Jacob Elordi Tells Venice Official “Don’t Ever Tell Me What To Do,” Then Tears Up During 14-minute Ovation for Frankenstein
Jacob Elordi was filmed telling a Venice Film Festival official “Don’t ever tell me what to do” while greeting fans at the world premiere of Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein.
Hi, I’m Jaden Patel, your dry-humored guide to the land where red carpets meet real-life customer service. Consider this your neatly folded drama recap, pressed and starched with facts.
Let’s all take a moment to pretend we’re shocked. Elordi, 28, stepped onto the Venice scene in a classic black suit and bow tie to debut his turn as The Creature in Netflix’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel. Then came the moment that launched a thousand comments: according to a clip shared on TikTok, the Euphoria star paused to take photos with fans, announced “I’m going to take a picture right here,” and snapped at a festival official, “Don’t ever tell me what to do.” The New York Post highlighted the exchange and the swift online fallout, while Deadline later captured Elordi’s more reflective side during the film’s press conference.
The clip, which amassed more than 640,000 views, came with a twist. The TikToker behind it praised Elordi as “so nice” for taking photos “with everyone he could.” The comments section, however, was not in a cuddly mood. “That was really super rude of Elordi,” wrote one viewer. “Poor guy he was just doing his job,” added another. A third chimed in with the security PSA no one asked for: “He’s there for your safety.” If you were hoping for a consensus, welcome to the internet.
Elordi’s team has been contacted for comment, per the Post, though no word yet on whether he will upgrade to the “we were all a little stressed” explanation. Regardless, the premiere quickly pivoted from snippy sound bite to standing O. After the screening, Venice delivered one of its signature ovations, clocking in at roughly 13 to 14 minutes. Elordi teared up, embraced director Guillermo del Toro and co-star Oscar Isaac, and confirmed that yes, there are still emotions left after back-to-back photo calls.
At the press conference, Elordi described how fully he disappeared into the role of the Monster, telling reporters that it became a vessel for “every part of myself” and that the on-screen creature is the “purest form of myself.” Per Deadline’s coverage, he also revealed the kind of commitment that redefines early call times: about 10 hours in the makeup chair each day to transform into The Creature. If your morning routine takes longer than a coffee and an apology, at least now you have a benchmark.
Frankenstein’s ensemble is stacked like a prestige film bingo card. Elordi plays the Monster opposite Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein, with Mia Goth in a key role tied to Victor’s affections. Supporting players include Christoph Waltz, Felix Kammerer, Lauren Collins, Lars Mikkelsen, Charles Dance, and Ralph Ineson. The film will open in limited theaters on October 17, before heading to Netflix on November 7, which means you have roughly a month to decide whether you are Team Theater or Team Couch Blanket.
On the ground, the optics remain fascinating. On one side, a star taking time to meet fans. On the other, a festival official likely trying to keep a high-security event moving. The tension is familiar: the same irresistible force that makes viral video bait meets the immovable object known as event protocols. The result is a seven-word clip that will live rent-free on Film Festival TikTok for at least a week.
What is not up for debate are the receipts. The incident is in publicly posted video, the Post cataloged both the exchange and the reaction, and Deadline documented Elordi’s thoughtful comments about the role. Together they paint a picture that is less scandal and more snapshot: a celebrity squeezing in selfies, a staffer doing his job, a sharp exchange, and a crowd that then stood and clapped long enough to make smartwatches proud.
So where does the saga go next? Watch for whether Elordi or the festival addresses the exchange as Frankenstein rolls through its press cycle, and keep an eye on how the performance itself lands once audiences outside Venice weigh in. If the tears at the premiere were any indication, the monster may be cuddly enough to win over critics, even if the crowd control remains less huggable. Well, there you have it. Humanity at its finest.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, Deadline, TikTok
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