Warning! This article contains major spoilers for Beetlejuice 2!
After being ignored in Tim Burton’s original 1988 movie, Beetlejuice 2 Finally, the fate of Lydia Deets’s mother is mentioned. When the Dietz family members initially moved into the Winter River House in BeetlejuiceIt was confirmed that the small clan consisted of the teenager Lydia Dets (Winona Ryder), her father Charles Dets (Jeffrey Jones), and her stepmother Delia Dets (Catherine O’Hara). however, The fate of Lydia’s mother and the reasons why the teen moved to live only with Charles are never discussedLeaving a great mystery about the dynamics of the family.
Now that Lydia and Delia have returned in Beetlejuice 2The main cast of characters, some more pieces of the Deetz family puzzle are finally being put together. As Lydia discusses the hardships of her own teenage daughter, Astrid (Jena Ortega), “hating” her, Delia remarks that Lydia treats her similarly at this age. The two debt women mention how Lydia’s mother indirectly contributed to their strained relationship in the 1988 movie, with Delia at one point even implying that Lydia’s mother had died. Lydia immediately corrects Delia and says that her mother is not deadBut don’t forget to mention what exactly happened to you.
Lydia’s mother is still alive in Beetlejuice 2 – what happened to her?
Beetlejuice 2 avoids answering where exactly Lydia’s mother is today
After decades of mystery surrounding the fate of Lydia Detz’s mother, Beetlejuice 2 Finally confirms that she is alive. However, Lydia’s mother still is not given a name and does not actually appear in the sequel. Considering the fate of Lydia’s mother has been a burning question since the 1988 movie was released, it’s reassuring that Beetlejuice 2 Confirms that she is alive while mentioning her in an organic way in the sequel. There have long been theories that Lydia’s mother is dead because she’s gone, so Beetlejuice 2 Confirming her survival by outright denying her death is a big nod to this long-standing fan speculation.
Lydia tells Delia in Beetlejuice 2 That she resented her stepmother as a teenager replacing her own mother, but that may have come from a place of Lydia being neglected and abandoned by her father.
Since Lydia’s mother is not yet included in Beetlejuice 2s plot and is absent from Charles Deetz’s funeral and Lydia’s almost second marriage, it seems that they do not have a close relationship. Lydia’s mother is seemingly absent from her lifeJust like she was when Lydia was a teenager. Lydia tells Delia in Beetlejuice 2 That she resented her stepmother as a teenager replacing her own mother, but that may have come from a place of Lydia being neglected and abandoned by her father. Although not confirmed, it is implied that she prioritized her new life over raising teenage Lydia after divorcing Charles.
in the Beetlejuice The Musical In the Broadway adaptation, Lydia’s mother is revealed to have died before the Deets moved to Winter River. However, this musical is not canon to the movies.
Beetlejuice 2 still doesn’t explain why Lydia didn’t live with her mother as a teenager
Why didn’t Lydia’s mother have custody of her in Beetlejuice?
Although it is now confirmed that Lydia’s mother is alive, Beetlejuice 2 Does not give any additional information about why teenage Lydia moved to Winter River full-time with only Charles and Delia. It is implied that Lydia was only raised by her father and stepmother – and, of course, the Maitlands by Beetlejuices 1988 ending – but apparently does not visit or have much communication with her mother. Since Lydia’s mother was alive, it’s Perhaps she moved far away but after having contact with Lydia, Charles felt she was better suited to raise LydiaOr tragically, the family leaves to start a new life altogether.