As ‘Wednesday’ Dominates Netflix, Jenna Ortega Quietly Stars in Another Film—Is It a Hidden Gem or a Flop?

Jenna Ortega has become one of the most recognizable faces in modern entertainment. Best known for her sharp, deadpan portrayal of Wednesday Addams in Netflix’s hit series Wednesday, Ortega is now front and center in a quieter, more emotionally tender project: Winter Spring Summer or Fall, a romantic drama that has just landed on Paramount+.

But can this low-key seasonal romance survive the overwhelming shadow of Ortega’s viral success as Wednesday? Released during the exact window when Wednesday Season 2 Part 2 is trending across the globe, Winter Spring Summer or Fall arrives with both a boost and a burden. The boost? Ortega’s name guarantees attention. The burden? Expectations are sky-high.

So, is this film a hidden gem or just filler? Let’s explore what Winter Spring Summer or Fall is all about and whether it deserves a spot on your streaming list.

A Love Story Told Across Four Seasons

The film’s title isn’t just poetic — it reflects the actual structure of the story. Winter Spring Summer or Fall follows the romantic journey of Remi Aguilar (Jenna Ortega), an overachieving teen with ambitions to attend Harvard Law, and Barnes Hawthorne (played by Percy Hynes White), a laid-back gap-year student with little direction but plenty of charm.

The movie splits its narrative into four acts — one for each season — capturing just a single day in their evolving relationship. Each encounter is brief, intense, and emotionally charged, giving audiences a slow-burning view of two young people navigating love, identity, and life expectations.

This storytelling technique brings a lyrical rhythm to the film, allowing emotions to simmer rather than explode. It’s a thoughtful, almost meditative take on modern romance.

Jenna Ortega Shines in a Surprisingly Vulnerable Role

The biggest strength of the film is Jenna Ortega herself. Coming off her globally acclaimed role as Wednesday Addams, Ortega takes a sharp turn from the gothic and sarcastic to the soft-spoken and emotionally conflicted.

Her portrayal of Remi is layered and nuanced. On paper, Remi is a stereotypical high achiever — top of her class, planning out every step of her future, emotionally guarded. But Ortega breathes life into her with subtle gestures: a shaky breath before a kiss, hesitation before a confident statement, and quiet, tender moments of doubt.

She effortlessly carries scenes with little dialogue, using silence as a tool — a skill that made her Wednesday so magnetic. Here, it’s used not for eeriness, but for intimacy.

Released During Peak Wednesday Hype

What’s most striking is the film’s timing. Winter Spring Summer or Fall was released on Paramount+ in early September 2025, exactly when Wednesday Season 2 Part 2 was dominating social media and Netflix charts.

Whether by accident or clever strategy, the film’s debut aligned perfectly with the height of Ortega’s cultural relevance. Fans flocking to Wednesday for her iconic deadpan delivery were suddenly presented with a softer, more romantic side of her acting range.

This created an unexpected surge in viewership for a film that otherwise flew under the radar. Although Winter Spring Summer or Fall received minimal marketing, Ortega’s involvement and the coincidental timing with Wednesday helped push it into trending territory on streaming platforms.

Does the Film Live Up to the Buzz?

While Ortega gives a compelling performance, the rest of the film struggles to match her energy. Percy Hynes White’s character, Barnes, is underdeveloped, serving more as a mirror for Remi’s growth than as a full character in his own right. His charm is present, but he lacks depth.

The film also falters in its pacing. The “one day per season” concept, while artistically intriguing, means major emotional leaps often happen off-screen. We don’t see their relationship grow so much as we catch snapshots of it. This format leaves some viewers feeling disconnected, craving the missing in-between moments.

That said, the emotional climax in the final “Fall” chapter does land with sincerity and heart. By the end, the film offers a subtle but meaningful look at how even fleeting relationships can change the course of a life.

The Percy Hynes White Factor

It’s worth acknowledging that this film stars Percy Hynes White, who previously appeared alongside Ortega in Wednesday Season 1. Earlier in 2025, the actor was quietly written out of Season 2 following unverified allegations, despite no legal action being taken. This real-world controversy may be one reason the film was delayed and received a quiet release.

White’s role in Winter Spring Summer or Fall is noncontroversial on screen, but awareness of the off-screen drama may impact how audiences perceive the film.

Still, the movie remains firmly anchored by Ortega’s character, and she receives the lion’s share of emotional focus and screen time.

Visuals and Direction

Visually, the film is understated but beautiful. Each season brings with it a unique color palette and mood, from the cold blues of winter to the golden hues of autumn. The cinematography mirrors the emotional progression of the story — bright and lively in spring, hazy and confused in summer, melancholic in fall.

The film’s soundtrack, featuring indie acoustic tracks and subtle orchestral cues, enhances the emotional tone without overpowering the scenes.

Director Tiffany Paulsen — known for lighter teen rom-coms — takes a more serious turn here. Her direction is clean and intimate, though at times lacking the energy needed to keep the middle acts engaging.

Should You Stream It or Skip It?

Stream it if:

• You’re a fan of Jenna Ortega and want to see her in a completely different role.

• You enjoy introspective, slow-burn romance dramas.

• You’re curious about films that use unconventional narrative structures.

Skip it if:

• You prefer fast-paced or high-stakes romantic plots.

• You expect explosive chemistry between the leads.

• You’re looking for a story with strong secondary characters and full arcs.

A Quiet Success or a Silent Flop?

Given its lack of theatrical release, minimal promotional effort, and timing with a much larger Ortega-related project (Wednesday), it’s fair to say Winter Spring Summer or Fall risked becoming a streaming flop. However, Ortega’s name and the timing of its release likely helped the film find its niche audience.

Though it may not top any “Best of the Year” lists, the film serves its purpose as a gentle, character-driven exploration of young love, elevated by an actress who knows how to carry a scene with quiet power.

Final Verdict

Winter Spring Summer or Fall is not a groundbreaking film. It’s simple, it’s quiet, and it occasionally stumbles. But it is also authentic, sincere, and beautifully acted — especially by Jenna Ortega, who continues to prove her range and talent.

Released in the shadow of Wednesday Season 2, this film offers fans a rare chance to see Ortega in a completely different emotional light. And that, alone, may be reason enough to stream it.

Verdict: Stream it if you’re here for Ortega. Skip it if you’re here for fireworks.