Famous Director Questions Jacob Elordi’s Rise: “Is He a Sex Symbol or a Respected Actor?”

Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar has shared his thoughts on actor Jacob Elordi’s fast-growing career and whether he has fully shown his acting skills. The remarks came during an appearance on the Spanish podcast “La Pija y la Quinqui,” as reported by the show.

Almodóvar said he sees Elordi as a rising global star with strong potential. At the same time, he made it clear that he is still unsure how to classify him as an actor. He questioned whether Elordi is mainly known for his appearance or if he has already proven himself in more demanding dramatic roles.

He said, “I’ve been wondering whether he’s just a sex symbol or a respected actor,” adding that he would want to see the actor in more challenging roles before forming a final opinion.

The filmmaker also discussed some of Elordi’s recent projects. He suggested that certain films may not give the actor enough room to show depth or range. He mentioned “Wuthering Heights” and “Frankenstein” as examples. Almodóvar was especially direct about “Wuthering Heights,” calling it “very bad,” but he clarified that this was not a reflection on Elordi or co-star Margot Robbie.

Speaking about “Frankenstein,” directed by Guillermo del Toro, he said the role relies heavily on style and physical presence. In his view, this type of character does not always allow for strong emotional performance work.

He explained his position by saying, “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 first gained wide attention through the series “Euphoria.” He later appeared in films such as “Priscilla” and “Saltburn.” His work in “Frankenstein” also brought him more attention during awards season.

Outside of English-language projects, Elordi has shown interest in working in Spanish-language films in the future, but he has said he would need to learn the language first.

From a broader view, Almodóvar’s comments reflect a common situation in film industries where rising actors are closely watched early in their careers. Public image and role choices often shape how quickly they are seen as serious dramatic performers.

What do you think about Almodóvar’s comments? Do you agree with his view of Jacob Elordi, or do you think the actor has already proven his range? Share your thoughts in the comments.