Jenna Ortega, 23, and Winona Ryder, 54, Turn Heads in Glamorous Venice Film Festival Throwback
At the 2024 Venice Film Festival, Jenna Ortega and Winona Ryder made a red carpet appearance that felt electric. Fans quickly shared throwback photos online, celebrating the pairing as a symbolic passing of the gothic torch in Hollywood.
The actresses were there for the premiere of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the highly anticipated sequel to the 1988 cult classic that originally made Ryder a household name.
Ortega turned heads in a custom red Dior Haute Couture gown, paying homage to the original red dress worn by Ryder’s Lydia Deetz. Ryder contrasted her co-star with a sleek black Chanel look, featuring a tuxedo-inspired top and a full tulle skirt. The film’s showrunners recently commented, When it comes to outcasts, Winona Ryder is the GOAT, and fans at the festival couldn’t help but agree.
Jenna Ortega and Winona Ryder at the 2024 Venice Film Festival. 📷 pic.twitter.com/yqcG1GKLE6
— GoldenSeries (@series_golden) February 24, 2026
The chemistry between Ortega and Ryder was obvious. At a press conference, Ortega shared, I think I’ve always been someone who is drawn to the darker side of things. Getting to work with Winona, who navigated that world so perfectly, was like a masterclass in staying true to yourself. Their bond on set has only grown since filming, creating a seamless connection on and off the screen.
Both actresses are busy with projects in 2026. Ryder will appear in the third season of Wednesday on Netflix, playing a mysterious character named Tabitha at Nevermore Academy, reuniting her with Ortega. Ortega herself has several high-profile films in the works. She stars in J.J. Abrams’ sci-fi blockbuster The Great Beyond, alongside Glen Powell, Emma Mackey, and Samuel L. Jackson, set to hit theaters in November.
Ortega also leads the long-awaited adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun, directed by Taika Waititi. She plays an Artificial Friend, exploring themes of love and loneliness, with Amy Adams and Natasha Lyonne also in the cast.
Ryder, meanwhile, is rumored to be working with Panos Cosmatos on a new dark, psychedelic project, keeping her reputation as one of Hollywood’s most mysterious figures intact.
Seeing Ortega and Ryder together feels like a bridge between generations of Hollywood rebels. Their energy and style remind us that embracing the strange can be powerful. What do you think about Winona joining Wednesday and Jenna’s upcoming films? Share your thoughts in the comments.