Nearly 30 years after the release of Forrest Gump, Robin Wright, who portrayed Jenny, is addressing some of the long-standing criticism about her character.
In a recent interview with The New York Times, Wright responded to claims that Jenny, the childhood friend and love interest of Forrest Gump, played by Tom Hanks, is an “anti-feminist” figure or even the story’s antagonist.
Fans of the film have often debated Jenny’s role and choices, with some describing her as “selfish” or even comparing her to “Voldemort” — a character from the Harry Potter series who represents ultimate evil. Wright, however, rejected this comparison and explained her view of the character.
Wright described Jenny as “kind of selfish” but rejected the idea that Jenny’s journey should be labeled as a punishment or that she’s an outright villain in Forrest Gump.
In the film, Jenny is Forrest’s childhood friend, someone he deeply loves and cares for throughout his life. They reconnect multiple times over the years, and Jenny eventually has a child with Forrest before she grows ill and dies. Her story, with its highs and lows, has left fans divided for years.
“No! It’s not about that. People have said she’s a Voldemort to Forrest,” Wright said. “I wouldn’t choose that as a reference, but she was kind of selfish.” Wright admitted Jenny’s actions — especially her tendency to leave Forrest and pursue a lifestyle marked by experimentation and rebellion — could seem self-centered.
She explained, “She was so promiscuous — that was the selfishness that she did to Forrest. He was in love with her from Day 1. And she was just flighty and running and doing coke and hooking up with a Black Panther. And then she gets sick and says, ‘This is your child. But I’m dying.’”
While some fans have interpreted Jenny’s illness as a kind of “punishment” for her choices, Wright disagrees. She believes that, rather than framing Jenny’s path as a moral lesson, the character’s choices were meant to reflect a life marked by searching, struggle, and the consequences of certain paths — not necessarily as a condemnation of her actions.
For Wright, Forrest Gump is ultimately a story about unconditional love. Forrest’s dedication to Jenny, despite the ups and downs in their relationship, speaks to the purity of his love for her.
Toward the end of the film, even after all they have been through, Forrest takes care of Jenny as she falls ill, showing his commitment and compassion. “And he still takes her: ‘I’ll take care of you at Mama’s house,’” Wright recalled, touching on the film’s bittersweet ending, where Forrest cares for Jenny until she passes away. He then raises their son alone.
“It’s the sweetest love story,” she said. Despite the complex and often criticized relationship between Forrest and Jenny, Wright views the film as a sentimental journey about loyalty and love.
Forrest Gump, released in 1994, remains one of the most iconic movies of the 20th century. It earned six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Tom Hanks, and has given fans unforgettable lines like “Run, Forrest, run!” and “Life is like a box of chocolates.”
Wright reflects on the movie fondly, saying it holds a special place in her heart, both as a cultural landmark and as a memorable experience working with the team.
“It’s a movie that I will always feel sentimental about, not only because it’s a great movie,” Wright told the Times. “Sentimental working with these guys because it was such a great experience.”
Now, almost three decades after Forrest Gump captured audiences around the world, Wright and Hanks have reunited with director Robert Zemeckis for a new film, Here. The movie tells its story from a unique perspective, with the camera rooted in one place as it captures moments across history. Fans of Wright, Hanks, and Zemeckis can see Here in theaters now.
While Jenny’s role in Forrest Gump may continue to spark debate, Robin Wright hopes audiences remember the character’s complexity and the story’s message about unconditional love. Through her portrayal of Jenny, Wright helped create a character who, flawed as she might be, has left a lasting impact on audiences around the world.
