Wednesday’s child may be full of woe, though Jenna Ortega’s career is anything but. Gen Z’s favorite starlet is best recognized by her performance as Wednesday Addams in the acclaimed Netflix series, but this young actress has an accomplished career spanning far beyond the grim Tim Burton title. With an array of film and television (plus music video!) roles under her belt and various more to come, Ortega treats each of her roles with great care, ultimately creating memorable performances teeming with personality and subtlety.
We’re currently running to theaters to catch Beetlejuice Beetlejuice this and are pulling our best Ortega-inspired Halloween costumes together for October. From a 1970s filmmaking scream queen to the gothiest day of the week, explore this ultimate ghoul girl’s most bone-chilling performances thus far.
12. American Carnage (2022)
In this fusion of horror and social commentary, Ortega is cast as the punkish Camila Montes. A child of undocumented immigrants, Montes and others are ordered to be arrested; however, they’re posed with the opportunity to tend to the elderly to have their charges dropped. This may appear a simple undertaking, but Ortega’s character and friends begin to uncover a darker scheme at play.
Where to stream: Hulu
11. Yes Day (2021)
Ortega portrays 14-year-old Katie Torres, a fickle eldest sister who’s pining for independence from her protective parents. She and her siblings get just that, as their parents agree to say yes to whatever their children want for one day. When it comes to acting, this family-friendly film exemplifies Ortega’s on-screen charm and range. Though the movie falters at times, her performance does not, and it landed her a nomination for best actress in a 2021 feature film.
Where to stream: Netflix
10. The Babysitter: Killer Queen (2020)
In the sequel to 2017’s horror-comedy The Babysitter, Ortega portrays rebellious new high school student Phoebe Atwell. Though the character covers up her tragic past with a bitter sense of humor and heart-shaped sunglasses, as the film progresses, Atwell’s apathetic shield seems to dissipate. Ortega crafts a courageous character who survives killer cultists and finds love along the way.
Where to stream: Netflix
9. Stuck in the Middle (2016)
Though being a middle child is no easy task, for protagonist Harley Diaz, creating clever inventions is. Fourth-born of seven siblings, Ortega’s sharp character copes with being “stuck in the middle” by way of engineering abilities. From crafting a conveyor-belt table to designing rocket-powered high-tops, she has done it all, and Ortega earnestly takes this lead into her own hands.
Where to stream: Disney+
8. Jane the Virgin (2014)
When looking back at Ortega’s early career, her portrayal of a young Jane Villanueva in Jane the Virgin cannot be forgotten. Through Ortega’s performance, viewers catch a glimpse into the protagonist’s upbringing; they see her budding penchant for writing and relationship with her grandmother Alba. Such flashbacks of the younger Villanueva offer both context and nuance to this telenovela adaptation.
Where to stream: Netflix
7. YOU (2018)
The second season of this psychological thriller introduces viewers to Ellie Alves, Joe Goldberg’s new neighbor. Portrayed by Ortega, this ambitious 15-year-old comes from a tumultuous home life and aspires to work in the film industry. Contrary to his typical obsessive and mal-intended behavior, Goldberg begins taking on a protective, brotherly role in Alves’ life, and Ortega’s performance softens the otherwise-manipulative main character. Though Alves ends up moving after her sister’s death, she is potentially returning for the final season of You, and we could not be more excited.
Where to stream: Netflix
6. Scream (2022)
Twenty five years after the initial terrors of Woodsboro, a fresh killer lurks among the shadows of the small town. In this legacy sequel to the famed series of the nineties, Ortega portrays Tara Carpenter, a senior in high school who is humorously obsessed with all things horror and finds herself wrapped up in the new attacks. Carpenter knows how to throw a punch or two, and she becomes the first Scream character to survive the beginning of the film. Ortega’s convincing act raises the bar for frightfully-delightful franchise reboots.
Where to stream: Hulu
5. Scream VI (2023)
With a performance as electrifying as ever, Ortega returns as Carpenter in the sixth installment of this cult franchise. After graduating high school, she leaves her small town to attend college in New York City, but the shadowy threat of a new Ghostface soon follows. Now one of two leading roles, Ortega takes final girl to an entirely new level. Carpenter is rapidly becoming one of the franchise’s most integral characters, ranking among our personal faves.
Where to stream: Peacock
4. X (2022)
When production for an adult film takes a turn for the worse in rural Texas, the small team of aspiring filmmakers must fight to survive. Alongside fellow horror ingénue Mia Goth, Ortega’s performance – and unforgettable shriek – as the introverted Lorraine Day in this slasher flick only further affirms her standing as a bona fide scream queen.
Where to stream: Hulu
3. The Fallout (2021)
Starring Ortega as high school student Vada Cavell, this film examines grief and the winding road of processing trauma and subsequent healing. After surviving a shooting at her school, Cavell’s coping mechanisms take a toll on herself and those closest to her. The actress’ performance in The Fallout is one of weight and poignancy that leaves a lasting impression on audience members, proving to many that Ortega thrives beyond the horror genre.
Where to stream: Max
2. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
Flash forward 36 years from the kitschy cult classic, the Deetz return to Winter River, Connecticut, with an eldritch addition: Ortega as Lydia’s estranged daughter Astrid. She’s an environmentalist at heart who unexpectedly conjures Betelgeuse from the afterlife. Unsurprisingly, chaos ensues as Astrid must confront her family’s supernatural past and mend her relationship with Lydia. Betelgeuse may be the ghost with the most, but Ortega is the true star in our handbooks for the recently deceased.
Where to stream: In theaters Friday, September 6.
1. Wednesday (2022)
From her wonderfully-macabre dance to her head-turning wardrobe of all black, Ortega takes creepy and kooky to entirely new levels in Netflix’s Wednesday. She brilliantly reinvents this horror classic for a new generation of baby-bats and goths-in-the-making. With her deadpan stare, jet-black ‘do, and slew of punchy one-liners, it’s fitting to say Ortega was made for this role.
Where to stream: Netflix
