The Horror Movie Jenna Ortega Says Left Her Traumatized

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Jenna Ortega has rapidly become a leading star in the horror genre, but even she has trouble watching some scary movies. After gaining recognition in the new Scream films and starring in the unsettling X, Ortega has spent a lot of her career working on frightening projects. Recently, she told Rotten Tomatoes that one particular supernatural thriller really disturbed her.

The actor admitted that James Wan’s 2010 horror film, Insidious, deeply affected her. She was only 12 years old when she first saw it, and the frightening moments and demonic images felt incredibly realistic. She said certain scenes, especially the image of the red-faced demon, are still vividly stuck in her mind, and she feels like she sees it everywhere. This shows how powerfully the film’s villain impacted her.

Although the film was scary, Ortega immediately complimented the skill and artistry of its production and director. She acknowledged that while it was a frightening experience as a child, she now deeply appreciates how the story was crafted. “James Wan is clearly a master of horror,” she said, “but seeing it at age twelve was truly traumatizing.” Despite that, she now views the film with professional respect.

Jenna Ortega says while Insidious is the most disturbing horror movie she’s seen, she also really loves The Witch. She praised everything about it – the acting, the visuals, and the overall quality. She noted its spooky atmosphere stuck with her for weeks after she first watched it.

By January 2026, Jenna Ortega has a lot on her plate, moving beyond just horror roles. She recently showcased her new film, The Gallerist, at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. This dark comedy, directed by Cathy Yan, stars Ortega alongside Natalie Portman and Charli XCX. The story centers around a struggling art dealer and his assistant who become entangled in a strange situation involving a body discovered at an art show.

Later this year, Jenna Ortega will appear in the science fiction drama Klara and the Sun, a film directed by Taika Waititi and adapted from the novel by Kazuo Ishiguro. She plays a unique robot created to provide companionship and combat loneliness. Ortega is also working on a top-secret new movie called The Great Beyond, directed by J.J. Abrams, scheduled to come out in November 2026. Glen Powell and Samuel L. Jackson also star in the film.

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2026-01-28 17:14