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

If you thought the Jacob Elordi fever would 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 that has catapulted him into a whole new 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 sounds strange to talk about Frankenstein as a launching pad for a star, but this isn't just any monster. With Guillermo Del Toro behind the camera, we’re expecting a visceral masterpiece. And judging by the early whispers making the rounds among industry insiders and critics, Elordi delivered such a physical, tormented performance that he’s captivated the Academy. Yes, you read that right: the guy who once stole scenes in a TV show is now officially an Oscar nominee. And not just a filler nomination, either. There’s serious talk of a potential win.

Ever since the nomination news broke, the spotlight on him has exploded. But what I find fascinating is how Italy is experiencing this phenomenon. It’s not just the usual story of a handsome actor popular with female audiences. This is a full-blown cultural takeover. 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 those under 25, but you’ll also spot them on fifty-somethings who discovered him through the more arthouse trajectory of his career.

And then there’s the pop culture side, the part that really makes me smile. You know those celebrity cutouts, the life-size cardboard standees? Well, the limited editions featuring his likeness – often tied to his Frankenstein character, but also the classic arcade-style standee – are flying off the shelves. I’ve spotted a couple hanging in hipster joints in Bologna, and in Naples, they were used for a flash mob before the first trailer dropped. It’s become a viral sensation that goes beyond simple movie fandom.

To understand the scale of the moment, just look at what happened a few weeks ago. There was all that confusion over an alleged “deportation” at a border control – a piece of fake news 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 tight checks for a work visa. Still, the story made waves 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 support, turning the incident into yet another testament to his icon status.

This mix of high art and pop culture is his real strength. On one hand, you have the guy being directed by Guillermo Del Toro, who, with “Weak in Comparison to Dreams: A Novel” – that parallel project that doesn’t get much buzz but is giving him serious literary credibility – shows he’s aiming to build a solid, lasting career. On the other, there’s the persona that ends up on merchandise, t-shirts, and that people want in their homes as a cardboard cutout. It’s a tough balance to strike, but he’s handling it with an almost surreal calm.

Here’s what makes this moment so special:

• The Oscar is within reach: If he wins, he’d 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 society event that doesn’t somehow reference him.
• The “monster” narrative: Thanks to Del Toro, the story of Frankenstein becomes a perfect metaphor for his fame: an icon built piece by piece, loved and feared in equal measure, now seeking his humanity through the industry’s recognition.

So, hold on tight. Because what we’re witnessing isn’t just a film’s promotional run. It’s the definitive coronation of an actor who has chosen not to be boxed in. 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 that this is just the beginning of a very, very long reign.