Jacob Elordi reached a major career milestone at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards after winning Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Frankenstein, directed by Guillermo del Toro.
The award was presented during the January 4 ceremony in Santa Monica. It marked Elordi’s first major acting win and quickly emerged as one of the evening’s most talked-about moments.
Clearly surprised, the 28-year-old actor began his acceptance speech with a candid reaction. “Bloody hell. I really didn’t plan for it,” he said, drawing laughter and applause from the audience. He then praised del Toro for his influence, saying, “Thank you, Guillermo del Toro. I love you. We all love you. You made my dreams when I was 11.” Elordi also thanked his parents for their support.
Jacob Elordi wins Best Supporting Actor for "Frankenstein" at the #CriticsChoiceAwards.
"Bloody hell. I really didn’t plan for this…. Guillermo del Toro, I love you. We all love you. You made my dreams when I was 11."https://t.co/6nmxG1f4rJ pic.twitter.com/hxmhTUHZQE
— Variety (@Variety) January 5, 2026Elordi triumphed in a strong category that included Benicio del Toro for One Battle After Another, Paul Mescal for Hamnet, Sean Penn for One Battle After Another, Adam Sandler for Jay Kelly, and Stellan Skarsgård for Sentimental Value.
In Frankenstein, inspired by Mary Shelley’s classic novel, Elordi plays the Creature, created by Victor Frankenstein, portrayed by Oscar Isaac. The character enters the world with promise but faces rejection when he fails to meet his creator’s expectations. Left alone, he must navigate a hostile and confusing society.
Congratulations to Jacob Elordi, winner of the Critics Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor for “Frankenstein.”#criticschoice #criticschoiceawards #Frankenstein pic.twitter.com/WWqCWczddU
— Critics Choice Awards (@CriticsChoice) January 5, 2026Elordi has described the role as deeply personal. Speaking at a press conference during the Venice International Film Festival in 2025, he said, “You today, all of it is in that character. He’s more me than I am.” That connection appears to have resonated strongly with critics and audiences.
Read: Jacob Elordi on 10-Hour Makeup for Frankenstein: “A Creative Gift”
Awards momentum continues for Elordi. He is also nominated for the Golden Globe Awards on January 11, further confirming this season as a defining chapter in his acting career.
