Delia Deetz is a supporting character from Tim Burton's Beetlejuice and the tretagonist of the 2024 sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice . She is Charles Deetz's wife and the stepmother of Lydia Deetz. She is portrayed by Catherine O'Hara.
Background[]
Personality[]
Delia is portrayed as an overdramatic artist as well as a perfectionist. She is constantly criticizing her husband Charles and criticizes her step-daughter Lydia for being a Goth and for constantly complaining. Delia was very self-centered and put her own interests before her husband and step-daughter. She initially had no respect for the dead, proving as much when assuming the Maitlands hanged themselves and laughing at a remark about suicidal people spending the afterlife as civil servants. She seems blasé to the idea of turning her home into a glorified haunted house, even welcoming the idea as a means of gaining exposure for her art, until Otho uses the Maitland's handbook to cause the Maitlands to appear with the intent of exorcising them, though no one knows what that really means. When Delia sees Barbara and Adam, dressed in their wedding clothes and clearly in distress, she begins to have second thoughts. Trying to help, Lydia summons Beetlejuice, who causes two of Delia's sculptures to come to life, trapping herself and Charles who watch in horror as Lydia is forced to marry Beetlejuice. When the Maitlands succeed in banishing Beetlejuice, Delia and Charles are grateful to them for saving Lydia. Following this incident, Delia becomes accepting of the Maitlands and more of a mother figure to Lydia. Delia then becomes more adept at sculpting, even managing to make a replica of Beetlejuice's snake form.
Physical Appearance[]
Delia is a redhead with short hair, has blueish green eyes and bright red lipstick. She wears mostly black outfits with eccentric accessories and patterns. She also changes her hairstyle frequently, sometimes sporting a turban, a wig, or a headband.
Appearances[]
Beetlejuice[]
Delia is introduced as the wife of Charles Deetz, a wealthy real estate developer who buys the Maitland house after their deaths. Delia is unhappy with the move and wants to redecorate the house to suit her artistic taste. She hires Otho, a flamboyant interior designer and occultist, to help her with the renovation. She also clashes with Lydia, her gothic stepdaughter, who prefers the original style of the house and can see the ghosts of the Maitlands. Delia is unaware of the supernatural events happening in the house until she and Charles witness a bizarre dinner party where they are possessed by the Maitlands and forced to sing and dance to "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)" by Harry Belafonte. Delia is intrigued by the experience and tries to contact the ghosts but is unsuccessful. She later attends a séance organized by Otho, who uses the Maitland's handbook to summon their spirits. However, Otho unknowingly performs an exorcism, which causes the Maitlands to age rapidly and decay. Delia is horrified by the sight and regrets her actions. She is then attacked by two of her sculptures, which are animated by Beetlejuice, a mischievous and malevolent ghost who wants to marry Lydia. Delia and Charles are trapped inside the sculptures and can only watch as Beetlejuice terrorizes the guests and tries to wed Lydia. They are freed when the Maitlands intervene and stop Beetlejuice by saying his name three times. Delia and Charles then reconcile with the Maitlands and Lydia and agree to share the house peacefully. Delia also improves her relationship with Lydia, who becomes her muse and model for her sculptures. Delia also shows admiration for the Maitlands' work, and even makes a replica of Beetlejuice's snake form as a tribute.
Beetlejuice (cartoon)[]
Delia appears as a recurring character in the animated series, which is non canon to the films. She is still an artist but unlike the films she’s Lydia’s biological mother and not stepmother. She’s more friendly and supportive of her. She is also less antagonistic towards Beetlejuice, and often gets involved in their adventures. She is still oblivious to the fact that Lydia can see and interact with the ghosts, and often misinterprets their actions as artistic expressions. She also has a rivalry with Claire Brewster, a snooty neighbor who competes with her for social status and artistic recognition.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Delia Deetz was originally written as a more sympathetic and likable character, but director Tim Burton and actress Catherine O'Hara decided to make her more eccentric and over-the-top to contrast with the Maitlands and Lydia.
- Delia Deetz is one of the few characters who appear in both the film and the animated series, along with Lydia, Charles, and Beetlejuice. However, her appearance and personality are slightly different in each version.
- Delia Deetz is based on the real-life artist Cindy Sherman, who is known for her self-portraits in various costumes and settings.
- Delia Deetz is the only character who does not say Beetlejuice's name in the film.
External Links[]
- Delia Deetz at the Beetlejuice Wiki
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