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 named 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.
There are numerous aspects of the movie that make Miller’s Girl so controversial. A storyline surrounding a student-teacher relationship must be handled with care, lest it become problematic. Unfortunately, the film perpetuates the idea that teacher-student relationships are caused by seductive young women. It also ignores the multiple power imbalances that exist between the two main characters. However, the biggest controversy about Miller’s Girlcenters on the sex scene between Mr. Miller and Cairo. This scene has caused outrage from many viewers.
Miller’s Girl’s Sex Scene Is Part Of Cairo’s Short Story: Did It Really Happen?
Miller’s Girl’s sex scene occurs while Mr. Miller is reading Cairo’s short story in the shed. Jenna Ortega and Martin Freeman both provide voiceovers narrating the story, and his imagination causes many parts of it to occur onscreen. It’s clear that this one specific sexual encounter was fantasy because of the dreamy lighting and ivy growing on the walls. It isn’t a flashback to a real encounter. What’s not clear is whether Mr. Miller and Cairo actually had sex in the movie. It’s possible that the short story was reality-based even if she expanded it with fictional elements.
At the start of the imagined scene, there are glimpses of reality intercut with the fantasy. None of them show sexual encounters, but it does imply that some of the events are parallel. She also wears the same dress in the short story that she wore when he came to her house. Additionally, Cairo reminds Miller later that he told her to write what she knows, at which point they share a knowing look. He doesn’t say that they never had sex. Mr. Miller asserts that she needs to rewrite the paper. This reaction is strange and suspect.
The last noteworthy scene occurs at the end of Miller’s Girl when the principal interviews Mr. Miller. During his interview, Mr. Miller repeatedly lies about events the audience saw. He denies seeing her socially. He says they shared a cigarette once, then admits it happened more than once. He says he went over to her house but skirts around what happened, who was there, and whether he went inside. His facial expression looks guilty during the part of the conversation about the house. Ultimately, the ambiguity throughout the movie leaves it up to the viewer to interpret what happened.
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Why Jenna Ortega & Martin Freeman’s Miller’s Girl Scene Is Controversial
Miller’s Girl has created controversy online due to the 31-year age gap between Martin Freeman and Jenna Ortega. At the time of release, Freeman was 52, and Ortega was 21. While there was discussion about this prior to release, the conversation took a turn after the movie was released. Viewers immediately took to social media to call the sex scene gross, uncomfortable, and distressing to watch. Many people disturbed by Miller’s Girl said they’ve written off age-gap movies entirely after watching Ortega and Freeman simulating sex. Others called the casting choices unethical, given the age gap and sex 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 in a doggy-style position with Martin Freeman behind her. Only a slip dress covers her body. There’s also movement that implies he’s sliding his hand up her dress. Though some viewers would’ve been uncomfortable no matter the sexual contact, viewers mentioned the graphic elements as disturbing given their age difference. Had Miller’s Girl implied sex without showing it, there might not have been as much backlash.
On the other hand, a small group of viewers has pushed back against the negative response. Some think that anyone who watched the trailer should’ve expected this out of Miller’s Girl. Others believe the naysayers are infantilizing Ortega since all parties were adults. It’s true that Ortega is a young woman able to make decisions about her body. However, the age gap changes the dynamic because it adds an extra power imbalance. Ultimately, the nuance means that there’s truth in both sides of the argument.
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Jenna Ortega Was Comfortable With Miller’s Girl’s Sex Scene
No matter how comfortable or uncomfortable viewers were watching the controversial sex scene in Miller’s Girl, it’s important to acknowledge that there was an intimacy coordinator – Kristina Arjona – on set as they filmed the sex scenes. Arjona walked The Daily Mail through the process of filming this movie. According to Arjona, informed and continuous consent was the central focus when filming the sex scene between Ortega and Freeman. As the younger actor in the age gap, extra attention was given to Jenna Ortega throughout the process to make sure she was okay with everything happening.
According to Arjona, Ortega felt entirely comfortable on set and was very certain about what she wanted to do. The actor hasn’t commented on this herself, so it’s impossible to know if this matches up with Ortega’s internal experience. However, it’s promising to know that the intimacy coordinator, who acts as an advocate for actors while filming simulated sex, believes Ortega felt empowered in the filming process. While it probably won’t change how people feel watching the controversial Miller’s Girl scene, it’s ultimately most important that the actress felt safe to give and withdraw consent at any time.
Miller’s Girl
- Director
- Jade Bartlett
- Release Date
- January 26, 2024
- Studio(s)
- Point Grey Pictures
- Distributor(s)
- Lionsgate
- Writers
- Jade Bartlett
- Cast
- Martin Freeman , Jenna Ortega , Gideon Adlon , Bashir Salahuddin , Dagmara Dominczyk , Christine Adams
- Runtime
- 93 Minutes
