The cinematic afterlife comes in many forms. Some films, like “What Dreams May Come,” “The Tree of Life,” and “Coco,” show us reunited with loved ones in poetic, expansive realms. Others, like “Ghost” and “The Lovely Bones,” keep their heroes in limbo, tying up loose ends before moving on.
But what if the afterlife is as frustrating as life itself? What if we must navigate the same bureaucratic mess that bogs us down here? This idea fuels a subgenre of funny, philosophical films, from courtroom comedies like “A Matter of Life and Death” and “Defending Your Life” to the grungy black comedy of “Wristcutters: A Love Story” or the existential chess game in Bergman’s “The Seventh Seal.”
In these films, the afterlife is negotiable. The heroes push back against a moral authority deciding their fate and take on the system that sets out to judge them. These movies can feel cynical at first glance, but they carry an optimistic streak in their rebelliousness: They reject the idea that anyone has the right to say whether or not our lives were “well” lived but ourselves.
It is a concept that continues to fascinate audiences and filmmakers alike. “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” the sequel to Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice,” opens this week at The Triplex, 36 years after the original. Both films feature a vision of the underworld full of waiting rooms, rulebooks, and red tape that are gleefully torn apart by Michael Keaton’s titular demon.
There is a comfort in returning to this cinematic version of death. It is a reminder that even while life might feel out of our control, the afterlife is still up for grabs.
Now Playing
“Seven Samurai”
The classic action saga returns to the big screen.
One of the most influential movies of all time comes to The Triplex in a new restoration! The story of a ragtag team of samurai teaming up to protect a village from bandits, Akira Kurosawa’s “Seven Samurai” plays from September 6 to 12 as part of The Triplex’s Limited Engagement series.
“Between the Temples”
A mid-life coming-of-age comedy with Jason Schwartzman and Carol Kane.
As a 40-something cantor struggles with losing his voice and failing to meet the expectations of his rabbi, congregation, and not one but two Jewish mothers, his world turns upside down when his grade school music teacher re-enters his life as an adult bat mitzvah student. Powered by the winning chemistry of stars Jason Schwarzman and Carol Kane, “Between the Temples” is a character-driven comedy that explores the complexities of faith, connection, and what it means to be a mensch.
“Didi”
An award-winning coming-of-age comedy from Director Sean Wang.
Winner of the audience award at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, “Didi” is an authentic ode to coming of age in the internet era. Director Sean Wang’s semi-autobiographical debut follows a 13-year-old Chris as he learns to skate, flirt, and appreciate everything that his mother (Joan Chen) has done for him over the course of his last summer before high school.
Coming Soon
“Good One”
When 17-year-old Sam sets out on a hike in the Catskills with her dad and his best friend, long simmering tensions begin to arise between friends and family, raising questions about maturity, responsibility, and what it means to be a “good one.” Driven by a star-making turn from Lily Colias, “Good One” plays as part of The Triplex’s Limited Engagement series from September 13 through 19.
“Geraldine Ferraro: Paving the Way”
As we make our way through another historic election season, we are examining the legacy of a truly trailblazing politician in “Geraldine Ferraro: Paving the Way.” Director Donna Zaccaro will join us on September 15 to discuss her documentary about her mother, the congresswoman, journalist, and author who was the first woman to be nominated for vice president by a major American political party.
“Desperately Seeking Susan”
Director Susan Seidelman will join us for a Q&A after a screening of her classic comedy “Desperately Seeking Susan,” the madcap story of mistaken identity starring Rosana Arquette and Madonna (in her acting debut), on September 20. After the talkback, Susan will join us in the lobby for a signing of her new book “Desperately Seeking Something: A Memoir About Movies, Mothers, and Material Girls.”
“Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold”
A celebration of the legendary author and essayist, The Triplex is honored to have Director Griffin Dunne join us for a screening of his documentary about his late aunt, “Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold,” on September 21. Combining archival footage with an in-depth interview of Didion, Dunne paints a portrait of one of the most profound writers of the last 60 years.
After the movie, Griffin will join us for a talkback and signing of his new book “The Friday Afternoon Club,” his memoir of growing up among larger-than-life characters in Hollywood and Manhattan.
“An American Werewolf in London”
The Triplex is screening “An American Werewolf in London” with the “walking meatloaf” himself: Griffin Dunne joins us to introduce John Landis’ classic horror-comedy on September 21! Featuring the Oscar-winning makeup effects of Rick Baker, “Werewolf” follows two American backpackers who, after encountering a werewolf in the moors, get transformed into a ravenous werewolf (David Naughton) and an animated, decaying corpse (Dunne).
