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Tep into the private world of a pop culture icon with Sofia Coppola's Priscilla – a retelling and re-examining of a modern American myth.

Based on Priscilla Presley's autobiography, Elvis & Me, and with Presley as executive producer, this gorgeous new drama is powered by electric performances from Cailee Spaeny (who won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the 2023 Venice Film Festival) and Jacob Elordi (known for his superb work in HBO's Euphoria and Emerald Fennell's recent drama Saltburn).

Paired with Academy Award winner Sofia Coppola's immaculate eye for details and design, Priscilla delves into the complexities of the relationship between the titular young woman and the American legend, whom she first met when she was just 14 years old.

Having lovingly realised Marie Antoinette's interior life with her 2006 biographical drama, and previously adapted bestsellers including The Virgin Suicides and The Beguiled into sumptuous, thoughtful films, no filmmaker seems better suited to tackle the complexities of Priscilla's story.

Coppola approaches the subject with her signature thoughtfulness and care, particularly regarding the age gap between Elvis and Priscilla, and his often erratic behaviour during their marriage.

Fans of Coppola's past work will perhaps recognise her frequent collaborators in the form of costume designer Stacy Battat and cinematographer Philippe LeSourd, who turn their own immense talents to lovingly capturing the period setting, resplendent with miniskirts, eye- catching prints and a dreamy aesthetic that reflects Priscilla's shift from adolescence to adulthood.

In the central role, Spaeny is a magnetic presence, able to capture Priscilla's vulnerability as well as her remarkable strength. Playing Priscilla over the course of 14 years, she delivers a breakout performance opposite Elordi, who provides a layered portrait of Elvis – so much so, that it's easy to understand why the couple had such a complex relationship.

In the spirit of Marie Antoinette, Priscilla also features a masterfully eclectic soundtrack, including tracks by The Ramones, Spectrum and Tommy James and The Shondells. This perfectly evokes what Priscilla herself might have been listening to at the time.

Although this is absolutely Priscilla's story, care is taken to ensure that the film captures the nuances of Elvis and Priscilla's turbulent relationship. From tender moments to blazing arguments, Coppola doesn't shy away from challenging her audience, asking us to apply compassion and understanding, while also emphasising the importance of our formative years in shaping who we become as adults.

Coming to audiences so soon after Baz Luhrmann's Elvis, Priscilla acts not as a rejoinder but a companion piece. The two films are completely different but together they form a fascinating picture of love, darkness and stardom.

For fans of Coppola, Priscilla is a stunning addition to her already remarkable filmography, but for newcomers, it's a brilliant entry point into the stylish, sensitive worlds that she creates with her films.

Beautifully balanced with a wry sense of humour and stunning imagery, Priscilla is a moving story of celebrity, love and growth – one that looks particularly magnificent seen on the big screen.   Hannah Strong

Quick Q&A: Sofia Coppola

Why did you cast Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla?
Talking to Priscilla, I always found something very sweet and soft and open about her and when I saw Cailee, I saw those qualities. Cailee is so expressive with her face, and she has an incredible ability to move between different stages of life. We shot the film out of order but somehow, she could be a 15-year-old in Germany in the morning and in the afternoon be pregnant in her 20s at Graceland, and both felt equally true.

How did Jacob Elordi approach playing Elvis?
Jacob really went for it. He already has a lot of natural charisma but he really tried to embody not just the physicality of him, but also the emotional side as Priscilla knew him.