This post is going to make the assumption that you, the reader, are familiar with the film Beetlejuice. This post will contain spoilers! For a recap of the plot and characters, you can check out the Wikipedia page here. Of course, I would recommend watching the movie again, or for the first time. Then come back and tell me if I’m full of bug guts.
With Beetlejuice, once you strip out the horror and comedy and costumes, what you have is a movie about a Gen X character living in a Boomer world. I’m about to make the argument that Beetlejuice is Lydia’s story.
Below are the 4 main points to this argument.
Lydia has little control but a lot of responsibility
“I’ll make the presentation and Lydia will bring the ghosts.” – Delia Deetz
One determinant aspect of the Gen X generation is that they grew up during a time when adults were more focused on themselves than their children. Beetlejuice illustrates this dynamic more than any other Gen X movie.
Lydia is so ignored in her family that she immediately relates more closely to the ghosts in the house than to her parents. Her parents have uprooted her in a major move during her difficult teenage years, but never once, as far as we know, ask her how she is handling it or express the slightest concern. Instead, they are quite focused on their own adjustment. Delia Deetz is desperate to make her new house feel like home, adorning it with her unusual artwork, while Charles Deetz imagines, for a very short time, escaping the stress of a big city life and settling into the quiet country home.
Speaking of Lydia’s parents, recall that Delia is not Lydia’s mother but her stepmother. All the standard tropes are there. In fact, it seems Lydia is comfortable in this new strange place precisely because Delia is not. However, while Lydia is quick to correct Adam Maitland when he refers to Delia as her mother, Lydia does not ever correct Charles when he does the same. At no time is Lydia’s mother ever mentioned during this film by any character, signaling that even the nature of the family is defined entirely by Charles as opposed to reality.
When Charles and Delia eventually realize the ghosts of the Maitlands reside inside the home, they are inclined to exploit that fact for money and attention, and they fully expect Lydia to produce the spirit couple at convenient and lucrative times, despite Lydia’s contention that she is not able to do that.
Additionally, there are at least two times during the movie that Lydia believes, probably correctly, that she must sacrifice herself to resolve the situations created by the adults, and in the end, she is the character that ultimately establishes the framework for peace amongst the adult adversaries. Sort of a two-state solution, where the two states are living and dead.
Lydia is portrayed as strange but she is actually the only normal one
“I, myself, am strange and unusual.” – Lydia Deetz
Lydia claims that the reason she can see the Maitlands is because, while most people will ignore the strange and unusual, she does not because she identifies with this exact description. As proof, she expresses herself in a gothic style of black clothing, pale makeup, and an overall melancholy demeanor.
But in reality, Lydia is not unusual at all. It is not uncommon for teenagers to experience depression and to express it, especially under her particular circumstances. Her mother is absent, either through divorce or death, but she does not seem at liberty to discuss it. She has recently been moved to a new city where she knows no one. It’s a city that is wholly unfamiliar, not even similar to where she is from. Oh, and by the way, her house is haunted. And she is virtually entirely ignored in respect to all of that.
Though Lydia is not strange and actually quite typical, everyone else in this movie is, in fact, weird as shit.
Delia is obviously odd, in a misunderstood artist type of way. Both she and Charles are misfits in this small country town, but they seem weird even for big-city types. Just look at how they decorated the house, both inside and out! They fully intend to stand out. All their friends are strange, too. Not a one of them behaves in an expected way to the presence of ghosts or even to short-term possession.
Even the Maitlands don’t behave normally. For starters, it’s weird to build a miniature model of the town in your attic. It just is. But also, upon realizing they have died, their instinct is to hire a “bio-exorcist” to exorcise the living in an attempt to maintain control of living space after they are dead, rather than to move on themselves. What is this, Congress? It’s a very Boomer attitude to have, which brings me to my next point.
The Boomer characters dominate the story with all the worst stereotypical Boomer traits
“You have to take the upper hand in all situations, or people, whether they are dead or alive, will walk all over you.” – Delia Deetz
Boomers aren’t all bad, but this movie doesn’t do the image any favors. Some of the Boomer-aged characters are more likeable than others, but they all exhibit stereotypical traits. Mainly, each and every one of them is fighting for dominance over the others.
The Maitlands want their house back, even though they are no longer living. At one point, Barbara says, “I wouldn’t mind living with them if they were more like us.” Classic.
Meanwhile the Deetz’ want to exploit and control the Maitlands for profit. Charles, in fact, would like to capitalize on the entire town with his weirdo (see point #2) ideas, including erecting a talking Marcel Marceau statue. Marcel Marceau is famously a mime, if you weren’t aware.
In terms of minor characters, Otho steals the Handbook from his friends to try to gain control, which he confidently and stupidly uses wrong. And let’s not forget Jane, the real estate agent, who won’t let up trying to profit, again, from the sale of this house despite multiple rejections.
The main characters are all far too impatient to make good decisions. The Maitlands are warned against hiring Beetlejuice and told to get the Deetz’ out themselves by haunting them. Of course, they give up quite quickly. As do the Deetz’ when they have trouble accessing the attic, leaving Lydia to discover the Maitlands alone with her ingenuity and a screwdriver.
According to the Handbook, the living “won’t” see the dead, rather than “can’t”. While the Deetz’ are desperately trying to conjure up the Maitlands for the entertainment of their dinner guests, they never seem to realize that all it takes is willingness. So instead, they conduct a séance that does nothing but cause harm all around.
They are all selfish, self-centered, exploitative and stubborn.
The most Gen X of Gen X movies is one that is not recognized as a Gen X movie at all
“I’m tellin’ ya honey, she meant nothin’ to me. Nothin’ at all!” – Beetlejuice
And in the sea of Boomer main characters acting like Boomer main characters, exists the almost entirely ignored but oh so critical Gen Xer in a supporting role. While the Boomers are stereotypical, so is Lydia in her standard Gen X traits. She is independent, savvy, cynical, critical and unimpressed.
Lydia sets the stage, draws out the characters, watches them self-destruct and then provides the foundation for resolution. She reluctantly accepts her role and plays it as expected.
While trying to find out what happened to Lydia’s mom according to the internet, I came across a Reddit discussion about this very thing. One poster wrote that what happened to her mother isn’t important because the movie is about the Maitlands, not about Lydia.
And that sentiment, right there, is what makes Beetlejuice the most Gen X movie ever.
There’s lots more to see here, folks….
50 Popular Gen X Actors/Actresses of the 2020s
“Reality Bites”: A Movie Review
The King of the Hill Reboot Has A Generation Problem
Or just explore the site for fun and interesting Gen X in Midlife and other generational topics. To the Home Page!