Jacob Elordi: From “Frankenstein” to the Oscars – The Phenomenon Taking Italy by Storm

If you thought the Jacob Elordi fever was bound to cool down after the success of “Euphoria” and “Priscilla”, get ready to think again. Over the last year, the Australian actor has made a quantum leap, propelling himself into a whole new stratosphere – that of Hollywood’s A-list. And the engine behind this meteoric rise has a very specific name: “Frankenstein: Written and Directed by Guillermo Del Toro”.

I know, it sounds strange to talk about Frankenstein as a launchpad for a major star, but we’re not dealing with your usual monster. With Guillermo Del Toro at the helm, a visceral masterpiece is expected. And judging by the early whispers circulating among industry insiders and the buzz from critics, Elordi delivered a performance so physical and tortured that it’s captivated the Academy. Yes, you heard that right: the guy who once stole scenes in a TV series is now officially an Oscar nominee. And it’s not just a token nomination, either. People are seriously talking about a possible win.

Ever since the news of the nomination broke, the spotlight on him has been intense. But what really fascinates me is how Italy is experiencing this phenomenon. It’s not just the usual story of a handsome actor who appeals to female audiences. This is total cultural immersion. Take a stroll 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 the under-25 crowd, but you also spot them on fifty-somethings who discovered him through the more auteur-driven phase of his career.

And then there’s the pop culture side, the one that really makes me smile. You know those celebrity cutouts, the life-size cardboard standees? Well, limited editions featuring his likeness – often tied to his Frankenstein character but also to the classic arcade-style standee – are flying off the shelves. I’ve seen a couple displayed 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 way beyond simple movie fandom.

To understand just how big this moment is, you only need to look at what happened a few weeks back. There was all this confusion about an alleged “deportation” at a border control, a fake news story that came out of nowhere and spread like wildfire on social media. In reality, according to sources close to the actor’s camp, it wasn’t anything so dramatic: just the usual rigorous check for a work visa. The story still caused a stir because it showed just how much tension surrounds him. Over here, the tabloids milked it for all it was worth, but the public responded with an incredible wave of support, turning that incident into yet another sign of his iconic status.

This blend of high art and pop culture is his true strength. On one hand, you have the actor being directed by Guillermo Del Toro who, with “Weak in Comparison to Dreams: A Novel” (that parallel project people aren't talking much about but which is giving him serious literary credibility), shows he's intent on building a solid career. On the other, you have the character who ends up on merchandise, T-shirts, and that people want to have in their homes in the form of a cardboard cutout. It’s a tricky balance, but he’s handling it with a surreal sense of calm.

Here’s what makes this moment so special:

• An Oscar within reach: If he wins, he’ll become the youngest actor to take home the statuette for a horror/literary role in years, definitively raising the bar for his career.
• Italy adores him: He’s not just an actor, he’s an aesthetic obsession. Young Italians have crowned him a style icon, and there isn’t a single high-profile 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 pieced together, loved and feared in equal measure, now seeking his own humanity through the industry’s recognition.

So, hold onto your hats. Because what we’re witnessing isn’t just the promotion of a film. It’s the definitive coronation of an actor who has chosen not to be boxed in. With or without an Oscar, with a T-shirt or a cardboard cutout in your bedroom, Jacob Elordi has officially become a part of our daily lives. And some are betting this is just the beginning of a very, very long reign.