Sofia Coppola’s acclaimed film explores the isolation and loneliness
Niamh Spence Freelance Showbiz Reporter
08:00, 06 Jan 2026
The biopic is on the BBC tonight(Image: Sabrina Lantos)
A ‘touching’ and ‘captivating’ film offering an intimate glimpse into the life of one of the greatest music icons is set to wow viewers on BBC2 tonight.
Priscilla, a 2023 release from Sofia Coppola, is a biopic that unveils the untold tale of Priscilla Beaulieu’s relationship with Elvis Presley, told from her viewpoint.
The narrative traces their whirlwind romance, marriage, and eventual split, shedding light on her feelings of isolation and her journey to adulthood.
The story begins when she’s a teenager in Germany, meeting the music megastar for the first time.
The film delves into Elvis’s charm as both a heartthrob and a friend, but it also exposes the bleak, solitary truth behind the legend, as she grapples with his domineering personality and battles with his fame and drug addiction.
The film stars Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi (Image: Ken Woroner)
Upon its initial release, the film was met with a lengthy standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival and rave reviews, particularly for Cailee Spaeny’s portrayal of Priscilla alongside Jacob Elordi’s Elvis.
The film has since won over audiences, boasting an impressive score of 84 percent on the Tomatometer on film ratings website Rotten Tomatoes.
One glowing five-star review said: “Great movie! Very engrossing – felt like I was right there with her every step of the way. The chemistry between the lead actors was mesmerizing.”, reports the Mirror.
Another added: “A really well done biopic about Priscilla. Truly shows how even in a house full of people she was still lonely. Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi work really well as Elvis and Priscilla especially with the height difference. The music complements the film really well even without any Elvis songs. One I will rewatch over and over again.
“This movie is absolutely beautiful. i could watch it over and over again. it captures the affects and struggles of a toxic relationship, especially one with an age gap,” raved a third viewer.
‘Mind blowing’ biopic about controversial rock star is now streaming for free(Image: Ken Woroner)
Meanwhile, a fourth wrote: “A fascinating insight into the life of a very well-loved superstar, and a timid young girl. Everything, from the direction, to the acting, and to the costumes, was executed with perfection and elegance.”
One particularly impressed critic said: “Cailee Spaeny’s performance was outstanding, and her articulating her body language to say something without needing her voice was truly captivating. Jacob Elordi perfectly delivered the environment needed for Elvis Presley, the watcher both being disgusted by his actions, but still enamoured by his charm and charisma. No notes. Sofia Coppola, you did it again.”
Another review read: “A poignant but refreshing new lens into the impact of Elvis Presley from his wife Priscilla’s perspective. It shows just how inappropriate and messed up their relationship was, with just how young and isolated she was while under his increasingly dysfunctional and manipulative influence that feels genuinely creepy and unsettling.
“The main cast is terrific and feels more subtle than the previous Elvis movie. The cinematography is gorgeous and very engaging. My only major issue is that the final portion of the film feels too rushed and condensed. The pacing of the film up to that point flowed very well, but the end feels a little hollow with less payoff than what we could’ve gotten, at least compared to the previous Elvis movie (credit where credit is due). That being said, it’s still a terrific biopic that sheds new light on one of America’s most famous celebrity couples.”
Priscilla airs on Tuesday 6 January at 11pm on BBC2.
