Jenna Ortega And Martin Freeman’s Risqué Sex Scene In ‘Miller’s Girl’ Slammed As “So Gross” Because Of Their 31-Year Age Gap

By Samantha Nungesser @samjnungesser
Published Feb. 7, 2024, 1:48 p.m. ET

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Jenna Ortega and Martin Freeman‘s racy sex scene in Miller’s Girl has left social media users feeling “uncomfortable” about their 31-year age gap.

The controversial black comedy drama — which was released on Jan. 26 — stars Ortega as an 18-year-old student who becomes entangled in an inappropriate relationship with her teacher, played by Freeman, after she writes a sex story for a writing assignment in his class.

In a clip from the film that’s making rounds on X (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter), Freeman, 52, is seen bending Ortega, 21, over a bed and stroking her arm as they seemingly engage in sexual activity.

The risqué scene is sparking outrage on the platform, with many users calling out the “gross” film.

“Wait why’s Martin Freeman the [50-year-old] shagging Jenna Ortega when she’s like 20?” one asked. “These shows are fucked.”

Another added, “I think I am finally done watching these age-gap movies. They are all gross, and I am tired of it. No amount of Jenna Ortega or Martin Freeman could save this one for me.”

A third person fumed, “This Jenna Ortega/Martin Freeman film is so gross! So, so, so, so gross!” while someone else said, “That Jenna Ortega Martin Freeman clip might be the worst thing I’ve ever seen.”

Miller’s Girl has been facing mixed reviews since its trailer first came out — and director and writer Jade Halley Bartlett said she was prepared for the backlash.

“I’d rather people be talking about it than people thinking it’s boring,” she told ScreenRant. “As a writer, boring is death. So whether you like it or don’t like it, if you’re talking about it’s done its job. And I think when people, the trailer looks a way, I get it. I get the knee-jerk reaction.”

Bartlett added, “My hope is that people go in and see that it’s more nuanced than that. I hope that people go in and can have grace for characters who are not the binary. The perfect victim is boring. It’s boring to write. It’s boring to be. I think it is dangerous to keep writing women as the perfect victim because it doesn’t allow us any agency.”

Miller’s Girl is currently playing in theaters.