Jacob Elordi: From ‘Frankenstein’ to the Oscars – the Phenomenon That’s Taking Italy by Storm

If you thought the Jacob Elordi fever was set to cool down after the success of “Euphoria” and “Priscilla”, get ready to think again. Over the past year, the Australian actor has made a leap to a whole new level, propelling him into a completely different stratosphere – that of Hollywood’s elite. And the driving force behind this meteoric rise has a very specific name: “Frankenstein: Written and Directed by Guillermo Del Toro”.

I know, it seems odd to talk about Frankenstein as a launchpad for a star, but this isn’t your typical monster. With Guillermo Del Toro at the helm, we’re expecting a visceral masterpiece. And judging by the early whispers going around industry insiders and the buzz among critics, Elordi has delivered a performance so physical and tormented that he’s captivated the Academy. Yes, you read that right: the bloke who once stole scenes in a TV series is now officially an Oscar nominee. And this isn’t just a nomination to fill out the numbers. There’s serious talk of a possible win.

Ever since the news of his nomination broke, the attention on him has exploded. But what fascinates me is how Italy is experiencing this phenomenon. It’s not just the usual story of a handsome actor popular with female audiences. There’s a total cultural embrace here. Take a walk through the centre of Milan or Rome and you’ll see what I mean: “I Love Jacob Elordi” T-shirts have become a must-have for those under 25, but you also see them on fifty-somethings who discovered him through the art-house direction his career has taken.

And then there’s the pop culture side, the bit that really makes me smile. You know those celebrity cutouts, the life-sized cardboard standees? Well, the limited editions featuring his likeness – often tied to his Frankenstein character, but also the classic arcade-style standee – are selling like hotcakes. I spotted a couple hanging in hipster bars in Bologna, and in Naples they were used for a flash mob before the first trailer dropped. It’s become a viral phenomenon that goes beyond just being a fan of the film.

To understand the scale of the moment, just look at what happened a few weeks ago. There was all that confusion about an alleged “deportation” at a border control – a fake news story that came out of nowhere and did the rounds on social media. In reality, according to sources close to the actor’s entourage, it wasn’t nearly that dramatic: just the usual strict checks for a work visa. The story still caused a stir because it showed just how intense the focus on him is. Over here, the tabloids milked it for all it was worth, but the public responded with an incredible wave of solidarity, turning the incident into yet another testament to his iconic status.

This mix of high art and pop culture is his real strength. On one hand, you have the bloke being directed by Guillermo Del Toro and, with “Weak in Comparison to Dreams: A Novel” (that parallel project everyone’s quietly talking about, which is giving him serious literary credibility), showing he’s in it for the long haul. On the other, there’s the character that ends up on merch, on T-shirts, and that people want in their homes as a cardboard cutout. It’s a tricky balance, but he’s managing it with a surreal sense of calm.

Here’s what makes this moment special:

• The Oscar is within reach: If he wins, he’d become the youngest actor in years to take home the statuette for a horror/literary role, definitively raising the bar for his career.
• Italy adores him: He’s not just an actor; he’s an aesthetic obsession. Young Italians have made him their style icon, and there’s barely a celebrity event that doesn’t reference him in some way.
• The “monster” narrative: Thanks to Del Toro, the Frankenstein story becomes a perfect metaphor for his fame: an icon built piece by piece, both loved and feared, now seeking his own humanity through the industry’s recognition.

So, hold onto your hats. Because what we’re seeing isn’t just the promotion of a film. It’s the definitive crowning of an actor who has refused to be pigeonholed. Oscar or no Oscar, with the T-shirt or the cardboard cutout in your bedroom, Jacob Elordi has officially entered our daily lives. And some are betting this is just the beginning of a very, very long reign.