Jenna Ortega has spilled the details about her role in The Gallerist, giving fans a glimpse into her latest career move. The actress, who impressed audiences as a terrified teen in Scream and as the icy, calculating Wednesday Addams in Wednesday, has continually demonstrated remarkable versatility. She now admits she chooses roles very carefully, a threshold that The Gallerist leapt over with ease.

Jenna Ortega, who has always been notoriously selective, revealed to The Variety Studio, presented by Audible, that Natalie Portman and Cathy Yan were already attached when the script of The Gallerist arrived. Their presence alone commanded her attention, yet it was the script’s wit that made her stop and take note. Ortega’s admiration for these two artists made the choice feel less a gamble and more a rare opportunity.

"I found myself actually engaging and laughing with it, which, you know, is hard to do, and I do not think I am that easy to crack," she admitted in the interview.

"And then also, my character Kiki is kind of a spaz," Ortega explained.

She described Kiki’s nervous energy and well-intentioned mistakes as a fascinating acting puzzle. She relished portraying someone flawed and human. The actress described her role as a stimulating challenge, having to navigate circumstances that test her character in unexpected ways.

Ultimately, The Gallerist offered Ortega a rare alignment of talent, material, and creative challenge. The insight comes from The Variety Studio presented by Audible, an interview that will be released any time soon.

Now that Jenna Ortega has gushed enough, let us peek at the plot that won her over.

How The Gallerist's plot won over Jenna Ortega

The Gallerist seduces immediately with its audaciously grim premise. Natalie Portman’s Polina Polinski, a struggling yet eccentric gallerist, ventures into morally dubious territory, attempting to present a dead body as art. The audacity of the act underscores the absurdity and ruthlessness of the high-end art world, where spectacle often outweighs ethics.

Jenna Ortega’s role as an assistant provides the perfect counterbalance, a lens through which the audience experiences both tension and comedy. When Zach Galifianakis’ pretentious influencer initially snubs the gallery only to become captivated by The Emasculator, the consequences spiral into chaos. Catherine Zeta-Jones’ high-profile dealer further escalates the stakes, demonstrating how ambition and vanity collide in a world that rewards audacity over conscience.

The film’s appeal lies in its precise combination of satire, suspense, and character-driven comedy. Under Cathy Yan’s direction, the story’s incisive critique of the art market is amplified by a stellar cast, including Portman, Ortega, Zeta-Jones, Galifianakis, and more.

What do you think of The Gallerist's plot? Let us know in the comments if you find it as compelling as Ortega did!

Written by

Iffat Siddiqui

Edited by

Aliza Siddiqui