Jenna Ortega Reveals Which Horror Icon Traumatized Her As a Child

Jenna Ortega is something of a scream queen, with her leading roles in the horror genre, but she started out as a fan watching the movies. She still remembers the first time she saw a horror movie that completely terrified her, and the experience left her seemingly traumatized.

Ortega, who will star in the next sequel Beetle Juice Beetle Juicetalked about his work in the horror genre during an interview with Jimmy Fallon on Tonight's show. Confirming that she is also a huge fan of the genre as well as appearing in horror titles like Cry AND XOrtega shared that the first film that Truly she was scared it was the original Child's play film. She remembered hiding in a closet and rocking back and forth after watching the movie, shaking with fear after secretly watching Chucky's first series of murders.

“I remember the first movie that terrified me“, he said. “I think the first movie that terrified me was Child's playYes, Chucky. [I was] four or five years old. I remember accidentally watching it. I was peeking around the corner because I was very stubborn, and my parents were gone. It was parent-teacher night, and my uncle was watching us. And they couldn't find me for 30 minutes, because I was rocking back and forth in the corner, thinking, “He's going to get me!” I swear to God. I was in my brother's closet.”

Jenna Ortega is now one of the biggest stars in the horror genre

While Beetle Juice Beetle Juice It's not a bloody R-rated horror film like other films Ortega has appeared in, it has dark themes that still make it part of the genre. Like the original film, the sequel uses puppetry as a way to maintain the practical effects. For Ortega, it's interesting that she was on set with the same type of puppets that remind her of Chucky from A piece of cake.

“You have to face your fears“, Ortega explained. “It's really strange, also because on Beetle Juicewe did all the practical effects, so it's like, toys and interactive stuff, which is a lot better than staring at a tennis ball. I see everything that's happening in front of me. But also, it's like a doll, so… Chucky was a doll, and now I act with dolls. It's very strange.”

Chucky was a doll, and now I act with dolls. It's very strange.

Perhaps the next step would be for Ortega to commit to the current Chucky franchising as a way to push its closing moment even further. At this time, it is unclear whether the Chucky series will return for a fourth season, but creator Don Mancini has hinted that there will be another feature film starring the character in his early works. Perhaps one day Ortega will land a role in that franchise as well to truly face his childhood fears head on.

Beetle Juice Beetle Juice will hit theaters on September 6, 2024.

Source: The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon