DespiteTim Burton’s movies not being explicitly connected, they have made way for a variety of theories that find possible connections between them, such as one that links two of Winona Ryder’s most beloved Burton characters. Thanks to his blend of fantasy, horror, gothic elements, and comedy, Tim Burton has become one of the most popular filmmakers of his generation, and there’s always anticipation around his projects. Some ofTim Burton’s movieshave now become classics, and he has built his team of frequent collaborators over the years.
Tim Burton’s most frequent collaborators are composer Danny Elfman and actors Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, but there are some that, although not in many of his films, their performances were enough to leave an indelible mark. Such is the case for Winona Ryder, who, at the time of writing, has been part of four Tim Burton movies:Beetlejuice,Edward Scissorhands,Frankenweenie, andBeetlejuice Beetlejuice. Ryder has played some of the most beloved characters in Burton’s movies, and one theory brings two of them together, though some details are playing against it.
Tim Burton Theory Suggests Winona Ryder’s Lydia Deetz & Kim Boggs Are Related
Kim Boggs Could Have Been Lydia Deetz’s Grandmother
Winona Ryder’s first collaboration with Tim Burton was in the dark fantasy comedyBeetlejuice, in 1988.Ryder played Lydia Deetz, the teenage goth daughter of Charles Deetz, who moved into the Maitlands’ house in Winter River, Connecticut, with her father and her stepmother, Delia (Catherine O’Hara). Lydia was the only living person who could see the ghosts of Barbara (Geena Davis) and Adam Maitland (Alec Baldwin), with whom she ended up bonding and becoming close friends.Lydia described herself as “strange and unusual”, and had an affinity for all things dark and mysterious.
Beetlejuicewas the first proper look at Burton’s narrative and visual style and was a critical and commercial hit. Burton and Ryder teamed up again two years later inEdward Scissorhands, where she played Kim Boggs.Edward Scissorhandsis the story of the title character (played by Johnny Depp), who was created by a lonely inventor but was never finished, leaving him with scissors instead of hands. Edward was found by Peg Boggs (Diane Wiest), who took him home with her, and there she met Kim, with whom he fell in love.
What Happened To Lydia Deetz’s Mother In Beetlejuice?
Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice finally gives an answer regarding the fate of Lydia Deetz’s mother, but still leaves some mysteries to be solved.
Despite Lydia and Kim being two completely different characters, a theory shared onRedditsuggestsKim is Lydia’s grandmother. At the end ofEdward Scissorhands, Kim, now a grandmother, is revealed to be the elderly woman at the beginning of the movie telling Edward’s story to her granddaughter. The author of the theory suggests the granddaughter was a young Lydia, who became fascinated with the story of Edward and her grandma, and that’s how her love for all things dark and goth began.
Edward Scissorhands’ Time Setting Is Unclear
There Are Conflicting Clues About Edward Scissorhands’ Time Setting
It’s understood that the scenes with an elderly Kim are set in the yearEdward Scissorhandswas released, meaning 1990. However,the rest of the movie’s time setting is never specified, and it’s hard to deduce when it could be set as there are various yet conflicting clues. The look of the houses, the clothes worn by the Boggs’ neighbors, their hairstyles, and the telephones are just a couple of details that hint atEdward Scissorhandstaking place in the 1950s, but others, like the VCRs, the aerobics classes, and more are reminiscent of the 1980s.
This inconsistency and mystery in the time setting ofEdward Scissorhandscan benefit the theory.
The truth is that neither setting would be accurate, as even if it was set in the 1950s, Kim looked a lot older than she should have been. This inconsistency and mystery in the time setting ofEdward Scissorhandscan benefit the theory as it would be easy to set it whenever it’s most convenient to make Lydia the granddaughter, but it can also play against the theory and completely debunk it.
This Tim Burton Theory Creates Another Connected Universe Within His Movies
There’s Already A Tim Burton Shared Universe Theory
Supposing the theory about Lydia and Kim being related is true, this would create another connected universe within Tim Burton’s movies, as it doesn’t fit the main one. There’s a popular theory that brings togetherThe Nightmare Before Christmas,Frankenweenie, andCorpse Bride, as it’s believed they tell the life and afterlife of a dog and its owner. Clearly, neitherBeetlejuicenorEdward Scissorhandsfits into this theory, but they might in another one connecting the latter andSweeney Todd.
The Nightmare Before Christmaswas directed by Henry Selick and based on a story by Tim Burton.
Also shared onReddit,the theory suggests Edward’s inventor was a big fan of Sweeney Todd, so he based Edward on him – from the very pale skin to the messy black hair. In a twisted turn, Edward with his scissorhands started making a living out of cutting hair, very much like Sweeney Todd (minus killing his customers to turn them into pies). Lydia and Kim being related could be added to this theory as another level of connection betweenTim Burton’s movies, but ultimately, it’s up to every viewer to decide if these theories make sense or not.
Source:Reddit.
Beetlejuice
Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice stars Michael Keaton as the titular “bio-exorcist”, an obnoxious spirit who specializes in driving living occupants out of homes. When Barbara (Geena Davis) and Adam Maitland (Alec Baldwin) die suddenly, they pass into the spirit realm, and must stay in their home. However, in the living world, the Deetz family purchases the house and moves in, prompting the Maitlands to enlist the help of Beetlejuice to drive them away.
Edward Scissorhands
From director Tim Burton, Edward Scissorhands follows the titular character, an artificial human created by an inventor, who has scissor blades instead of fingers. After his creator’s death, Edward is taken in by a normal suburban family and becomes attracted to the family’s teenage daughter, Kim Boggs. Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder star as Edward and Kim.
