The following contains spoilers for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, now playing in theatersJeremy's backstory, interest in Astrid Deetz, and ultimate fate in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice are quietly vital to the film's plot. Ahead of the release of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, little had been revealed about Jeremy. Played by Arthur Conti, Jeremy appears in the aftermath of the funeral for the dead Charles Deetz, whose demise sets off the events of the film. Initially set up as a possible love interest for Astrid, Jeremy turns out to have a connection to the supernatural and is the one who ultimately proves to Astrid that her mother hadn't been making up all of her various supernatural encounters.

Jeremy initially seems like a straightforward addition to ending of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

How Jeremy Died In Beetlejuice Beetlejuice & How Old He Is

Jeremy Died Years Before The Events Of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Dying decades prior to the events of the film, Jeremy is one of the antagonists of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and an unexpected wrinkle in the film's plot. Jeremy hails from the small town of Winter River, which was the setting of Beetlejuice. According to the teen, he perished 23 years before the events of the new film. Given that his unaging ghostly form is 16 or 17, this suggests that Jeremy is actually about 40 years old. When Jeremy meets Astrid in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, he's in his treehouse. Jeremy implies it is his sanctuary from his abusive parents and their arguments.

After Astrid discovers he's a ghost, Jeremy reveals that he eventually fell out of the treehouse and broke his neck in the fall, killing him. However, Jeremy specifically leaves out some important details about his death that reveal a great bit more about his personality. It turns out Jeremy was in the treehouse that fateful night because he was hiding from the police. During the ensuing stand-off, Jeremy slipped and fell from the tree. The entire stand-off came about in the first place because Jeremy brutally murdered his parents, with the movie steadily revealing he's a cold and confident killer.

Jeremy's Backstory Explained: Why He Killed His Parents As A Teenager

Jeremy Was An Urban Legend For His Vicious Actions

Jeremy's backstory is initially only discovered by Lydia, who hears about the whole story from the local realtor. It turns out she's been struggling to sell the "murder house" for years, but no one will purchase it. This is likely because Jeremy isn't the only ghost haunting the building. When Lydia arrives on the scene to rescue Astrid, she discovers the ghosts of Jeremy's parents still playing out their lives. Given the slovenly appearance of Jeremy's father, his stories about trying to escape him might not have been entirely fabricated. However, Jeremy's suburban mother is a seemingly more cheerful character.

Jeremy's mother walks around the house with a pleasant deposition and a baking utensil lodged in her eye. She seems to sweet, casting doubt on his parents both being so aggressive. The personality Jeremy displays after his scheme is exposed, coupled with the stories of him being bad news that evolved into an urban legend across Winter River, suggests that Jeremy may have effectively been a budding predaotr and serial liar who died before he could start targeting people outside his orbit. His death may have been a blessing in disguise, and one he seeks to undo in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

Jeremy's Plan With Astrid In Beetlejuice 2 Explained

Jeremy's Scehme Woud Have Restored His Life

One of the big twists in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the reveal of Jeremy's plans. After lulling Astrid into a false sense of security and playing up his "sensitive side" to win her over, Jeremy kisses her and then tricks her into reciting a particular incantation from the Handbook for the Recently Deceased. The spell allows someone to trade places with a deceased soul, replacing them in the afterlife. Jeremy's lies work, and Astrid ends up tricked into believing she could see her father Richard. She agrees to help — unaware that this plan would restore Jeremy and leave her gone forever.

In essence, Jeremy would replace Astrid on Earth, and would be given carte blanche to carry out any dark desires he's developed in his time as a ghost. Jeremy's plan almost works too, as he's able to usher Astrid through much of the initial afterlife bureaucracy before Lydia can catch up. Lydia is barely able to keep her daughter from taking the train to the Great Beyond, and even with the help of Astrid's father Richard they can only watch as Jeremy seemingly completes the process. However, Betelgeuse's intervention throws off his plan and dooms Jeremy instead, ultimately saving Astrid.

Where Did Jeremy Go In Beetlejuice 2? What His Fate Is In The Afterlife

Jeremy's Fate Proves Beetlejuice's World Has A Hell

While the afterlife of Beetlejuice seems open to plenty of unexpected returns and absurd rules, there does some to be some final fates awaiting the souls. As opposed to the Soul Train that carries people to the Great Beyond or the apparent years spent toiling away in the underworld civil service, Jeremy's fate suggests that an equivalent of hell exists in this world. After tricking Jeremy and catching him by surprise, Betelgeuse is able to pull a trap door and send him falling into pits of fire. Jeremy doesn't appear in the film's climax, suggesting this is his final fate.

This may not be the end for Jeremy as an entity, though. The flaming pits may simply be a dark equivalent to the Great Beyond, serving as a final resting place for souls who've earned the ire of powerful figures like Betelgeuse. It's notable that such a punishment does exist, yet villainous figures like Betelgeuse and Delores find themselves also condemned there. The film also establishes a difference between the dead and permanently dead, as seen with the victims of Delores' soul-sucking ability. Jeremy's plans may have fallen apart in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, but he didn't suffer the film's worst fate.