Jenna Ortega's Reign: A24 Horror Movie Ends 5-Year Trend

Chloe Fitzgerald

5 min read

Post on May 07, 2025

5.0

Share

The Five-Year Trend: A Focus on Elevated Horror and Psychological Thriller

For the past five years, A24 horror has been largely defined by a specific style: "elevated horror." This subgenre blended psychological thriller elements with atmospheric dread, often prioritizing slow-burn tension over jump scares. Think The Witch (2015), Hereditary (2018), and Midsommar (2019) – films that prioritized atmosphere, unsettling imagery, and complex character studies over straightforward scares. These indie horror films, characterized by their A24 style, often focused on exploring themes of family trauma, societal anxieties, and the unsettling aspects of human nature.

• Defining Characteristics: These films typically featured:

  • Slow-burn narratives building tension gradually.
  • A focus on atmosphere and unsettling visuals over explicit gore.
  • Complex characters with deep psychological motivations.
  • Exploration of psychological themes and societal anxieties.
  • A distinct visual style often characterized by muted color palettes and unsettling imagery.

• Critical and Commercial Reception: While not always massive box office successes, these films garnered significant critical acclaim, earning awards and accolades and cementing A24’s reputation for producing high-quality, thought-provoking horror. They cultivated a dedicated fanbase eager for this more intellectually stimulating kind of horror movie.

Jenna Ortega's Impact: A New Era of Scream Queens and Female-Led Horror

Jenna Ortega’s performances in Scream VI and X represent a departure from this established A24 horror style. While still delivering on atmosphere and psychological depth, her roles showcase a renewed emphasis on action, strong female leads, and a faster pace. Ortega's portrayal of Tara Carpenter in Scream VI is a prime example of a modern "scream queen," a resourceful and resilient young woman fighting for survival. Her role in X, meanwhile, showcases a different kind of strength and resilience in a more disturbing and violent setting.

• Box Office Success and Critical Acclaim: Both Scream VI and X performed well at the box office, indicating a wider audience's appetite for horror films featuring Ortega. Furthermore, her performances have received widespread critical acclaim, highlighting a shift towards valuing strong performances in driving horror narratives, alongside visual and atmospheric elements.

• New Horror Icon: Ortega's talent and charisma have positioned her as a potential new horror icon, capable of carrying films and captivating audiences. Her versatility and range suggest a bright future for her within the genre and beyond. Her ability to blend vulnerability with fierce determination makes her instantly relatable and compelling, especially to younger audiences.

Beyond the Scream: Ortega's Versatility in Horror Subgenres

Ortega’s talent extends beyond the slasher and folk horror genres. Her diverse roles show she's capable of inhabiting a variety of characters across various subgenres. This versatility makes her a unique asset to the evolving horror landscape. Her upcoming projects further demonstrate her commitment to exploring different facets of the genre, promising continued innovation. This is a stark contrast to the more singular approach of the previous five-year trend.

• Future Projects and Impact: With her diverse roles and continued involvement in high-profile horror projects, Ortega’s influence on the future of the genre is undeniable. Her ability to seamlessly transition between different horror subgenres, from slasher to psychological thriller to folk horror, ensures that audiences expect a variety of approaches in the years to come.

The Future of A24 Horror: A More Diverse and Action-Oriented Landscape

Based on Ortega’s success, the future of A24 horror seems poised for a significant shift. We can expect to see:

• More Female-Led Stories: Ortega's success underlines a growing demand for female-led narratives, offering complex female characters and exploring themes relevant to their experiences.

• A More Diverse Range of Subgenres: Rather than a singular focus on elevated horror, A24 may explore a wider variety of horror subgenres, utilizing Ortega's versatility as a benchmark.

• A Blend of Atmosphere and Action: The future of A24 horror may see a successful blend of the atmospheric tension of previous films with the faster pace and action sequences seen in Ortega's recent projects.

Conclusion:

Jenna Ortega’s meteoric rise and the success of films like Scream VI and X strongly suggest a definitive end to the five-year trend that dominated A24 horror. Her powerful performances, coupled with the films' critical and commercial success, signal a new era—one characterized by strong female leads, diverse narratives, and a blend of psychological tension and action-packed thrills. This evolution within A24 horror is a testament to the changing demands of the audience and the ever-evolving nature of the genre.

Call to Action: Are you ready to witness the next chapter in A24 horror, fueled by Jenna Ortega’s undeniable talent? Dive deeper into the world of A24 horror and explore the films that shaped this exciting evolution. Stay tuned for more updates on Jenna Ortega's continued reign in the horror genre!