Standing at six feet five inches, actor Jacob Elordi has emerged as one of the most compelling talents of his generation. Following his breakout performance in the teen romance trilogy The Kissing Booth on Netflix, he quickly moved away from standard heartthrob roles to assemble an extraordinarily diverse filmography. His work across high-profile projects such as Euphoria, Deep Water, Saltburn, Frankenstein, and Wuthering Heights has earned him widespread acclaim. With his newest feature film The Dog Stars arriving in cinemas, where he takes on the lead human role, film lovers have a prime opportunity to look back at his career evolution. While many of his major projects have dominated pop culture conversations, three of his finest performances have slipped under the radar for mainstream audiences despite offering some of his most nuanced work.
Sofia Coppola's Intimate Biopic Priscilla (2023)
Director Sofia Coppola brought a remarkably distinct perspective to the 2023 biographical drama Priscilla, which centers on the life of Priscilla Presley. Streaming on Netflix and MUBI, the film deliberately avoids romanticizing or mythologizing her legendary husband. In doing so, it creates space for a grounded exploration of their complex dynamic. Jacob Elordi delivers a raw and emotionally volatile performance as Elvis Aaron Presley, capturing both the unmatched magnetism of The King of Rock and Roll and the darker, more troubling aspects of his private persona.
Rather than presenting a grand caricature, Elordi portrays Elvis with a fragile vulnerability that illuminates the morally ambiguous corners of his character. Critics and audiences have noted that Elordi provides one of the most authentic and realistic portrayals of Elvis captured on screen, stripping away the spectacle to reveal the human being beneath. The role also features his memorable vocal delivery of the phrase "Priscilla, baby", which became a widely recognized highlight among fans of the performance.
Mid-Century Queer Drama On Swift Horses (2025)
Adapted from Shannon Pufahl's acclaimed literary novel, On Swift Horses presents a delicate study of queer love, personal identity, and social repression in mid-twentieth century America. Directed by Daniel Minahan, the film is available to stream on Now TV. The narrative unfolds across a changing American landscape, supported by an impressive ensemble cast including Daisy Edgar-Jones, Will Poulter, Diego Calva, and Sasha Calle.
Elordi delivers a standout performance as Julius, a Korean War veteran who transitions into a life as a drifter. Julius finds himself drawn to Henry, a casino worker portrayed by Diego Calva, resulting in intense screen chemistry and emotional depth. Beyond his natural charisma, Elordi conveys the profound internal turmoil of a man grappling with suppressed desires and emotional trauma. His sensitive handling of Julius' inner life makes this performance one of the most compelling portrayals of quiet heartbreak in recent cinema.
Visceral WWII Epic The Narrow Road To The Deep North (2025)
Director Justin Kurzel adapted Richard Flanagan's Booker Prize winning novel The Narrow Road To The Deep North into a gripping limited series, streaming on BBC iPlayer. The series provides an unflinching look at the severe hardships endured by Australian prisoners of war forced to construct the Burma Railway during World War II. It explores heavy thematic territory, focusing on post-traumatic stress disorder, survivor guilt, and lifelong grief.
Elordi leads the series as Dr. Dorrigo Evans, an Australian army surgeon who serves as the emotional core of the narrative. The story follows a love affair spanning five decades, which sustains Dorrigo through the horrors of wartime captivity while leaving him haunted long after the conflict ends. Elordi subjects himself to immense physical and emotional demands throughout the production, anchoring the narrative with deep vulnerability. Despite the dark historical setting, the series incorporates moments of intense beauty, romantic tenderness, and resilience, cementing Elordi's performance as a career milestone.
