How Lydia Deetz of ‘Beetlejuice’ Influenced the Goth Subculture

When Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice hit cinemas in 1988, the goth subculture was still in its youth, having only been around since the late 70s/early 80s. The scene was evolving and growing both in music and fashion, so for a figure like Lydia Deetz to pop up on the big screen, many black hearts in the audience must have stopped. How many teenage goths can you recall appearing in 80s films? While there may have been a few, none have left as lasting an impression as Winona Ryder’s macabre character. With the release of the sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, I thought it’d be fun to take a look at a few of the influences Lydia Deetz has had on the goth community.

Dark Fashion Sense

I have no doubt that many baby bats out there studied Lydia’s look studiously; I know I did. She dons black-on-black effortlessly, and the blood red lace gown she wears when she almost weds Beetlejuice screams Siouxsie Sioux! Even her midnight-colored locks evoke the backcombed, hair sprayed look popular during the time. Add to that her pale complexion and dark eyes and she embodies the trad goth look that emerged in the 80s. However, like any true goth, Lydia shows there’s more to the subculture than one’s appearance.

An Artist at Heart

Although the origins of goth are rooted in the music, the subculture is also recognized for its appreciation for the arts, literature and all things creative. Remember the scene where Lydia stands outside of the house taking pictures with her fancy camera? It’s one of the instances where we see her artistic side. She’s a budding photographer interested in the world around her. She’s a thoughtful soul and a romantic who has a way with words. It can’t be denied that she wrote quite an eloquent suicide note as sorrowful opera music played in the background:

“I am alone.” No, wait, scratch that.

“I am utterly alone. By the time you read this, I will be gone, having jumped…” Scratch that too.

“Having plummeted off the Winter River Bridge.”

No one does melancholy like a goth.

Gallows Humor

Speaking of Lydia having a way with words, she delivers some memorable, funny quotes throughout the film, all while keeping a straight face. It may appear us goths like to wallow in misery, but quite the opposite is true. We love a good laugh just like anyone else, but we tend to have a wicked sense of humor. Here are some of Lydia’s amusing lines:

• “Anyway, you can’t scare her. She’s sleeping with Prince Valium tonight.”
• “I’m not scared of sheets. Are you gross under there? Are you Night of the Living Dead under there? Like all bloody veins and pus?”
• “They wanted me to dissect a frog. I told them it was against my religion.”
• “I plan to have a stroke from the amount of MSG that’s in this food.”
• “Wait… what am I worried about, Otho, you can’t even change a tire.”

She Sees Dead People!

Okay, so not all goths have a sixth sense, but there is a fascination with death that permeates the subculture. Lydia, though, is able to see through the veil that separates the living from the departed and isn’t afraid when she discovers Barbara and Adam are deceased. Instead, the couple becomes more of a family to her than her own parents. And let’s not forget that Lydia also attracts the attention of Sir Beetlejuice. If you have the ability to charm dead guys, I bow down to thee.

Lydia Does Not Compromise Who She Is   

Lydia Deetz teaches us all, goth or not, an important lesson about staying true to ourselves. She embraces her unique nature. She definitely gets bonus points for being a dark alternative teen who attends a private school. If you’ve ever felt like the oddball because of how you look, your interests or the company you keep, remember you are not alone. When referring to the Handbook for the Recently Deceased, Lydia comments:

“It says, ‘live people ignore the strange and unusual.’ I myself am strange and unusual.”

Embrace your eccentricities to the fullest even if the normies don’t. I know I do.