"The Economist" described the tension "between pain and pleasure" in the film and praised Chalamet portrayal of Elio, saying that he "evokes so many shades of humanity, portraying a path of youthful self-discovery that is more raw, unhinged, and ultimately honest than many actors could manage".For "Vanity Fair", Richard Lawson wrote that
"Chalamet has the bearing of a natural; he’s deeply committed to his character" and that he also manages to "infuse Elio with something of himself, too, as the best movie stars do".