Renowned gothic filmmaker Tim Burton has returned with a sequel to the 1988 film Beetlejuice, which catapulted Winona Ryder to fame as the iconic goth character Lydia Deetz. In Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Ryder reprises her role, joined by newcomer Jenna Ortega—offering a unique perspective on how goth girls are portrayed across generations. Lydia Deetz, one of the earliest mainstream goth characters, had a significant influence on alternative teens in the late 1980s. The original Beetlejuice debuted the same year as another gothic horror comedy, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. While Cassandra Peterson’s Elvira was famously seductive, Lydia was a relatable role model who balanced style, empathy, and innocence. Every aspect of Lydia’s appearance was memorable—from her spiky bangs and black sunhat to her red tulle wedding dress and SLR camera accessory. Costume designer Aggie Guerard Rodgers drew from contemporary goth subculture, adding unique twists to make Lydia’s look feel, in Lydia’s words, “strange and unusual.”
Ryder’s career continued to be marked by edgy, gothic-tinged roles, and her early 1990s relationship with actor Johnny Depp made them an iconic goth celebrity duo. Since Beetlejuice, the archetype of the goth girl has become entrenched in popular culture, especially within comics and animation. An early example is the character Death from Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman, recently portrayed by Kirby Howell-Baptiste in the Netflix adaptation. Goth girls are also prominent in manga and anime, and there was even a 1990s animated TV spinoff of Beetlejuice centered on Lydia.
The origins of goth girls trace back to the heroines of 18th and 19th-century gothic novels, who often straddled the line between childhood and adulthood. Characters like Emily St Aubert from Ann Radcliffe’s The Mysteries of Udolpho embodied traits such as artistic sensitivity and imaginative tendencies, often set in eerie, haunted settings. Jane Austen parodied this type in Northanger Abbey through Catherine Morland, who fancied herself part of a gothic tale.
Lydia’s character famously says, “My whole life is one big, dark room,” highlighting how her life aligns with gothic themes. Modern portrayals of goth girls blend cuteness with macabre elements, challenging or satirizing conventions by combining whimsy with horror. These characters appeal to many young women by simultaneously embracing and defying traditional femininity, providing a powerful model for navigating adolescence.
However, most representations of goth girls do not explore their adult lives. These characters often remain perpetually youthful or conclude their stories with marriage or death. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice breaks this mold by showcasing two generations of goth women. Lydia now hosts a paranormal talk show similar to Most Haunted and is the mother of a rebellious teen named Astrid, played by Ortega.
Ortega has become this generation’s equivalent of Ryder, especially with her leading role in Netflix’s Wednesday, a modern take on The Addams Family character. Off-screen, Ortega’s “goth-glam” style fuses designer labels with a gothic aesthetic, creating a personal brand that resonates deeply on social media, surpassing the goth personas of 1990s stars like Ryder or Christina Ricci.
Many original goths from the 1980s and 1990s have aged within their subculture, maintaining their style, musical tastes, and leisure activities even as they marry and start families. Sociologist Paul Hodkinson’s research at the Whitby Goth Weekend in 2010 revealed that many goths have integrated subcultural elements into their adult lives.
Winona Ryder’s portrayal of the older Lydia Deetz in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice reflects these enduring goth identities. Lydia’s mature goth style remains true to her younger self but is adapted for adulthood. The film highlights female relationships, showing reconciliation between Lydia and her stepmother Delia, played by Catherine O’Hara. The narrative suggests that one can maintain a goth identity while forming healthier family bonds—offering a fresh portrayal of the goth family.