AceShowbiz - During a recent appearance on the La Pija y la Quinqui podcast, acclaimed Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar expressed curiosity about the reasons behind the rising fame of actor Jacob Elordi. Almodóvar pondered whether Elordi's success stems from being a "sex symbol" or a genuinely respected actor within the entertainment industry.

Almodóvar acknowledged that Elordi’s stardom is undeniably real but admitted to some reservations regarding the actor’s recent projects. "I can now see that Jacob Elordi's stardom is indeed real," the director remarked, according to HuffPost. However, he added, "I was still wondering whether he was a sex symbol or a respected actor."

The filmmaker specifically criticized the 2026 film Wuthering Heights, in which Elordi starred alongside Margot Robbie. Almodóvar described the movie as "very bad," though he clarified that his issue was not with the performances of Elordi or Robbie, stating, "They do what they can."

Almodóvar also discussed Elordi’s acclaimed portrayal in Frankenstein, a role that earned the actor his first Academy Award nomination, as well as nods from the Golden Globes, Actor Awards, and Critics Choice Awards. The director noted that the titular role in Frankenstein can be a "comfortable" part for an actor to undertake and praised Guillermo del Toro’s fresh and attractive interpretation of the classic monster.

Despite the praise, Almodóvar emphasized the need to see Elordi take on roles that challenge him more deeply. "We still need to see him, at least I do, in another role that demands more from him," he stated.

Currently, Elordi is starring in the third season of the hit TV series Euphoria, a project that has significantly elevated his profile in the industry. His recent and upcoming film projects include Wuthering Heights (2026), Priscilla (2023), Saltburn (2023), and the forthcoming Ridley Scott-directed film The Dog Stars.

Elordi’s performance in Frankenstein not only earned him an Oscar nomination but also garnered recognition from several prestigious award bodies, marking a milestone in his burgeoning career.