Characters
We're not completely helpless, Barbara. I've been reading that book and there's a word for people in our situation: ghosts.
— Adam · Beetlejuice
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
The speaker offers a bit of wry comfort: after reading up, they've found there is a name for people in their predicament. The reveal that the name is "ghosts" turns the encouraging setup into a deadpan, darkly comic acknowledgment of their state.
Context reviewed