As Halloween creeps closer and Latine Heritage Month is in full swing, what better time to dive into the dark and spooky world of gothic queens who have ruled pop culture for decades? Two iconic characters—Morticia Addams and Elvira—have long captured our imaginations with their elegant, dark humor and unmistakable gothic flair. While these characters were not originally Latina, their influence on Latine audiences has grown over the years, and with the recent portrayal of Wednesday Addams by Jenna Ortega, the connection to Latine culture has become even stronger.

Morticia Addams: The Queen of Gothic Elegance

Morticia Addams, the matriarch of The Addams Family, is one of the most recognizable gothic figures in pop culture. From her vampy elegance to her deadpan wit, Morticia has been a fan favorite for generations. Although she wasn’t originally created with Latine heritage in mind, Morticia’s mysterious and dramatic persona resonates deeply with Latine audiences who appreciate strong matriarchs and family-centric values.

Her influence goes beyond her character—Morticia embodies a timeless elegance that embraces the beauty of darkness. Latine fans see in her the embodiment of female strength, quiet power, and loyalty to family, traits that hold strong cultural importance.

Elvira: The Mistress of the Dark

Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, has long been a Halloween staple, with her campy humor and bold gothic style. Although Cassandra Peterson, who portrays Elvira, doesn’t have Latine heritage, the character’s mix of sultry camp and horror resonates with Latine audiences who love blending humor with the macabre. Elvira’s unapologetic individuality is something that aligns with the growing presence of Latine women in horror, who defy convention and bring authenticity to a genre often ruled by clichés.

Jenna Ortega’s Wednesday: A Latine Twist on the Gothic Classic

But it’s Jenna Ortega’s portrayal of Wednesday Addams in Netflix’s Wednesday that has truly brought a fresh Latine spin to the Addams Family lore. Jenna, a proud Latina of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent, brings a nuanced depth to Wednesday Addams, breathing new life into the character while staying true to her gothic roots. This Latine interpretation of a classic gothic family is an important step forward for representation in a genre that hasn’t always been inclusive.

By showcasing a darker, more complex Wednesday who balances her Latine heritage with her iconic morbid humor, Jenna Ortega’s portrayal has made Wednesday more relatable for Latine audiences while maintaining the character’s universal appeal. This portrayal is more than just casting; it’s a celebration of cultural richness within a spooky and eerie context.

Gothic Queens for Latine Audiences

In celebrating these gothic queens—Morticia, Elvira, and now, Wednesday—we also celebrate the beauty of their influence on Latine audiences. They represent strength, independence, and a celebration of individuality that resonates deeply, especially during a time like Latine Heritage Month. The representation of Latine culture in the horror and gothic genres is a significant step toward inclusivity and visibility in spaces that have often been missing this kind of diversity.

As we gear up for Halloween, let’s embrace these spooky queens and recognize how they’ve inspired and influenced Latine audiences—whether through their elegance, campy humor, or powerful presence and stay tuned for more Latine Spooky reads and the authors who write them.