Why You Must Say Beetlejuice’s Name Three Times
Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice (1988), a cult favourite and cherished Halloween classic, cemented its place in cinematic history with its inventive mythos and unique humour. The narrative centres on Adam and Barbara Maitland, a couple who die in a tragic accident and turn into ghosts. When a new family arrives at their house, their afterlife takes an odd turn. The Maitlands can’t frighten them away, so they call forth Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) by reciting his name three times. This seemingly straightforward rule is essential to the movie, yet neither the original nor its 2024 sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, explains why it was made.
Three has long been significant in mystical, religious, and cultural traditions. While many religions, including Hinduism’s Trimurti and Christianity’s Holy Trinity, relate the number to cosmic or divine forces, numerology links it to creativity, optimism, and limitless possibilities.
Image Courtesy: NPR
The number three is frequently used in mythology and folklore, as demonstrated by tales like Goldilocks and the Three Bears or genies who grant three wishes. Three witches appear in Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’, and the plot of Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’ is shaped by triads. With its iconic trios from Charmed, ‘Lord of the Rings’, and ‘Star Wars’, the pattern is still prevalent in contemporary pop culture.
The three-times rule has several uses in ‘Beetlejuice’. It reinforces the mystical elements of the movie while drawing the viewer into its whimsical realm. The Maitlands add layers of eerie symbolism by using the rule to escape situations as well as to call Beetlejuice. The film’s unsettling mood is heightened by the number three’s historical associations with the devil, which are linked to biblical temptations and 3 a.m., often known as the “devil’s hour.”
In the end, ‘Beetlejuice’ views his name as a contract, guaranteeing commitment and clarity before providing his erratic services. This timeless cliche has strengthened the movie’s reputation and deepened its quirky allure.
–Farheen Ali
