With his sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, director Tim Burton brings back original Beetlejuice characters and introduces some new faces to the franchise – including modern horror icon, Jenna Ortega. Ortega’s role is exciting thanks to her growing reputation in the genre and proven star power. However, beyond her impact on the Beetlejuice sequel’s story, Ortega’s involvement creates a startling parallel with 90s horror legend Christina Ricci thanks to one particular scene. Given how Ortega’s career has mirrored Ricci’s in other ways, the connection is particularly intriguing.

While Ortega has featured in genre hits like Tai West’s X and the revitalized Scream series, perhaps her most recognizable role came in Burton’s Addams Family reboot, Wednesday. In the Netflix series, Ortega features as Wednesday Addams – the titular morose heroine. Since the role was made famous by Ricci’s portrayal in the 90s, it’s clear there is already a burgeoning connection between the two performers. However, thanks to one of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice‘s many Easter eggs, Ortega and Ricci now have an additional link, as one Ortega scene directly echoes a Ricci moment from the 90s horror comedy, Casper.

Jenna Ortega’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Role Puts A Dark Twist On An Iconic Casper Scene

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’s Ghostly Twist Is The Opposite To Casper’s Kiss Scene

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice references Casper‘s kiss scene when Astrid kisses her love interest, Jeremy. Both scenes involve a levitating kiss – already an unusual twist on a classic romantic trope – meaning that Ortega’s character directly echoes one of Ricci’s most famous on-screen moments. Astrid’s kiss with Jeremy appears romantic at first, putting Ortega into Ricci’s shoes once more and recalling the 1995 horror comedy’s touching finale. However, unlike Casper, Jeremy is not the “friendly ghost” that he seems to be, putting a dark twist on the original scene.

While the scenes look very similar, in context, Ortega’s kiss scene in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is almost the exact opposite to Ricci’s in Casper. Casper had a limited time to enjoy being alive again, after giving up his one chance at resurrection to Kat’s father, while Jeremy intends to trade places with Astrid, bringing himself back to life and condemning her to the afterlife. Casper’s reveal is a welcome surprise to Kat, while Jeremy’s reveal shows he has been lying to Astrid since their first meeting, though Beetlejuice Beetlejuice drops ghostly hints about his identity.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Further Proves Jenna Ortega Is A 2020s Horror Icon (Like Ricci In The 1990s)

Ricci Returned To Her Roots By Appearing In Wednesday

Ortega was already interested in horror movies from a comparatively young age, telling Vanity Fair that Child’s Play’s murderous doll Chucky scared her, but she forced herself to rewatch the movie, saying “I was interested in something that scared me.” Ortega appeared in Insidious: Chapter 2, and got mainstream acclaim for her roles as Tara in the Scream franchise and Lorraine in X, but it was her portrayal of Wednesday Addams that made Ortega stand out. Playing Astrid Deetz in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is another feather in her cap, bringing her on a par with previous horror stars like Ricci.

…Ricci branched out from horror, returning for dramatic projects with horror elements, like the cannibal thriller series Yellowjackets.

In the 1990s, Ricci’s portrayal of Wednesday Addams made her an instant horror icon, and she continued her streak with family-friendly horror movies like Casper and The Addams Family Values. She bridged the gap between campy horror and more intense drama with Sleepy Hollow, after which Ricci branched out from horror, returning for dramatic projects with horror elements, like the cannibal thriller series Yellowjackets. Ricci’s role in Wednesday as teacher Marilyn Thornbill has been a critically praised (and meta) return to her roots, with Ricci appearing alongside Ortega. With Beetlejuice Beetlejuice‘s kiss scene, the connection between the two is stronger than ever.

Source: Vanity Fair