Jacob Elordi is reshaping his Hollywood career by choosing demanding roles that reach beyond teen dramas and conventional romance. After becoming widely recognized through Netflix’s The Kissing Booth films and HBO’s Euphoria, the Australian actor has increasingly worked with filmmakers known for distinctive creative visions. His Academy Award nomination for Frankenstein has made this career evolution even more significant.
From Teen Heartthrob to Complex Characters
Elordi first gained widespread attention as Noah Flynn in The Kissing Booth franchise. His role as Nate Jacobs in Euphoria then introduced audiences to a darker, more volatile character. These projects gave him visibility, but his later choices demonstrated an interest in exploring different sides of his craft.
In Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla (2023), Elordi portrayed Elvis Presley through a performance shaped by the singer’s public image and private relationships. That same year, he appeared in Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn, playing the charismatic and unsettling Felix Catton. The film sparked extensive discussion about class, privilege, obsession, and social ambition.
The Biography.com profile of Elordi traces his progression from teenage stardom to increasingly ambitious screen roles.
Frankenstein Becomes a Career Milestone
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein gave Elordi a particularly demanding opportunity. Rather than playing a conventional leading man, he transformed into the Creature, a character whose physical presence conceals vulnerability, loneliness, and a search for belonging.
According to Netflix Tudum’s behind-the-scenes profile, the role required a major physical and emotional transformation. The Los Angeles Times examined his transformation and the creative work behind the Creature’s appearance.
The performance earned Elordi an Academy Award nomination for Supporting Actor in 2026. The Academy’s official 2026 awards page provides the ceremony’s nominees and results. The nomination represents an important recognition of his work in a major literary adaptation.
Prestige Projects and the Next Chapter
Elordi’s move into prestige cinema is not limited to one film. He appeared in Paul Schrader’s Oh, Canada, playing a younger version of Richard Gere’s character, and took a leading role in the limited series The Narrow Road to the Deep North. The latter also brought him a 2026 Golden Globe nomination, according to the Golden Globes official profile.
In 2026, he also starred opposite Margot Robbie in Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights. His upcoming projects include Ridley Scott’s The Dog Stars. In August 2026, Variety reported that Elordi was in talks to join Ari Aster’s A24 film Scapegoat; the report described his involvement as unconfirmed at that time.
Why This Career Shift Matters
Prestige cinema does not automatically guarantee commercial success, awards, or long-term influence. It does, however, give actors opportunities to explore complex characters and collaborate with directors who prioritize distinctive storytelling.
For Elordi, the next challenge is sustaining that range while balancing independent-minded projects with mainstream productions. His recent choices suggest a career built around transformation rather than a single screen persona. Whether audiences encounter him in gothic romance, psychological drama, or science fiction, the central question is how far his performances can continue to evolve.
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