Beetlejuice is one of Tim Burton's most beloved films and a staple of any Halloween fan's collection. The 1988 supernatural comedy follows a young couple, Adam and Barbara Maitland, who is tragically killed in an accident. However, their time as ghosts becomes more eventful than their actual lives when a new family moves into their home. Adam and Barbara try scaring them away but to no avail. They end up calling the bio-exorcist Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) for help, saying his name three times before he appears.
The film never thoroughly explains why Beetlejuice must be summoned in this way. However, the lore behind the film goes on to clarify this is because Betelgeuse prefers to make doubly -- triply? -- sure he is being called for. It almost acts like a contract to ensure his services are required.
Beetlejuice's Summoning Spell Coincides With the Film's Internal Logic
As well as being the number of times required for Beetlejuice to be summoned, the number three also follows the rest of the systems in the movie. After summoning Betelgeuse, they are transported into Adam Maitland's model of their town. When the couple realizes he may not be the best choice, Barbara says "home" three times, and they return to their attic.
The same can be said for entering the afterlife. However, rather than saying anything three times, the Maitlands have to draw a door and knock three times. Although there's no canon explanation for why the number three plays a significant role in Beetlejuice, certain parallels to the number add a spookier context.
'Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice' Serves as a Contract
Historically speaking, the number three has had various associations with the Devil. After all, 3 am is said to be the start of the devil's hour, and in the Bible, Jesus was tempted by Satan three times while he was in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights. While there is no evidence to prove that Betelgeuse or this version of the afterlife is demonic in origin, the explanation helps add a creepier layer to the film. Additionally, with Beetlejuice spending so much time dealing with the concept of life after death, the satanic connotations of the number three feel like a fitting inclusion to the overall lore.
No matter the explanation, Betelgeuse is, before anything else, a businessman. To him, saying his name three times is no different than signing multiple papers on a contract. His methods may be questionable, but it speaks to his character that he will always make sure a person is totally sure of their decision before doing anything. Even when he has to save the Maitlands in Beetlejuice's climax, he explains to Lydia what it will cost to help them. Once his terms were laid out, the only thing left was to utter his name three times.