Miller’s Girl’s Jenna Ortega & Martin Freeman Sex Scene Controversy Explained

Miller’s Girl includes an X-rated sex scene between Jenna Ortega and Martin Freeman that’s caused a massive controversy.

Directed and written by Jade Halley Bartlett, Millers Girl explores what happens when the relationship between a student named Cairo Sweet (Jenna Ortega) and a creative writing teacher called Mr. Miller (Martin Freeman) crosses ethical boundaries.

Due to the uncomfortable subject, critics correctly predicted that Miller’s Girl would be Jenna Ortega’s most controversial film.

1. Why is Jenna Ortega & Martin Freeman’s Miller’s Girl Sex Scene Controversial?

Online, Miller’s Girl has caused controversy over the 31 years of age gap between Martin Freeman and Jenna Ortega. During its release, Freeman was 52, and Ortega was 21. Though this issue had been discussed before it came out, something changed after the movie hit the screens.

The sex scene drew immediate criticism from viewers on social media, who labeled it gross, uncomfortable, and distressing to watch.

Some people who were offended by Miller’s Girl have sworn off all age-gap movies because of what they saw in Ortega and Freeman during their simulated sex act. Other viewers condemned the casting process as being wrong because of the difference in age and the sexual scene.

Something that made the already bothersome scene worse for viewers is that the sex doesn’t leave much to the imagination. While there isn’t lewd nudity, the scene does show Ortega bent over the bed with Martin Freeman behind her.

Just one tiny slip dress covers her entire body area. He might be putting his hand inside her skirt through the movement we see him making.

For some viewers, these graphic elements that depict contact would have been disturbing, especially considering their age difference; others would not have liked any sexuality, but many people mentioned it as graphic, having considered their ages when they watched.

If only Miller’s Girl had insinuated instead of showing us sex, then perhaps there wouldn’t have been so much noise about it hadn’t portrayed it openly at all.

On the other hand, a small group of viewers has pushed back against the negative response. Someone who watched the trailer should’ve expected this from Miller’s Girl.

Others believe the naysayers are infantilizing Ortega since all parties were adults.

Ortega is indeed a young woman able to make decisions about her body. However, the age gap changes the dynamic because it adds an extra power imbalance, at least in what is perceived on screen. Ultimately, the nuance means there’s truth on both sides of the argument.

2. Was Jenna Ortega comfortable with the sex scene?

As per intimacy coordinator Kristina Arjona, who was present on the set during the controversial sex scene, Jenna Ortega was entirely comfortable with Miller’s Girl sex scene.

The Daily Mail spoke to Arjona, who walked them through how the movie was made. Filming a lovemaking scene between Ortega and Freeman required that they focus on informed and continuous consent, according to Arjona.

Being younger than her co-actor, Jenna Ortega was given a little more attention throughout to ensure she was comfortable with whatever happened.

On set, Ortega felt at ease and clearly knew what she wanted to do as Avrora. However, whether these statements are genuine is still unknown, considering that Ortega has not spoken about this herself.

At least, it is encouraging that this woman who plays off this character for actors in films with simulated sex believes that Ortega experienced a feeling of empowerment as the camera rolled on her naked body.

It might be difficult for people to watch Miller’s Girl scene, which got so much controversy; however, the most crucial aspect lies in an actress being aware that she can consent or refuse at any moment.

3. Is Miller’s Girl’s sex scene a part Of Cairo’s Short Story? Did it Happen?

Miller’s Lady’s lovemaking scene happens while Mr. Miller is perusing Fantasy’s brief story in the hut. Jenna Ortega and Martin Freeman offer voiceovers narrating the story, and his creativity triggers many parts of it to happen on screen.

This intimate experience was a fantasy due to the dreamy lighting and ivy creeping on the walls. It’s not a flashback to an actual encounter.

What’s uncertain is whether Mr. Miller and Fantasy genuinely engaged in physical intimacy in the film. It’s conceivable that the brief story was rooted in reality, even if she embellished it with fictional components.

At the beginning of the imagined sequence, we see hints of reality interspersed with the imagination. None of them depict intimate encounters, suggesting that some of the incidents run parallel. She wore the same outfit in the brief tale as when he visited her residence.

Furthermore, Cairo later reminds Miller of his advice to write about what she knows, leading to a moment of understanding between them. He does not explicitly deny their physical relationship. Mr. Miller insists that she should redo the composition.

This response is peculiar and dubious. The final significant scene occurs towards the conclusion of Miller’s Girl when the head administrator interrogates Mr. Miller. Throughout his interrogation, Mr. Miller repeatedly distorts the facts witnessed by the audience. He refutes engaging with her socially.

He claims they shared a smoke once, then concedes it occurred more than once.

He notes visiting her home but evades details about the events, attendees, and whether he entered the premises. His facial expression betrays guilt during the discussion relating to the house. Ultimately, the uncertainty woven into the film leaves the audience to speculate about the occurrences.

4. About Miller’s Girl

Miller’s Girl is a 2024 American erotic thriller film written and directed by Jade Halley Bartlett. The film stars Jenna Ortega and Martin Freeman as a student and teacher who enter into a complicated relationship after a creative writing assignment.

Miller’s Girl premiered at Palm Springs Film Festival on January 11, 2024, followed by a release in theaters by Lionsgate on January 26, 2024. It was released on digital formats in the United States on February 16, 2024, followed by a release in the United Kingdom on February 19.