Jenna Ortega’s ascent in Hollywood over the past five years has been remarkable, marking her as one of the industry’s most prominent young stars. While she began with various child acting roles, including appearances on the Disney Channel, her career truly accelerated when she transitioned into more mature and darker roles. Her performances in Netflix’s psychological thriller You and the horror sequel The Babysitter: Killer Queen in 2020 caught significant attention.
Ortega’s breakthrough came in 2021 with the school shooting drama The Fallout, where she portrayed a traumatized survivor, earning widespread critical praise. This recognition positioned her as a compelling actor capable of handling emotionally intense characters.
Expanding Her Horror Credentials and Cult Status
In 2022, Ortega strengthened her profile within the horror genre, starring in the fifth installment of the Scream franchise and Ti West’s retro-gore film X. The latter was the first part of a trilogy that highlighted the talents of both Ortega and co-star Mia Goth, signalling Ortega’s emergence as a major talent in horror cinema.
Following appearances in the eclectic horror-comedy Studio 666 by Foo Fighters and the dark comedy American Carnage later that year, Ortega earned the label of the “It-girl” of horror. She embraced this identity by taking the lead in Netflix’s Addams Family spin-off series, Wednesday.
Starring in Netflix’s Record-Breaking ‘Wednesday’ Series
Wednesday became a major success for Ortega, becoming Netflix’s most-watched show ever, featuring an ensemble cast of veteran actors and four episodes directed by Tim Burton. The series’ rich production values and engrossing characters captivated audiences, with its second season continuing that popularity.
Ortega’s role earned her Golden Globe and Emmy nominations, cementing her status as a leading actress in contemporary television. Despite these accomplishments, she chose an unconventional path for her next major project.
Controversial Role in “Miller’s Girl” and Its Impact
In a bold career move, Ortega starred in the 2024 film Miller’s Girl, a provocative drama about an unsettling relationship between a college student and her much older creative writing professor, played by Martin Freeman. The 34-year age gap between their characters sparked controversy and mixed reactions online upon release.
Ortega remained unfazed by the backlash, telling Vanity Fair,
“It’s not supposed to be a comfortable movie. It’s supposed to be awful at times. Art isn’t always meant to be pleasant or happy, and everyone skips off into the sunset at the end. We all have fucked-up experiences at one point or another.”
— Jenna Ortega, Actress
Despite not achieving major box office success, Miller’s Girl made a modest profit. Critics delivered mixed reviews, and Martin Freeman clarified that the film was not an endorsement of the relationship it portrayed.
Future Projects and Continued Career Momentum
Ortega’s work in Miller’s Girl did not hinder her momentum; she quickly secured a role in the highly anticipated sequel to Beetlejuice later in 2024. Additionally, she is slated to appear in several prominent upcoming films, including the Taika Waititi-directed sci-fi adaptation Klara and the Sun and JJ Abrams’ ambitious science-fiction movie The Great Beyond, set for release in November.
With these varied and high-profile projects on the horizon, Jenna Ortega continues to solidify her position as a versatile and daring figure in entertainment, leveraging her career rise to explore complex characters and challenging material.
