Jenna Ortega has earned widespread recognition for her captivating portrayal of Wednesday Addams in the hit Netflix series Wednesday. Recently, Netflix announced the start of production for the show’s highly anticipated second season, sparking excitement among fans eager to see Ortega back on screen.
Ortega’s acting career began at the age of 11, and since then, she has built an impressive portfolio, starring in a diverse range of films and TV shows. Known for her roles in several iconic horror films, she’s earned the nickname “scream queen” for her ability to bring depth to the genre.
With her versatile performances across various genres, Ortega has proven time and again that she’s much more than just a horror star. This article takes a closer look at some of her standout roles, celebrating her talent ahead of the Wednesday season 2 premiere.
5 Best Film Performances by Jenna Ortega
1) The Fallout (2022)
The Fallout features one of the best performances by Jenna Ortega in her career. She stars in the role of Vada Cavell, a school student dealing with the aftermath of a horrific shooting incident in her school. She develops a bond with fellow survivor Mia (Maddie Ziegler) as they deal with the trauma of the shooting.
The official synopsis of the film reads—
“High schooler Vada navigates the emotional fallout she experiences in the wake of a school tragedy. Relationships with her family, friends and view of the world are forever altered.”
2) X (2022)
X is one of the best slasher films in recent times, directed by Ti West. Ortega stars in the role of Lorraine Day, the girlfriend of the screenwriter of an adult film. She put in a commendable performance as a supporting actor. The success of the film led to the formation of a trilogy with the third film MaXXXine set to release on July 5, 2024.
The synopsis of X reads—
“In 1979, a group of young filmmakers set out to make an adult film in rural Texas, but when their reclusive, elderly hosts catch them in the act, the crew find themselves fighting for their lives.”
3) Scream (2022)
The Scream sequel is set 25 years after the events of the original film. It reunited Sidney (Neve Campbell), Gale (Courteney Cox), and Dewey (David Arquette) with the Carpenter sisters Tara (Jenna Ortega) and Sam (Melissa Barrera). The reboot film of the popular franchise saw Ortega ease into her role, as the characters navigated life-or-death situations to unmask the latest Ghostface Killer.
The synopsis of the film reads—
“25 years after a streak of brutal murders shocked the quiet town of Woodsboro, Calif., a new killer dons the Ghostface mask and begins targeting a group of teenagers to resurrect secrets from the town’s deadly past.”
4) The Babysitter: Killer Queen (2020)
Ortega plays the role of Phoebe Atwell in the sequel to Netflix’s hit horror comedy Babysitter. She plays the role of a new student at Cole’s (Judah Lewis) school and eventually becomes his love interest in the film. Cole was the target of a satanic cult run by his former babysitter, Bee.
Jenna Ortega stole the show with their performance in the film, which failed to pack a punch, unlike its predecessor.
The official synopsis reads—
“Two years after Cole survived a satanic blood cult, he’s living another nightmare: high school. And the demons from his past? Still making his life hell.”
5) Saving Flora (2018)
Saving Flora is a heartfelt film that throws light on the issue of animal cruelty. Ortega put in a memorable performance in the role of Dawn, the daughter of a circus owner who rescues an elephant named Flora before she is set to be euthanized.
Ortega carried the film on her shoulders with a strong performance as her character battled against insurmountable odds to rescue the circus elephant into the wild.
The official synopsis of the film reads—
“Flora is a circus elephant who can no longer perform her tricks. The night before she’s scheduled to be euthanized, the circus owner’s 14-year old daughter, Dawn, sneaks Flora from the circus. All that stands between them and the safety of the elephant preserve is two hundred kilometers of woods, one raging river, two elephant hunters and the fear of not making it.”
The films listed above showcase some of the best works by Jenna Ortega. Stay tuned for the upcoming release of season 2 of Wednesday and Beetlejuice Part 2, featuring the talented actress in leading roles.
