Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 Elvis Presley biopic, simply titled ‘Elvis,’ is probably the first movie most people think of when it comes to a cinematic chronicling of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s life and career. But the following year, director Sofia Coppola released ‘Priscilla,’ which tackles the same subject matter from a very different angle. And I think it’s a better movie.
While ‘Elvis’ is all flashing lights, glittering outfits and pure showmanship, “Priscilla” explores the King from a very different perspective by instead focusing on his Queen. It’s certainly a more biting biopic, and with Jacob Elordi as the iconic rocker, and “Alien: Romulus” star Cailee Spaney as the eponymous Priscilla Presley, this psychological drama is overlooked.
Fortunately, it’s finally stepping out of the shadow of Baz Luhrmann’s crowd-pleasing rival, and getting its deserved moment of attention. “Priscilla” recently arrived on Netflix in the U.S., and is already climbing the streaming service’s top 10 most-watched list. It’s currently ranked No. 3 behind only “Man on Fire” and true crime doc “Evil Influencer.”
If you missed “Priscilla” on the theatrical stage in November 2023, its resurfacing on Netflix is the perfect opportunity to catch up. Here’s what you need to know.
What is ‘Priscilla’ about?
Less of a career highs-and-lows biopic, “Priscilla” is instead adapted from Priscilla Presley’s memoir “Elvis and Me.” The actress was married to the music legend for six years, between 1967 and 1973, so she certainly has a deep insight into his character and his tumultuous career.
Opening in 1960, Priscilla Beaulieu (Cailee Spaeny) is a 14-year-old living on a military base in West Germany. Here she meets Elvia Presley at a house party; already his star was rising, but he wasn’t quite the King yet. There’s an instant and intense connection between the pair, and soon a romance begins, despite the age gap and worrying power imbalance.
The movie chronicles their relationship, which frequently leaps between tender and toxic. “Priscilla” offers a fascinating insight into an American icon behind closed doors, and Coppola isn’t afraid to cast a more critical eye over the King. It's a movie that doesn’t pull its punches.
‘Priscilla’ is the superior Elvis Presley movie, now on Netflix
I suspect plenty of Netflix subscribers will be drawn to “Priscilla” because of Jacob Elordi. A rising star in Hollywood playing a figure as iconic as Elvis is quite the elevator pitch. Elordi is great in the role, he strips away the flash from the character, giving a more nuanced performance than Austin Butler’s turn in Baz Luhrmann’s biopic. Plus, he has the young Elvis look down to a tee, enough to have plenty of viewers swooning.
However, for as much as Elordi playing Elvis might draw attention, this is Cailee Spaney’s movie through and through. After all, it’s called “Priscilla” for a reason. She was nominated for a Golden Globe for her work, and this recognition was very much deserved. Priscilla is an excellent figure to center a movie around. Across the flick, she transitions from a wide-eyed young girl, completely under Elvis’ bewitching spell, to a headstrong and independent woman, capable of pushing back, and not shy about demanding what she wants from life and her husband.
“Priscilla” is at its strongest when it’s exploring its titular character’s mental state. Being married to a rock and roller is no easy task, and it turns out that while a glided cage might shine brightly, at the end of the day, it’s still a prison cell. This absorbing psychological component helps “Priscilla” stand out from the more cookie-cutter Hollywood music biopics that have become increasingly common in the last half-decade.
The shifting dynamic between the two lead characters is “Priscilla’s” beating heart, and it’s a fascinating relationship to watch ignite and then break apart. Coppola explores the inherent power imbalance between the two in interesting ways, and it all leads to a seriously bittersweet finale, which feels completely appropriate for this take on Elvis’ story.
If you want a “Greatest Hits” biopic that incorporates the singer's most beloved tunes, then you won’t find that in “Priscilla.” But this movie trades mass appeal for something significantly darker, and in my opinion, far more compelling. Elordi and Spaney are excellent in their roles, Coppola is the perfect filmmaker for this tale, and if you’re going to watch any Elvis Presley biopic, there’s no question, it should be “Priscilla."
Not feeling it? Then here’s a guide to everything new on Netflix this week. Or, you could check out the streaming service’s latest crop of thriller movies, which includes a gripping war movie starring Mark Wahlberg and is based on a true story of heroism.
Watch "Priscilla" on Netflix now
Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds.
More from Tom's Guide
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
