Jenna Ortega is one of the biggest scream queens of the 2020s, but her roots in horror date back further than people realize, as one of the young actress' first roles was inInsidious 2(2013). The second installment in Leigh Whannell and James Wan’s Blumhouse franchise,Insidious 2continues to chronicle the horrifying experiences of the Lambert family, this time with patriarch Josh (Patrick Wilson) possessed by a malevolent spirit. While critics didn’t loveInsidious 2, it achieved monster success at the box office, raking in over $161 million against a $5 million budget (viaBox Office Mojo).
Almost 10 years afterInsidious 2’s release,Jenna Ortega became the face of Gen Z horror. She played one of the main characters, Tara Carpenter, in thecast ofScream(2022), a role she would reprise in 2023 withScream VI. Ortega also starred as Lorraine Day opposite fellow scream queen Mia Goth in Ti West’sX(2022). However, Ortega’s most famous scream queen role comes on the small screen, as she embodied the morbid Wednesday Addams in Netflix’sWednesday. While audiences wait forWednesdayseason 2, they can check out old titles in Ortega’s filmography — includingInsidious 2.
Jenna Ortega Plays Annie In Insidious: Chapter 2
The Young Annie Is The Only One Who Can See The Ghost Of Elise
Though Jenna Ortega is a leading lady in most of her horror projects,her role as Annie inInsidious: Chapter 2is very small, and she only appears in the final scene. Prior to this, ghost hunters Specs (Leigh Whannell) and Tucker (Angus Sampson), former associates of Elise Rainier’s (Lin Shaye), were helping the Lamberts with their possession problem. When the day is saved, the last scene sees them visiting another family, whose eldest daughter Allison (Dannay Rodriguez) is in an inexplicable coma, similar to Dalton (Ty Simpkins) in the first film.
Every Insidious Movie Ranked, Worst To Best
There have been five Insidious movies to date, including Insidious: The Red Door, and here’s how the James Wan-created franchise stacks up.
When Specs and Tucker arrive, young Annie is standing at the door with her parents. She interrupts the adults' conversation, asking “Who’s the lady?” Everyone is puzzled, as nobody else can see any lady, butAnnie does in fact see the ghost of Elise, who smiles at Annie, holding her finger to her mouth in a “shh” motion. Elise slips into the family’s home where she sees the comatose Allison. A creaking noise is heard behind a terrified Elise before the credits roll.
Ortega has confessed that the doll she was holding inInsidious 2freaked her out and reminded her of Annabelle.
While it’s definitely one of Ortega’s smaller roles, the 9-year-old actress gave audiences a glimpse of the scream queen to come.Ortega is beyond convincing as the young girl who knows what she saw, even if those around her don’t believe her. Her performance really helped sell theInsidious 2ending, making it curious why Ortega never reprised her role in the horror movie franchise.
Insidious 2 Set Up A Return For Jenna Ortega’s Annie
There Was Talk Of Annie’s Family Coming Back To The Horror Franchise, But That Never Happened
WithInsidious 2ending on Annie and her family dealing with some sort of demonic activity, it seemed like a no-brainer thatInsidious 3would center on these newly established characters. In aTikTokinterview,Ortega confirmed that there was indeed talk of the franchise going in that direction, but it never materialized. Instead,Insidious: Chapter 3(2015) was a prequel film centered around Elise Rainier, who was helping an entirely different family.
From there, theInsidiousfranchise has continued to dominate at the box office. The fourth film,Insidious: The Last Key(2018) takes place after the events ofInsidious 3and continues to follow Elise Rainier. The most recent film in the franchise, 2023’sInsidious: The Red Door, marked Patrick Wilson’s directorial debut, and once again focused on the Lambert family. Earning over $189 million at the worldwide box office (viaBox Office Mojo),Insidious 5is the highest-grossing film in the franchise to date.
Insidious 6: Release Date & Everything We Know
Though Insidious: The Red Door had a final quality, the horror franchise is returning and there are already a ton of updates about Insidious 6.
With such success, it’s no surprise thatInsidious 6is officially on its way. TheInsidiousfranchise is also launching a spin-off film calledThread, with Mandy Moore and Kumail Nanjiani set to star. While it would be fun to pick up with Annie over a decade later, theInsidiousseries is clearly moving in the right direction. Meanwhile,Jenna Ortegacontinues to thrill audiences with other fantastic projects.
Jenna Ortega’s Status As A Scream Queen Makes Sense For A Return
From Insidious 2 To Genre Dominance
Though Jenna Ortega’s role inInsidious: Chapter 2was small, her career trajectory since then has cemented her as the scream queen of her generation - making a return to theInsidiousfranchise feel more fitting than ever. While she was only 11 years old when she played Annie, one of the poor souls haunted by the Bride in Black,Ortega has since become a staple in the horror genre, with a filmography that reads like a greatest hits list of modern horror.
Her major genre breakout came withThe Babysitter: Killer Queenin 2020. While the film itself received mixed reviews, Ortega stood out for bringing energy, wit, and a dose of grounded emotion to the slasher sequel. It was a sign of things to come. She followed that up with a scene-stealing performancein Ti West’sX, the critically acclaimed 2022 slasher homage that leaned into ’70s horror. However,it was 2022’sScreamand its 2023 sequelScream VIthat really launched Jenna Ortega into horror stardom.
While she’s grown far beyond the minor role she played as a child, Ortega’s current status as a horror icon gives the franchise a unique opportunity.
Stepping into theiconic franchise as Tara Carpenter, Ortega brought a fresh and compelling edge to the series. Her performance in the opening scene ofScream(a direct callback to Drew Barrymore’s in the original) instantly became one of the most talked-about horror moments in recent memory. She became one of the new faces of the franchise, leading the charge alongside Melissa Barrera’s Sam Carpenter.
As if that wasn’t enough, Ortega took on the titular role inWednesday, Netflix’s smash-hit horror comedy series based onThe Addams Family. Though it’s not traditional horror, the show’s gothic aesthetic, macabre tone, and supernatural plotlines only further established Ortega’s presence in the spooky space. Her deadpan delivery, eerie charisma, and captivating screen presence turnedWednesdayinto a cultural phenomenon.Her appearance inBeetlejuice Beetlejuice, Tim Burton’s long-awaited sequel to his 1988 cult classic, cemented Ortega’s reputation as a go-to for horror as a genre.
Given her horror-heavy filmography, a return toInsidiouswould feel like coming full circle.While she’s grown far beyond the minor role she played as a child, Ortega’s current status as a horror icon gives the franchise a unique opportunity. Bringing her back - perhaps in a more prominent role - would not only serve as fan service but also infuse the series with fresh energy and star power. Considering howInsidiouscontinues to evolve, having someone like Ortega step back into that world feels like a natural and exciting move.
Insidious: Chapter 2
Cast
The sequel to James Wan’s 2010 supernatural horror film Insidious: Chapter 2 follows the Lamberts after saving their son from evil spirits that inhabited their home. Despite the hope to move on with their lives, the spirits have other plans. Now possessing Josh, Renai and a group of ghost-hunters will delve into the truth of these spirits to save her husband and end their torment.
