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

Hugo van Dijk

5 min read

Post on May 07, 2025

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The Five-Year Trend in A24 Horror

For the past five years, A24 horror films have largely been defined by a specific aesthetic and thematic approach. Many films leaned heavily into found-footage techniques, psychological thrillers with ambiguous endings, and often explored themes of isolation, despair, and the fragility of the human psyche. This trend manifested in several key titles:

• Example 1: The Witch (2015) – established a stylistic template for many subsequent A24 horror films, focusing on atmospheric dread and unsettling imagery within a historical setting.
• Example 2: Hereditary (2018) – amplified the psychological horror element, prioritizing unsettling family dynamics and a slow-burn approach to building tension. This film is a prime example of the trend towards bleak and nihilistic horror storytelling within the A24 catalogue.
• Example 3: Midsommar (2019) – while visually striking, continued the trend of showcasing disturbing and unsettling subject matter, albeit with a different cultural setting and folk horror elements. The film's unsettling imagery and ambiguous themes fit neatly within this period of A24 horror filmmaking.

These films, while critically acclaimed and commercially successful in their own right, represented a specific niche within the broader A24 horror landscape. The question remains: Is Jenna Ortega's rise signaling a shift away from this established style of A24 horror films?

Jenna Ortega's Impact on the Horror Genre

Jenna Ortega's presence in recent horror films, most notably Scream (2022) and Scream VI (2023), alongside her role in the critically acclaimed X (2022), offers a stark contrast to the preceding trend. Her performances feature a refreshing blend of vulnerability and strength, often portraying characters who are both resourceful and relatable. This is a departure from the more passively suffering or deeply flawed protagonists seen in many independent horror films released during the previous five-year period.

• Different horror archetypes: Ortega expertly portrays a wide range of horror archetypes, from the resourceful final girl to the vulnerable victim who fights back, making her characters instantly engaging for audiences.
• Box office and critical acclaim: The box office success and largely positive critical reception of films featuring Ortega suggest a shift in audience preferences, possibly indicating a move away from the more austere and downbeat tone prevalent in prior A24 horror releases.
• Social media influence: Her performances have generated considerable buzz on social media, contributing to the films' success and further solidifying her status as a major force in the horror actress community. This level of social media engagement is something few actors in the genre have achieved at such a young age.

A New Era of A24 Horror? Analyzing the Shift

Ortega's success suggests a potential shift in A24's approach to horror, possibly driven by evolving audience preferences. The intense popularity of her role in Wednesday may be an indicator that audiences are eager for something different. This calls for closer examination:

• Box office comparison: Comparing the box office numbers of Ortega's films to those released during the previous trend reveals a potential preference for more commercially viable horror films.
• Critical review analysis: Critical reviews often highlight a renewed emphasis on strong female characters and more traditional horror tropes, showing a potential shift away from the more experimental or art-house approach favored in previous A24 releases.
• Future A24 projects: Future A24 horror projects may demonstrate a conscious effort to incorporate elements of Ortega's success, signaling a strategic shift towards more commercially appealing and broadly accessible genre films. This potential shift toward a more commercially viable approach, while still staying true to the A24 brand, remains to be seen.

Beyond Ortega: The Future of Female-Led Horror

Jenna Ortega’s success is part of a broader trend towards increasingly prominent female representation in horror. Her ability to portray both vulnerability and strength inspires other female horror leads:

• Examples of other strong female leads: Consider the strong female leads in films like The Babadook and Saint Maud, showcasing the growing diversity of characterization in female-led horror cinema.
• Impact on the genre: This rise of compelling female characters in horror is changing the genre’s overall dynamics, allowing for more nuanced and complex narratives.
• Potential for growth: The future of female-led horror is incredibly promising, with more and more talented female actors and filmmakers challenging conventions and reshaping the genre's landscape.

Conclusion: Jenna Ortega's Reign: A New Chapter for A24 Horror?

Jenna Ortega's remarkable impact on the horror genre, coupled with the preceding five-year trend in A24 horror, strongly suggests a potential shift towards a new era for the studio. Her success highlights a possible changing audience appetite, prompting A24 to embrace a more commercially viable and relatable approach to horror storytelling. This trend may also point towards a larger shift within the genre itself, highlighting the growing power of strong female characters and diversifying the landscape of A24 horror films. Jenna Ortega's Reign: A24 Horror Ends 5-Year Trend may indeed be a fitting title for this changing landscape.

What are your thoughts on Jenna Ortega's influence on the horror genre? Do you believe her success signals a lasting shift in A24's horror output? Share your predictions for the future of A24 horror in the comments below!