Delia’s Unique Payback to Lydia in Beetlejuice 2: Expect the Unexpected

In the original Beetlejuice film, the relationship between Delia and her teenage stepdaughter Lydia (portrayed by Catherine O’Hara and Winona Ryder respectively) was characterized by a passive-aggressive rivalry that stemmed from their contrasting personalities. Lydia, a goth teen struggling with her sense of identity amidst the bustle of New York City, found little common ground with Delia, an artistic spirit seeking the approval of New York’s elite. This conflict laid the groundwork for a saga that continues to unfold in Beetlejuice 2.

Fast forward to the sequel, where the antagonistic dynamic evolves significantly. Despite the past friction, Lydia and Delia appear to forge a more amicable relationship. Lydia credits her newfound fame for this shift, while Delia playfully points out that her appreciation for Lydia began long before that. Yet, Delia cleverly alludes to the turmoil of their past, reminding Lydia of the torment she endured as a teenager, leaving the door open for a subtle yet powerful narrative of payback.

Delia’s Subtle Payback in Beetlejuice 2

Delia’s Silence on the Truth

Delia, Astrid, and Lydia looking at the ground in Beetlejuice 2 — Warner Bros. Pictures

Throughout Beetlejuice 2, the emotional resonance between Lydia and her daughter Astrid (played by Jenna Ortega) mirrors the struggles Lydia once faced with Delia. Astrid battles her own skepticism about Lydia’s past experiences, particularly regarding her encounters with Betelgeuse and the Maitlands’ ghosts. Rather than stepping in to clarify these supernatural claims, Delia allows them to manage their disputes independently.

Delia’s choice to remain silent allows an intriguing narrative to unfold. Lydia lacks a tangible way to prove her abilities to Astrid, despite Delia’s first-hand knowledge of the supernatural incidents involving Betelgeuse and the Maitlands. By permitting Astrid to cultivate her own misunderstandings, Delia indirectly exacts a form of payback, observing as Astrid navigates her own teenage feelings of resentment towards Lydia.

Astrid’s Afterlife Journey: A Catalyst for Reconciliation

Delia’s Role in the Complex Dynamic

While their fraught relationship presents challenges, it ultimately paves the way for a rich, emotional narrative central to Beetlejuice 2. The depth of Lydia and Astrid’s struggles makes their eventual growth not just believable, but profoundly satisfying. Rather than having Delia intervene to mend their relationship, the journey through the afterlife that Lydia undertakes to rescue her daughter proves to be a much more impactful means of reconciliation.

Unfortunately, Delia’s fate in Beetlejuice 2 means she doesn’t witness the repair of the Deetz women’s relationship. The issues between Astrid and Lydia run deeper than mere disbelief in Lydia’s ghost-seeing abilities. Ultimately, the climax of their story arc involves confronting their differences directly—culminating in moments of emotional support, guidance from Richard about reconciliation, and Lydia’s commitment to prioritize their relationship over her previous endeavors in the Ghost House. Ironically, Delia’s absence at this pivotal moment leaves her out of the resolution she seemingly facilitated.

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