Oscar Winner Ignites Debate: Jacob Elordi—Heartthrob or Serious Actor?
On a new podcast, Oscar winner Pedro Almodóvar questions Hollywood’s view of Jacob Elordi, asking whether the breakout star is being boxed in as a sex symbol or recognized for his range.
It is always interesting when an Oscar-winning filmmaker decides to step back and poke at Hollywood's favorite up-and-comer. Recently, Pedro Almodóvar did just that, putting Jacob Elordi under the microscope and more or less asking: Is this guy the real deal, or is he just getting by on being ridiculously good-looking? (Frankly, a fair question for anyone who's ever seen an episode of Euphoria.)
Almodóvar Vs. Elordi: The Sex Symbol Question
Almodóvar dropped his thoughts during an appearance on the Spanish podcast 'La Pija y la Quinqui' (yeah, that's the real name), and he wasn’t shy about spelling out his doubts. In his own words:
'I’ve been wondering whether he’s just a sex symbol or a respected actor.'
This wasn’t just a throwaway comment. Almodóvar made it clear that the debate over Elordi’s range as an actor is something he’s actively thinking about. He likes the guy’s presence, but wants to see Elordi dig into a meaty, challenging role before handing out any trophies.
Breaking Down Elordi's Résumé (According to Pedro)
Almodóvar took a look at Elordi's recent projects and was, let's say, not impressed. He specifically called out both Wuthering Heights and the latest Frankenstein iteration. His general feeling? Neither of these movies really give Elordi the space to prove he's more than a pretty face.
- Wuthering Heights: Almodóvar didn’t pull punches here—he flat-out called the film 'very bad.' He made a point to say Elordi and co-star Margot Robbie weren’t actually the problem, which is basically the polite way of saying 'the script and direction were the real culprits.'
- Frankenstein: As for this gig, Almodóvar thinks it’s a bit too dependent on impressive visuals and makeup instead of actual emotional heavy-lifting from the actor. Translation: It’s hard to show off serious acting chops when you’re mostly shuffling around in prosthetics.
Almodóvar summed it up like this: 'We need to see him—or at least I do—in another role that demands more of him.' Hard to argue with that logic, honestly.
What’s Next for Elordi? (Hint: It’s Big)
In the middle of all this scrutiny, Elordi's not slowing down at all. His next project, The Dog Stars, sounds—on paper—like it could be a breakout moment. He’s starring alongside names like Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, Guy Pearce, and Benedict Wong. Kind of an insane cast, actually.
The movie's based on Peter Heller's post-apocalyptic novel from 2012. Ridley Scott is in the director’s seat (so yeah, expectations are sky-high), and the screenplay comes from Mark L. Smith and Christopher Wilkinson. Mark your calendar if you’re the planning type: The release date is locked in for August 28, 2026.
The Big Takeaway
The bottom line: Almodóvar’s not sold on Elordi as more than a heartthrob—at least, not yet. If Elordi can land and deliver a real deal, complex leading role, it might finally silence critics (and filmmakers with Oscars on their shelves). For now? The 'sex symbol or serious actor' label is going to keep following Elordi until he proves otherwise.