Jacob Elordi is the name on everyone’s lips right now after a startling rise over the past couple of years, but he’s still not done enough to please acclaimed director Pedro Almodovar.
After getting his big breakthrough in “Euphoria,” Elordi carved out an impressive career so far. He’s worked with the likes of Sofia Coppola, Emerald Fennell, and the legendary Guillermo del Toro.
With the latter, Elordi even did enough to secure an Oscar nomination for his performance as The Monster in “Frankenstein.” Meanwhile, “Wuthering Heights” is arguably the most talked about movie of 2026, for better or worse.
However, awards recognition and box-office success is not enough to convince Spanish filmmaker Almodovoar of Elordi’s talents, with the veteran director suggesting Elordi may be little more than a “sex symbol.”
Appearing on the La Pija y la Quinqui podcast (via HuffPost), Almodovar was told that Elordi had previously stated he loves his work (as per The LA Times). Surprisingly, Almodovar did not exactly respond positively.
“Did he really say that? I think Jacob Elordi is going to be a big star — no doubt about that. But lately I’ve been wondering whether he’s just a sex symbol or a respected actor… I need to see him in something that asks more of him, at least,” he said.
Almodovar didn’t stop there, either. He went on to criticize Elordi’s most recent movies, adding: “It’s just that “Wuthering Heights” is very bad. And it’s not Jacob Elordi’s or Margot Robbie’s fault — they do what they can. It’s not even kitsch.
“What’s happening with Frankenstein adaptations is that they’ve become these filthy creatures, made from pieces of other bodies — it’s always been a horror story. But now they’ve added a kind of sexualised imagery to it; they’ve made the monster attractive. He has to speak in that deep, low voice, and that’s much easier than using a more expressive range. So, in that sense, “Frankenstein” is very convenient for an actor.”
Sounds like Elordi shouldn’t expect a call from Almodovar to collaborate any time soon, then.