Jacob Elordi: From Netflix Teen Idol to Oscar Contender
Australian actor Jacob Elordi has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, evolving from the fresh-faced lead of Netflix’s The Kissing Booth films into a critically acclaimed performer earning recognition from major awards institutions. At 28, Elordi has proven himself capable of taking on complex, transformative roles that showcase his range as an artist.
Early Success and the Euphoria Breakthrough
Born in Brisbane on June 26, 1997, Elordi rose to initial prominence through the Kissing Booth franchise, which ran from 2018 to 2021. While those films brought him widespread recognition, his role as Nate Jacobs in HBO’s Euphoria marked his true artistic breakthrough. His portrayal of the troubled, manipulative high school football player demonstrated a depth that surprised many who had only seen him in Netflix rom-coms. The performance proved to be what critics called an “impressive career pivot,” revealing an actor willing to embrace darker, more challenging material.
A Year of Critical Acclaim
Elordi’s career has accelerated dramatically in recent years. In 2023, he starred as Elvis Presley in Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla, a performance that showcased his ability to inhabit iconic figures. That same year, he delivered what many critics described as a star-making turn in Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn, playing the charming and dangerous Felix Catton. The role earned him a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and established him as an actor capable of carrying prestigious, high-profile films.
Frankenstein and Awards Season Momentum
The Australian actor’s most recent major project has become his biggest yet. In Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, released on Netflix in October 2025, Elordi plays the Creature—a role that required him to undergo a complete physical transformation. Working with acclaimed prosthetics artist Mike Hill, Elordi endured extensive makeup sessions applied over 20 separate occasions. Rather than a traditional monster design, Elordi’s interpretation showcases the Creature’s emotional depth and humanity as it evolves from a newly-created being into a thinking, feeling adult capable of understanding its own abandonment.
The performance has resonated with audiences and critics alike, and Elordi has become an unexpected contender in the awards conversation. As of late November, he ranks at 52 percent odds for an Oscar nomination in the Best Supporting Actor category—up 9 percent from the previous week. This marks a significant achievement for an actor playing what traditionally might be dismissed as a monster role.
What’s Next: Wuthering Heights and Beyond
Looking ahead, Elordi is set to star opposite Margot Robbie in director Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, scheduled for release on Valentine’s Day weekend 2026. In an interview with IndieWire, Elordi revealed that he originally planned to take an entire break from acting before Fennell personally reached out to him. The film has generated considerable anticipation, with early trailers suggesting a passionate, visually stunning take on the classic gothic romance.
A Thoughtful Approach to Craft
What distinguishes Elordi among contemporary actors is his apparent thoughtfulness about his career choices. He has spoken openly about the objectification he faced early in his career, particularly following The Kissing Booth, and has deliberately sought roles that challenge him as a performer. His work with del Toro on Frankenstein exemplifies this approach—he describes trusting the acclaimed director’s vision completely, saying: “I wasn’t afraid, because I knew that Guillermo knew.”
The Australian Talent Making an Impact
From a working-class background in Brisbane—his father was a house painter who immigrated from Spain’s Basque Country—Elordi has risen to become one of the most compelling young actors working in cinema today. His journey from couch-surfing in Los Angeles while auditioning for Euphoria to becoming an Oscar contender represents a compelling underdog story in Hollywood.
As 2026 approaches, Jacob Elordi stands at an interesting crossroads. He has demonstrated his capacity for transformative, critically-acclaimed work while maintaining significant commercial appeal. Whether he receives Oscar recognition for Frankenstein or goes on to further critical success with Wuthering Heights, Elordi appears to have successfully transitioned from teen idol to serious actor—a journey that many young performers attempt but few accomplish with such conviction.