Jenna Ortega’s controversial movie debuts to shocking Rotten Tomatoes score

Normally, anything Jenna Ortega stars in turns to gold, but this can’t be said for her controversial new thriller movie, which has debuted to a shocking Rotten Tomatoes score. 

Ortega became accustomed to the entertainment world from an early age, having portrayed a young Jane in Jane the Virgin before taking on the role of Harley Diaz in the Disney sitcom Stuck in the Middle.

As she’s grown older, her roles have become edgier, The Fallout and Scream 6 being prime examples. But arguably her most recognizable work arrived in 2022 when the star made her debut as Wednesday Addams in the Netflix series Wednesday, which is due a Season 2 following its resounding success. 

But before the second chapter arrives, Jenna is set to appear in a thriller movie, one that’s sparked controversy ahead of its release due to a “creepy” age gap. Now the reviews are in, here’s how they have impacted the film’s Rotten Tomatoes score.

Jenna Ortega’s controversial movie debuts to shocking Rotten Tomatoes score

Jade Bartlett’s Miller’s Girl, starring Jenna Ortega and Martin Freeman as a student-teacher duo, has received just 25% from the critics on Rotten Tomatoes. 

The movie is set to release in US cinemas on January 26, so it’s too early for an audience score. The critics’ rating is based on 12 reviews, meaning this number could change in the coming days. 

As for what outlets are saying right now, Variety commented: “Miller’s Girl delivers a tale whose transgressions are stylish but disappointingly predictable, one written with skillful knowledge of form but not the maturity to implement it with originality.”

The Seattle Times, which gave it 1.5 out of 4 stars, said: “Miller’s Girl seems to want to be closer to Gone Girl, though it lacks the necessary attention to detail in the direction or writing. The way scenes are structured feels sloppy, doing a disservice to the performances of Ortega and Freeman.”

Of the more favorable reviews, What to Watch wrote: “Miller’s Girl is an early gem in the 2024 new movie slate; a psychological thriller that features a great leading pair in Ortega and Freeman and a promising debut from a new director that we should be on the lookout for moving forward.”

If you’re wondering what it’s about, the synopsis for Miller’s Girl reads: “A talented young writer (Ortega) embarks on a creative odyssey when her teacher (Freeman) assigns a project that entangles them both in an increasingly complex web. 

“As lines blur and their lives intertwine, professor and protégé must confront their darkest selves while straining to preserve their individual sense of purpose and the things they hold most dear.”

The film sparked controversy upon the release of its trailer due to the implication of sexual tension between Freeman and Ortega’s characters, with some describing the age gap between the pair as “creepy.”

In real life, Ortega is 21 years old, while Freeman is 52. “I feel like she is too young for this role. Should’ve been an older woman that can pass as a college student. Kinda weird,” one person posted on X/Twitter. “He’s older than her actual dad,” added another, while a third said, “I thought Martin was better than this. Sounds creepy.”