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

If you thought the Jacob Elordi fever was destined 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 forward that has catapulted him into a whole new stratosphere—that of Hollywood’s biggest names. 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 strange to talk about Frankenstein as a launchpad for a leading man, but this isn’t your typical monster movie. 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 tormented that it captivated the Academy. Yes, you read that right: the guy who once stole scenes on a TV show is now officially an Oscar nominee. And it’s not just some minor nomination, either. There’s serious talk of a possible win.

Since the news of his nomination broke, the spotlight 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 appealing to female fans. There’s a full-on cultural appropriation happening here. Take a walk through downtown Milan or Rome, and you’ll see what I mean: “I Love Jacob Elordi” T-shirts have become a must-have for anyone under 25, but you also see them on fifty-somethings who discovered him through the more art-house 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-edition ones featuring his likeness, often tied to his Frankenstein character but also the classic arcade-style standee, are flying off the shelves. I saw a couple hanging in hipster spots 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 simple movie fandom.

To grasp the scale of this moment, just look at what happened a few weeks ago. There was all this confusion about a supposed “deportation” at a border control check—a fake news story that started who knows where and spread like wildfire on social media. In reality, according to sources close to the actor’s entourage, it wasn’t anything that dramatic: just the usual intense scrutiny for a work visa. The news still caused a stir because it showed just how high the tension is surrounding his persona. Over here, the tabloids milked it for all it was worth, but the public responded with an incredible wave of solidarity, turning that incident into yet another testament to his iconic status.

This mix of high art and pop culture is his true strength. On one hand, you have the guy being directed by Guillermo Del Toro and, with “Weak in Comparison to Dreams: A Novel” (the side project that’s not talked about much but is giving him serious literary credibility), showing he’s aiming to build a solid, lasting career. On the other, there’s the personality who ends up on merchandise, on T-shirts, and whom people want in their homes as a cardboard cutout. It’s a tough balance to strike, but he’s navigating it with a surreal calm.

Here’s what makes this moment 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 celebrity event that doesn’t somehow reference him.
• The narrative of the “monster”: 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 humanity through the industry’s recognition.

So, hold on tight. Because what we’re witnessing isn’t just the promotion of a movie. It’s the definitive coronation of an actor who has chosen not to be boxed in. With or without an 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.