The "Aesthetic" Trap
If your teen is chronically on Pinterest or loves a specific kind of vintage Instagram filter, they’ve probably already seen stills from this movie. It is gorgeous. Every frame looks like a high-end fashion editorial, which is the Sofia Coppola trademark. But that beauty is a bit of a trap. The film uses its lush visuals to show how Priscilla was essentially a bird in a gilded cage.
While the 2022 Elvis movie felt like a two-hour sugar high, this is more like a slow, quiet comedown. It focuses on the silence of Graceland rather than the roar of the stage. Critics loved this approach, giving it an 84% on Rotten Tomatoes, but the audience score is significantly lower. That gap exists because this isn't a "fun" movie. It’s a study of loneliness and the weird, often uncomfortable power dynamics of a massive celebrity dating a teenager.
The Jacob Elordi Factor
A huge reason this is on your teen’s radar is Jacob Elordi. Between this and his work in Euphoria, he’s become the go-to actor for playing "complicated" (read: often toxic) heartthrobs. If your teen is following the Jacob Elordi effect, they’re likely ready for the more mature, darker themes he’s been gravitating toward lately.
In this film, he doesn't play Elvis as a hero. He plays him as a man who wants a very specific, controllable version of a partner. He picks out Priscilla’s clothes, tells her how to wear her hair, and expects her to be available whenever he calls. It’s a great entry point for a conversation about what control looks like in a relationship, especially when there’s a major age or power gap.
A Different Kind of Pacing
You should know that this is a slow burn. There are no concert sequences where the crowd goes wild. Instead, you get scenes of Priscilla waiting by the phone or walking through empty rooms. For a kid used to the rapid-fire editing of TikTok, this might feel "boring" at first. But for a teen who is into film as an art form, it’s a masterclass in mood.
If they liked the moody, atmospheric vibes of Euphoria but want something grounded in history, this works. It’s also one of the top 25 must-see movies for teens right now for those who prefer character studies over plot-heavy blockbusters.
The Reality of the Age Gap
The movie starts when Priscilla is 14 and Elvis is 24. It doesn't scream at you that this is "wrong," but it makes you feel the discomfort of it through the way she has to navigate her parents' rules while dating the most famous man in the world. It handles the "grooming" aspect with a quiet realism that is actually more effective than if it were loud and preachy.
The film ends exactly where it should, without a big Hollywood resolution. It leaves you thinking about the cost of being a "muse" to a powerful man. If you watch it with your teen, don't be surprised if the car ride home is a bit quiet. It’s a movie that needs some time to settle.
