Famous Director Questions Jacob Elordi’s Image: “Is He a Sex Symbol or a Respected Actor?”
Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar has shared his thoughts on actor Jacob Elordi and whether his recent roles truly show his full acting ability. The comments were made during an appearance on the Spanish podcast “La Pija y la Quinqui,” according to the show.
Almodóvar spoke openly about Elordi’s fast rise in Hollywood. He said the actor is clearly becoming a major name in the industry. At the same time, he raised doubts about how people should currently view him as a performer. He questioned whether Elordi is mainly seen for his looks or if he has already proven himself as a serious dramatic actor.
He said in translation, “I’ve been wondering whether he’s just a sex symbol or a respected actor.” He added that he would need to see Elordi take on a more demanding role before making a final judgment about his talent.
The director also commented on some of Elordi’s recent films. He suggested that certain projects do not fully allow the actor to show depth. He mentioned “Wuthering Heights” and “Frankenstein” as examples, saying the scripts and roles may not give enough space for complex performance work. He described “Wuthering Heights” as “very bad,” while also stressing that his criticism was not aimed at Elordi or co-star Margot Robbie.
On “Frankenstein,” directed by Guillermo del Toro, Almodóvar said the role can rely more on visual style and presence than emotional range. In his view, that kind of character does not always challenge an actor to explore deeper layers.
He made it clear he is still open to seeing more from Elordi in the future. He said, “We need to see him — or at least I do — in another role that demands more of him.”
Jacob Elordi has become one of the more visible young actors in recent years. He gained attention through “Euphoria” and later appeared in films like “Priscilla” and “Saltburn.” His role in “Frankenstein” also brought him more awards season attention. Outside of English-language projects, Elordi has shown interest in acting in Spanish-language films, but he has said he would first need to learn the language.
From a wider perspective, Almodóvar’s comments reflect a common debate in film industries about rising actors. Some gain fame quickly through popular roles, but critics often wait to see if they can handle more complex material over time.
What do you think about this situation? Do you agree with Almodóvar’s view, or do you think Jacob Elordi has already proven his range? Share your thoughts in the comments.
