Wait, Is Jenna Ortega's Character Dead In Beetlejuice 2? (2024)

Beetlejuice 2 officially dropped its full trailer, but the footage seems to imply that Jenna Ortega's new character, Astrid, could be dead for a portion of the movie. Ortega is one of the newcomers in Beetlejuice 2's cast, where she will portray the teenage daughter of Winona Ryder's Lydia Deetz. Initially, it was believed that Lydia is the one to summon Beetlejuice for a mysterious reason. However, the Beetlejuice 2 full trailer suggests that the rebellious Astrid goes against her mother's warning, summoning the "trickster demon" after saying his name three times.

Following Warner Bros' release of the Beetlejuice 2 teaser featuring the first look at Michael Keaton's return as Beetlejuice after 36 years, the full trailer gives more insight into the bio-exorcist's big comeback. It also shows off new characters, including Monica Bellucci, Willem Dafoe, and Justin Theroux. Beetlejuice 2's trailer also confirms a Danny DeVito cameo, setting up a clever Tim Burton reunion. Still, many eyes will be on Jenna Ortega's character. While Astrid finally learns of Beetlejuice and his past with the Deetz family, it seems like her fate in Burton's sequel could include a major twist.

Jenna Ortega's Astrid Looks Dead In Beetlejuice 2's Full Trailer

For much of the Beetlejuice 2 trailer, Astrid discusses the death of Charles Deetz and discovers more details about Beetlejuice. However, in the footage's second half, she's shown to be what looks like the Neitherworld. More importantly, Ortega's Beetlejuice 2 character's appearance seems to suggest that she's dead. The makeup convincingly indicates that the character is supposed to emulate a member of the deceased. The quick glimpse at Lydia and Astrid running from the sandworm also supports this notion by giving a better look at the young character. An elaborate costume is the easy explanation, but there's more evidence for a grim twist.

How Beetlejuice 2 Trailer Further Hints That Jenna Ortega's Astrid Is Dead

For now, there's no actual confirmation that Jenna Ortega's Beetlejuice 2 character will end up dead in the sequel. Her appearance could be a Halloween costume or a nod to Barbara's wedding dress in the original movie. Granted, the trailers released thus far provide more evidence to support the possible death. For one, Lydia questions whether the living and the dead can coexist. The question sounds like a hot topic for her TV program but may also be a major theme of Beetlejuice 2.

If Astrid does end up dead based on her appearance among other members of the afterlife, Lydia could find herself exploring a way for her daughter to live a more normal life despite the fact that she's dead, or at least something more normal than what Adam and Barbara experienced. Then there's Astrid's line in the full trailer: "Sometimes I think life is harder," which is in response to Lydia's proclamation that "death is hard." Astrid's response is concerning and elicits a worrying look from her mother. Although, it's important to note that Lydia had the same sort of outlook on life when she was a teenager, so the grim view of the world obviously runs in the family.

With all that said, Astrid's comment and potential death could be a risk for Beetlejuice 2, considering the implication that being dead is better off. Surely, that's not the message the movie would want to run with again, but if there's another way to spin Astrid's fate, it could make for a massive twist.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Comedy

Supernatural

Release Date

September 6, 2024

Studio(s)

KatzSmith Productions , Tim Burton Productions , Warner Bros. Pictures , Plan B Entertainment

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Writers

Mike Vukadinovich

Cast

Michael Keaton , Jenna Ortega , Winona Ryder , Monica Bellucci , Willem Dafoe , Justin Theroux , Catherine O'Hara