Jenna Ortega became one of Hollywood's most recognisable young stars after her portrayal of Wednesday Addams in Netflix's Wednesday. Her deadpan delivery, dark humour and distinctive screen presence helped turn the series into a global hit, but some fans are now questioning whether the success of the role could make it harder for her to break away from a particular type of character.
The discussion has resurfaced as several of Ortega's recent films have received low Rotten Tomatoes critics' scores. While Beetlejuice Beetlejuice earned a Certified Fresh rating, other projects, including Klara and the Sun, Hurry Up Tomorrow and Winter Spring Summer or Fall, have fared less favourably with critics. For some viewers, the pattern raises questions about her film choices and whether Hollywood is making the most of her acting range.
Jenna Ortega's Recent Films Receive Mixed Reviews
The Rotten Tomatoes scores shared online show a clear contrast between some of Ortega's recent projects. Klara and the Sun has a 20% critics' score, while Hurry Up Tomorrow stands at 14%. Death of a Unicorn received 52%, and Winter Spring Summer or Fall scored 31%.
By comparison, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice earned 76% and was marked Certified Fresh. The film reunited Ortega with director Tim Burton and placed her in another gothic, offbeat world that suited the image audiences had come to associate with her.
These scores measure critical reception rather than ticket sales, so they do not establish that every film was a commercial failure. Still, the figures have given fans a talking point about the direction of Ortega's career and whether the projects she chooses are allowing her to demonstrate different sides of her talent.
Fans Debate Whether 'Wednesday' Has Typecast Her
On Reddit, some viewers have suggested that Ortega risks becoming associated too closely with the 'weird girl' character. In their view, the success of Wednesday may encourage studios to offer her similar roles rather than parts that would take her in a different direction.
Others argue that the issue may not be typecasting alone. One line of discussion suggests that actors also have to be selective about the scripts they accept, particularly when they have gained enough recognition to attract a wide range of offers.
However, not everyone agrees that Ortega lacks versatility. Supporters have pointed to her work in the Scream franchise as evidence that she can handle tense, emotionally demanding material outside the specific characterisation that made her famous in Wednesday.
The debate reflects a familiar challenge for actors who become closely identified with a breakout role. A recognisable screen persona can help sustain audience interest, but it can also shape expectations about what a performer should play next.
Are Her Film Choices the Real Problem?
Ortega's recent filmography includes projects with different premises and creative teams, suggesting that her career has not been limited to one genre. Hurry Up Tomorrow, for instance, brought her into a psychological thriller connected to musician The Weeknd, while Klara and the Sun adapted a novel by Kazuo Ishiguro.
Death of a Unicorn offered a different kind of dark comedy, while Winter Spring Summer or Fall leaned into romance. Their varying critical responses show that working across genres does not guarantee positive reviews, and a low score alone cannot establish whether a project was a poor career decision.
The more useful question may be whether Ortega is being offered complex, distinctive characters that challenge her, rather than whether she should avoid dark or unconventional roles altogether. An actor can build a recognisable identity without being confined to it, provided future projects give audiences a chance to see a broader range.
Can Jenna Ortega Break Out of the 'Weird Girl' Label?
For now, the claim that Ortega is being typecast remains a matter of interpretation, not a fact about the roles Hollywood is offering her. Her recent Rotten Tomatoes scores also tell only part of the story: critical reception varies by film, and it does not measure an actor's performance in isolation.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice demonstrates that Ortega can still appear in a well-received project while working within the gothic style audiences associate with her. The next stage of her career may depend on finding roles that preserve her distinctive screen presence while allowing her to explore characters beyond it.
For now, the online debate is less proof that Ortega has reached a career dead end than a sign of how closely audiences are watching her choices after Wednesday. Whether she is being typecast or simply navigating an uneven run of reviews will become clearer as her future projects arrive.
