Priscilla 2023

In the sweltering summer of 1959, 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu (Cailee Spaeny) finds herself drawn into a whirlwind romance with none other than the King himself, Elvis Presley (Jacob Elordi). As she sips milkshakes at a local diner near a military base in Germany, where her father Captain Beaulieu (Ari Cohen) is stationed, a young man approaches her with an invitation to a party that just so happens to be attended by the one and only Elvis. After Priscilla agrees to ask her parents for permission, they arrive at the scene, and the young man asks them himself.

Intrigued by the prospect of meeting this rock ‘n’ roll icon, Priscilla attends the party and is immediately drawn to Elvis’s charisma. The two begin chatting privately, with Elvis opening up about the recent loss of his mother, which had left a profound impact on him. As they bond over their shared sense of vulnerability, Priscilla finds herself smitten with the King, and he returns her feelings.

As the days turn into weeks, Priscilla’s thoughts are consumed by Elvis, even as she navigates the challenges of high school. Her parents, Captain Beaulieu and Ann (Dagmara Dominczyk), grow increasingly concerned about the significant age gap between their daughter and this adult icon, but Elvis wins them over with his charm and promise to treat Priscilla well.

When Elvis’s military service comes to an end, he returns to the United States, leaving Priscilla in a state of depression. Her mother Ann tries to rally her, encouraging her to move on and find someone closer to her age. Years would pass before Elvis would reach out once more, this time asking Priscilla to join him at his iconic Graceland estate.

Despite her parents’ protests, Elvis buys Priscilla a ticket to spend the summer with him in Memphis, where she quickly becomes fast friends with the staff and even meets Elvis’s grandmother, affectionately known as “Dodger” (Lynne Griffin). As they party and take drugs together, Priscilla finds herself swept up in the decadent lifestyle of the King and his entourage. Eventually, she returns to Germany and is eventually allowed to rejoin Elvis at Graceland, where she finishes out her school term.

As Priscilla spends more time with Elvis, he encourages her to transform her look, introducing her to a new hairstyle (a beehive do) and makeup routine. At her new Catholic school, she’s treated differently due to her association with the King, but as she navigates this new chapter in her life, it becomes clear that Priscilla is willing to make some major changes for love.

As the spotlight shines brighter on Elvis’s burgeoning film career, Priscilla (Priscilla Presley) finds herself increasingly left in the shadows at Graceland, grappling with her husband’s growing distance and perceived infidelity. The suspicions are fueled by Elvis’s frequent encounters with co-star Ann-Margret, leading Priscilla to confront him about his alleged indiscretions in Los Angeles. However, Elvis’s response is dismissive, leaving Priscilla feeling belittled and abandoned.

Over time, Priscilla begins to uncover a different side of Elvis - one that is critical, controlling, and increasingly cold. He nitpicks her appearance, treating her like arm candy when socializing with friends. The tension between them simmers just below the surface, culminating in a violent pillow fight where Elvis’s pent-up frustrations boil over, causing him to strike Priscilla too hard. On another occasion, his ego takes a hit when Priscilla candidly critiques one of his new songs, prompting him to lash out and slam a chair against the wall.

The fragile state of their relationship is further strained in 1967 when Elvis finally proposes to Priscilla, whom he marries shortly after. However, as Priscilla becomes pregnant with Lisa Marie, Elvis begins to feel suffocated by his domestic responsibilities and seeks solace in his work and substance abuse. As the years pass, Priscilla grows weary of Elvis’s absences and alleged infidelities, particularly when newspapers report on his associations with Nancy Sinatra.

In a desperate attempt to reclaim her independence, Priscilla starts living separately from Elvis with their daughter in California, where she finds solace in her karate instructor Mike Stone (Evan Annisette). Meanwhile, Elvis continues to indulge in reckless behavior, showering Priscilla with unwanted advances during one of his performances in 1973. Rebuffed and heartbroken, Priscilla makes a final stand, announcing her intention to leave him and file for divorce.

As she packs her bags and says goodbye to the life they once shared at Graceland, fans gather outside the gates, unaware of the tumultuous years that have transpired behind closed doors. With a heavy heart, Priscilla drives away, leaving Elvis and his crumbling kingdom in her rearview mirror.