Eternal Bourgeoisie: The Bureaucracy of Life and Death in Beetlejuice | Minisode w/ Maegan

Beetlejuice is rich in its in-your-face symbolism and serves as a horror-comedy critique about the effects capitalism and consumerism have had on our lives  to the extent bureaucracy follows us beyond death.  It presents a whimsical and darkly comedic exploration of the bureaucracy of life and death. Through its imaginative portrayal of the afterlife and the intricate workings of the bureaucratic system governing it, Beetlejuice satirizes the rigidity, inefficiency, and absurdity of bureaucratic institutions. By juxtaposing the supernatural realm with the mundane aspects of bureaucracy, the film invites reflection on the complexities and frustrations of navigating the rules and regulations that govern our existence.

The Clever Ghouls podcast, hosted by Maegan and Blair, is a show dedicated to watching, analyzing, and discussing the movies that make us think about them long after we’ve left the theater or turned off the TV. We bring quick wit and unique perspectives from backgrounds like art history, cinematography, psychology, analysis, public education, mysticism, mythos, and more to create a curated, inclusive conversation around the spooky movies we love. Tune in on your favorite podcast hosting platform to listen along, join the conversation, and chime in with your own observations!

Our intro and outro music was created for us by Josh Marshall. For more episodes and other spooky content, find us on your favorite social media platform through our handle: @CleverGhouls. Don’t forget to subscribe and share, and if you really like our content, please leave us a review. Or we’ll haunt you forever. Thanks for listening!