Austin Butler’s TikTok Method Acting Era!

As part of the promotion for his upcoming film Eddington, Butler has created a new TikTok account, in character, as Vernon Jefferson. We’re not just talking a few scripted lines or behind-the-scenes peeks. He’s fully immersed in the persona -- costume, accent, and all. It’s an unconventional move that’s blurring the line between marketing stunt and performance art, and fans are eating it up.

Much like his commitment to Elvis, Butler’s commitment to the Vernon persona is total. The TikToks have grainy lighting, vintage filters, and cryptic monologues that give nothing away plot-wise but hint at a deeper narrative. It feels less like a movie promo and more like an immersive alternate reality experience, like you’ve stumbled into a character study that just happens to be unfolding on your For You Page.

Some of his TikToks show Vernon making coffee in an old trailer. Others show Vernon preaching at an event. One particularly viral clip shows Vernon answering questions from a live stream, but instead of acknowledging TikTok or modern slang, he responds in outdated language, fully rooted in character.

Reactions across TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) range from stunned respect to playful confusion, and fan edits have already flooded TikTok, remixing his clips with music and theorizing about Vernon’s backstory. Others are playing along, commenting in character, or even showing up to live streams dressed in Eddingtoncore: denim, flannel, and existential dread. And then there’s the fascination: Butler’s known for staying deep in character -- his Elvis drawl lingered for months after filming wrapped. So it leaves fans wondering: when will Vernon leave? Or is this just who he is now?

Butler’s TikTok method era could mark a turning point in how films are promoted in the age of Gen-Z. Instead of relying on traditional media and commercials to push a film, Butler and the Eddington team are turning promotion into an interactive performance that unfolds in real time. It’s a high-risk, high-reward strategy. If the film delivers, it’ll deepen everything fans experienced online. If it doesn’t, well, at least the TikToks were art. But one thing’s for certain: in an era where movie marketing often feels formulaic, Austin Butler is doing something new, weird, and compelling.

Eddington, also starring Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, and Emma Stone, hits theatres on July 18!