Cover From Disney star to scream queen royalty, Jenna Ortega’s bloody rise to horror’s throne proves she’s Hollywood’s new face of fear. (Photo: IMDB)
From Disney star to scream queen royalty, Jenna Ortega’s bloody rise to horror’s throne proves she’s Hollywood’s new face of fear. (Photo: IMDB)
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Jenna Ortega has become Gen Z’s definitive scream queen through bold roles and bone-chilling performances
With Wednesday season 2 gripping audiences worldwide, Jenna Ortega has cemented herself as the reigning force of gothic horror. At just 22, she’s evolved from Disney Channel’s sunny star of Stuck in the Middle into Gen Z’s ultimate scream queen, her deadpan stare and razor-edged delivery cutting through pop culture like weapons.
Her rise wasn’t chance—it grew out of instinct, grit and roles that sharpened her horror edge while shattering industry expectations. From early genre appearances to career-defining performances, each bloody step shaped the actress who would redefine what it means to be a modern horror icon.
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‘Insidious: Chapter 2’ (2013): Jenna Ortega’s first taste of horror
Above A young Jenna Ortega made her horror debut with a cameo in this major franchise.
Long before she became a household name, a young Jenna Ortega made her horror debut with a brief but memorable appearance in this major franchise. The role was small but important for the actress, giving her a first taste of the genre that would go on to define her career. That early experience offered more than just screen time—it exposed her to the mechanics of horror, where atmosphere, tension and the supernatural intertwine to leave lasting chills.
‘You’ (2019): a dark turn into psychological thrillers
Above In ‘You’, Ortega plays an aspiring filmmaker caught in a serial killer’s web. (Photo: IMDB)
In ‘You’, Ortega plays an aspiring filmmaker caught in a serial killer’s web. (Photo: IMDB)
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Jenna Ortega’s portrayal of Ellie Alves marked her transition from her Disney past into darker, more mature territory. As a sharp and cynical aspiring filmmaker caught in serial killer Joe Goldberg’s (Penn Badgley) web, she showcased the deadpan humour and psychological complexity that would become her signature. Her ability to portray characters in high-stakes, tense situations proved she could handle adult material with ease.
‘The Babysitter: Killer Queen’ (2020): balancing scares with black comedy
Above The actress demonstrated her action credentials in ‘The Babysitter: Killer Queen’. (Photo: IMDB)
The actress demonstrated her action credentials in ‘The Babysitter: Killer Queen’. (Photo: IMDB)
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This black comedy slasher allowed Ortega to perfect the deadpan delivery she’d begun developing in You. As Phoebe Atwell, a new student thrust into a deadly battle against a demonic cult, she demonstrated her action credentials by fighting back against killers in several gory takedowns. The role showcased her versatility within the horror-comedy subgenre, proving she could balance genuine scares with dark humour while maintaining character authenticity throughout absurd scenarios.
‘Scream’ (2022): the role that crowned Ortega as a modern scream queen
Above Her opening sequence in ‘Scream’ crowned Jenna Ortega as a modern horror queen. (Photo: IMDB)
Her opening sequence in ‘Scream’ crowned Jenna Ortega as a modern horror queen. (Photo: IMDB)
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The role that officially crowned her a modern scream queen, Tara Carpenter represented a shift in horror filmmaking. Entrusted with the franchise’s iconic opening sequence, Jenna Ortega subverted 25 years of tradition by surviving Ghostface’s brutal attack. This groundbreaking decision allowed her character to remain central to the narrative, evolving the “opening girl” from sacrificial victim to resilient survivor. Her performance redefined genre expectations while honouring Scream’s legacy.
‘X’ (2022): a chilling indie slasher showcase
Above Jenna Ortega switches gears within the horror genre, starring in the independent slasher ‘X’. (Photo: IMDB)
Jenna Ortega switches gears within the horror genre, starring in the independent slasher ‘X’. (Photo: IMDB)
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Released mere months after Scream, this Ti West-directed A24 slasher cemented Jenna Ortega’s genre credibility across both mainstream and independent cinema. Playing Lorraine Day, the initially reserved girlfriend drawn into a deadly situation on a remote farm, she delivered a more grounded performance that culminated in a memorable, blood-curdling scream. Successfully navigating both blockbuster and critically revered indie horror in one year demonstrated remarkable range and established her as a versatile genre performer.
‘Wednesday’ (2022–present): Jenna Ortega’s gothic superstardom
Above ‘Wednesday’ launched Jenna Ortega into global superstardom. (Photo: IMDB)
‘Wednesday’ launched Jenna Ortega into global superstardom. (Photo: IMDB)
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Tim Burton’s gothic series represents the synthesis of Jenna Ortega’s entire horror journey. Her portrayal of Wednesday Addams combines the deadpan humour from You, the physical resilience from Scream and the emotional depth from X into one iconic performance. Beyond acting, she shaped the character creatively—choreographing the viral dance sequence and making the distinctive choice for Wednesday never to blink. This role launched her into global superstardom and redefined gothic entertainment for a new generation.
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ (2024): inheriting Hollywood’s macabre throne
Above ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ proved Ortega’s horror reign extends beyond a single character. (Photo: IMDB)
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ proved Ortega’s horror reign extends beyond a single character. (Photo: IMDB)
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As Astrid Deetz, daughter of Winona Ryder’s iconic Lydia, Jenna Ortega completes her ascension to horror royalty. This role serves as a symbolic passing of the gothic torch from one generation’s dark icon to the next. Reuniting with Tim Burton, she cements her status as the definitive heir to Hollywood’s macabre throne, proving her horror reign extends beyond a single character or franchise.
After more than a decade in lifestyle media, Clifford has mastered the art of writing seriously about things that are fun—and writing fun things about people who take themselves very seriously. At Tatler Asia, he helped steer its flagship lists, Tatler’s Most Influential and Asia’s Most Stylish. And today, he leads T-Labs, Tatler Asia’s content innovation hub, where he continues the noble pursuit of lifestyle storytelling, spinning stories on wealth, entertainment, necessary style, Hallyu, Hollywood, beauty and more for audiences across Asia.
