AceShowbiz - Jenna Ortega, the 21-year-old actress known for her role in Netflix's "Wednesday," has found herself at the center of controversy again, this time for her role in the erotic thriller "Miller's Girl."

The film, released in January, highlights an unsettling romance between an 18-year-old student, played by Ortega, and her 52-year-old teacher, portrayed by Martin Freeman. The 31-year age gap has understandably stirred a strong reaction among viewers, but both Ortega and Freeman argue that the discomfort is purposeful.

Speaking to Vanity Fair, Ortega addressed the backlash head-on, "It's not supposed to be a comfortable movie. It's supposed to be awful at times." She emphasized that art often explores difficult and unpleasant subjects, adding, "We all have (expletive)-up experiences at one point or another."

Martin Freeman defended the film's controversial subject matter in an interview with The Sunday Times, stating that the movie is "grown-up and nuanced" and is "not saying, 'Isn't this great.' " He even drew a parallel to other films tackling heavy themes, asking, "Are we gonna have a go at Liam Neeson for being in a film about the Holocaust?"

The film's intimacy coordinator, Kristina Arjona, revealed to the Daily Mail that Ortega was "comfortable" on set and had the freedom to express her boundaries. "There were many, many people throughout this process engaging with [Ortega] to make sure that it was consistent with what she was comfortable with," Arjona stated.

Despite the simulated sex scenes, additional barriers and modesty garments were used to ensure appropriate distance between the actors.

However, the movie has faced significant backlash online. Upon its release, reaction on social media was swift and negative. Fans took to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to condemn the movie, calling it "gross" and expressing their discomfort with the age difference between the characters.

"Miller's Girl" struggled at the box office, earning less than $900,000 on a $4 million budget. The film's reception was similarly disappointing on Rotten Tomatoes, scoring a 29% approval from critics and a 42% audience score.

In the broader scope of young adult media, the controversy surrounding "Miller's Girl" raises questions about the responsibilities of filmmakers when exploring taboo subjects. Yet, as Ortega and Freeman point out, part of the power of art is its ability to evoke strong, even uncomfortable, reactions. Whether "Miller's Girl" succeeded in its artistic ambitions remains a hotly debated topic.