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The internet has thoughts about Jacob Elordi’s shocking win at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards over frontrunner Benicio del Toro.
During the Sunday, January 4, awards show, Elordi, 28, was announced as the winner for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as The Creature in Frankenstein. In addition to del Toro, Elordi faced off against Adam Sandler, Paul Mescal and Stellen Skarsgård. While accepting the accolade, Elordi confessed he did not expect to take home the award.
“Bloody hell. I really didn’t plan for it,” the Euphoria star said before thanking Frankenstein director Guillermo del Toro. “Thank you, Guillermo del Toro. I love you. We all love you. You made my dreams when I was 11. I’m so happy to be here.”
Elordi also thanked the members of the Frankenstein team who helped him become The Creature, and in addition to his parents.
Benicio, 58, was up for his critically acclaimed role in One Battle After Another, which also stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor and more.
Following Elordi’s upset win, fans took to social media to express their disappointment that Benicio didn’t take home the award on Sunday.
“Benicio del Toro didn’t win the #CriticsChoice for Best Supporting Actor- he lost to Jacob Elordi in Frankenstein,” one user wrote via X. “This decision really surprises me- I think del Toro gave one of the year’s best performances. Hoping he still has a shot at an Oscar.”
Another fan applauded both Elordi and Benecio for their performances in their respective films, but believed that the One Battle After Another star was slightly better.
“Both performances were strong, but del Toro delivered something unforgettable. Awards aside, his work this year will be remembered,” a fan replied.
While some fans were rooting for Benecio, others defended Elordi’s win.
“Frankenstein dominated the screen with a range of emotions. Love Del Toro but Elordi did way more and had a much more complex character to do,” one fan wrote via X. “Del Toro’s character was mainly just a badass throughout. Elordi went from sheep to monster to human.”
Another fan gushed over how Elordi’s interpretation of The Creature expanded on the classic character’s representation.
The 2026 Critics Choice Awards was full of unforgettable moments, but there was a lot that viewers didn’t get to see during the broadcast. Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner put their relationship on display during the ceremony, which was held on Sunday, January 4, at the Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Airport in California. […]
“Frankenstein was a masterpiece, culturally impactful, and Jacob Elordi revolutionized the character of Frankenstein, a character that was played by many before him and a classic that has been referenced for centuries at this point,” another shared. “His win makes sense. No jab at del Toro.”
To play The Creature, Elordi underwent a physical transformation with prosthetics and makeup. Guillermo revealed that the process took “10 hours every day” and Elordi handled it like a champ.
“He did it all with grace and patience and love,” the director said in an October 2025 interview with E! News. “I told him, ‘Look, it’s like when a priest is getting dressed, there are many layers to the robes and the ceremonial guard. You have to think, this is your Ceremonial Guard. You’re invoking the Creature. And the result is heartbreaking and beautiful. It’s a really naked performance — emotionally so close to innocence that it breaks your heart.”
