Is Christina Ricci Still The Definitive Wednesday Addams — Or Has Jenna Ortega Eclipsed Her?

Wednesday Addams is one of the most iconic characters of all time. Her signature gothic fashion, macabre sense of humor, and disregard for societal norms have been delighting audiences since 1938 when she first appeared in Charles Addams's New Yorker comic strips. Since then, the character has been portrayed in multiple television shows, animations, and feature films.

Christina Ricci brought Wednesday to life in two beloved 1990s films, The Addams Family and Addams Family Values. The films were incredibly successful and remain fan favorites to this day. Her flawless performance instantly established her as the definitive version of the character for decades. However, in 2022, Netflix premiered its series Wednesday, with Jenna Ortega delivering a brilliant performance that reinvented the character for a new generation. Ortega's portrayal has sparked debate among fans about whether Ricci's Wednesday remains the definitive version or if Ortega's rendition has claimed the title.

Christina Ricci's Brilliant Performance Defined Wednesday Addams For Generations

Ricci's Is Hilarious In Her Iconic Portrayal Of Wednesday Addams

Christina Ricci was only 10 years old when she landed the role of Wednesday Addams, with just two prior film credits to her name. However, you'd never guess that from the confidence and impeccable comedic timing she brought to her performance. From her opening scene, where she experiments on her brother Pugsley, delivering the unforgettable line, "It's a new experiment. It's called... Is there a God?" Ricci made the character entirely her own. Her deadpan delivery, sarcastic expressions, and subtle hints of vulnerability elevated the film and provided its most memorable moments.

While the plot of 1991's The Addams Family is clever enough, it's the performances from the cast, particularly Ricci's Wednesday, that make the film such a beloved classic. From strapping her brother to an electric chair to the hilarious school play in which fake blood drenches the audience, to ditching her black dress for "normal clothes" at the charity event, declaring" I'm dressed as a homicidal maniac—they look just like everyone else," Ricci's calm sarcasm and razor-sharp wit elevates every scene that she is in.

However, it is in the film's sequel, Addams Family Values, which is one of the best sequels of all time, where Ricci truly shines. After stealing the spotlight in the first film, she is given a more substantial role, and her sardonic wit and flawless line delivery are even more confident. This is especially evident in Ricci's most iconic scene in the franchise: the Thanksgiving play at the summer camp. Her commanding performance solidified Wednesday Addams as a cultural icon and Ricci as one of the most memorable child actors of her generation.

Jenna Ortega's Wednesday Addams Is A Captivating Fresh Take On The Character

Ortegas Brings A Modern Sensibility To The Character While Staying True To The Role

Jenna Ortega had some big shoes to fill when she signed on to play Wednesday Addams. Christina Ricci had been associated with the role for 30 years and the films remained popular with a new generation of viewers. However, the young actress succeeded by bringing fresh energy and modern sensibility to the role, while still capturing what audiences love about the character.

Ortega already had a massive fan base from her roles in Disney Channel's Stuck in the Middle and the reboot of the Scream franchise. When she signed on to star as Wednesday, fans were ecstatic over the perfect casting. Yet somehow, Ortega still exceeded expectations, and Wednesday quickly became one of the most successful series in Netflix history.

Ortega's Wednesday maintains the character's deadpan wit while adding more emotion and depth to the role. The performance is complex since Ortega gets to portray Wednesday's growth over an entire season, and it is refreshing to see Wednesday evolve from a loner into someone who embraces new relationships - all while staying true to herself.

Christina Ricci And Jenna Ortega's Wednesday Have Many Similarities But Are Vastly Different

Both Wednesdays Are Rebels And Embrace Dark Humor

Christina Ricci and Jenna Ortega's Wednesday share many things in common, but each actress brings a unique spin to the character. This is mainly shaped by the context of their respective projects. Ricci's Wednesday is part of an ensemble cast and is primarily used for comedic purposes, while Ortega's Wednesday takes center stage in an eight-episode series where she not only anchors the story but also drives emotional depth and character growth.

Both actresses nail Wednesday’s trademark deadpan wit, excelling in delivering hilariously dry lines and awkward interactions. Whether it’s Ricci’s mischievous experiments on her brother or Ortega investigating supernatural crimes, both versions of Wednesday share a love for unusual hobbies that seem totally normal to them. What truly ties them together, though, is their uncompromising nature and the ability to remain true to themselves. They both embrace Wednesday’s quirks and unapologetically own their unique personalities.

The biggest difference between their portrayals is in their age and how that influences the perception of the character. Ricci's Wednesday is around 10 and the fun is seeing a young kid act so mischievous and out of the ordinary. Her Wednesday is more over-the-top and mostly used for comedic purposes.

Ortega's version is a teenager and a central figure of the narrative. Her character is deeper and gets to express more emotion and growth over the course of a season. She is also more curious and a bit more ambitious, diving headfirst into solving the mysteries surrounding her, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the character.

Christina Ricci Officially Passed The Wednesday Torch to Jenna Ortega

The Addams Family Actress Has Embraced Jenna Ortega's Portrayal Of The Iconic Character

Christina Ricci has had nothing but praise for Jenna Ortega's portrayal of Wednesday Addams. In countless interviews, she has gushed about Ortega's performance and how happy she is that a new generation now has their version of a character that means so much to her. Speaking to Variety before the show premiered, Ricci said:

“It’s super fun. I loved working with Tim Burton. And Jenna is incredible. It’s so true tonally to the heart and soul of the original, but it’s then it’s incredibly modern and it’s great.”

Ricci expounded even further in an article in Elle after Jenna's performance quickly hit the zeitgeist and audiences began comparing the performances of both actresses.

“I loved being Wednesday. I’m very proud of that role. I also think Jenna Ortega is amazing. She is so brave, so cool, and really doing the part justice. Wednesday is her part now...[and] those two things can be true at the same time!”

Ricci even appears in Netflix's Wednesday as Marilyn Thornhill, a teacher at the school's Nevermore Academy. It's a small role that serves as a nostalgic nod to the 90s films, and Ricci does a great job of making sure her role doesn't take focus away from Ortega's Wednesday.

Is Christina Ricci Or Jenna Ortega The Definitive Wednesday Addams?

Both Actresses Are Fantastic And Have Made The Role Their Own

Christina Ricci and Jenna Ortega are both so great at portraying Wednesday Addams that it is hard to decide which one is the definitive version of the character. Ricci's Wednesday has been ingrained in audiences' minds since it first premiered in 1991. For 30 years, she was who people visualized in that role, and those films still remain popular, especially Addams Family Values during Thanksgiving. But Ortega's portrayal felt so fresh from the get-go, instantly recognizable and staying true to the character's roots while still offering a modern interpretation.

It's similar to characters such as Batman and Spider-Man, where so many fantastic actors have portrayed them over the years, that it is impossible to choose who the definitive version of the character is. Both actresses are so great and so different that it is easy for each to define the role, and audiences can enjoy both performances equally.