Elvis
The life story of Elvis Presley as seen through the complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker.
Despite a considerable budget of $85.0M, Elvis became a commercial success, earning $288.7M worldwide—a 240% return.
Nominated for 8 Oscars. 92 wins & 236 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Elvis (2022) demonstrates precise narrative architecture, characteristic of Baz Luhrmann's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 39 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Elvis Presley
Colonel Tom Parker
Priscilla Presley
Gladys Presley
Vernon Presley
B.B. King
Main Cast & Characters
Elvis Presley
Played by Austin Butler
The King of Rock and Roll, a young performer from Mississippi who becomes the biggest music star in the world while struggling with exploitation and identity.
Colonel Tom Parker
Played by Tom Hanks
Elvis's manipulative manager who controls and exploits him for decades, narrating the story from his deathbed perspective.
Priscilla Presley
Played by Olivia DeJonge
Elvis's wife who meets him as a teenager and becomes his devoted partner, struggling with his infidelities and lifestyle.
Gladys Presley
Played by Helen Thomson
Elvis's deeply devoted mother whose love and eventual death profoundly shapes his life and emotional struggles.
Vernon Presley
Played by Richard Roxburgh
Elvis's father who is well-meaning but weak, often deferring to Colonel Parker's authority over his son.
B.B. King
Played by Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Legendary blues musician who becomes Elvis's friend and musical influence on Beale Street in Memphis.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Colonel Parker lies dying in a Las Vegas hospital, beginning his narration. Establishes the parasitic relationship and Parker's unreliable perspective on Elvis's story.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 19 minutes when Elvis performs at the Louisiana Hayride, gyrating provocatively. The audience erupts in hysteria while authorities and moralists are scandalized. Elvis becomes an overnight sensation and cultural threat.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 38 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Elvis signs with Colonel Parker, making the irreversible choice that will define his career. He enters Parker's world of calculated fame and control, leaving behind his independent path., moving from reaction to action.
At 76 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 48% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat The 1968 Comeback Special. Elvis performs in black leather, reconnecting with his raw, authentic self against Parker's wishes. False victory - he proves he's still relevant, but Parker immediately traps him in the Las Vegas residency contract., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 116 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Elvis discovers the full extent of Parker's betrayal - his astronomical debt, Parker's illegal immigrant status preventing international tours, and the realization he's been a prisoner. His spirit breaks completely., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 126 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Elvis's death at Graceland. The ultimate loss of agency - not a triumph but a tragic end. The realization comes too late: his authentic self was consumed by the machine Parker built., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Elvis's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Elvis against these established plot points, we can identify how Baz Luhrmann utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Elvis within the drama genre.
Baz Luhrmann's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Baz Luhrmann films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.7, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Elvis takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Baz Luhrmann filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include After Thomas, South Pacific and Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. For more Baz Luhrmann analyses, see Romeo + Juliet, Australia and Strictly Ballroom.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Colonel Parker lies dying in a Las Vegas hospital, beginning his narration. Establishes the parasitic relationship and Parker's unreliable perspective on Elvis's story.
Theme
Young Elvis hears gospel and blues music in the Black community tent revival. The merging of Black and white musical traditions - "that's the way to save your soul" - establishes the theme of authenticity versus exploitation.
Worldbuilding
Flashbacks establish Elvis's childhood in Tupelo, his family's poverty, his exposure to Black musical culture, and his early performance style. Parker recalls discovering Elvis and the cultural powder keg of 1954 America.
Disruption
Elvis performs at the Louisiana Hayride, gyrating provocatively. The audience erupts in hysteria while authorities and moralists are scandalized. Elvis becomes an overnight sensation and cultural threat.
Resistance
Colonel Parker schemes to become Elvis's manager. Elvis debates signing with Parker versus staying with his current management. Parker promises to make Elvis the biggest star in the world while manipulating his parents.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Elvis signs with Colonel Parker, making the irreversible choice that will define his career. He enters Parker's world of calculated fame and control, leaving behind his independent path.
Mirror World
Elvis meets Priscilla Beaulieu in Germany during his Army service. She represents genuine connection, innocence, and the possibility of a normal life outside Parker's control.
Premise
Elvis's meteoric rise: television appearances, the Ed Sullivan Show controversy, Hollywood films, and his evolution as the biggest star in America. The fun and spectacle of superstardom, even as Parker tightens control.
Midpoint
The 1968 Comeback Special. Elvis performs in black leather, reconnecting with his raw, authentic self against Parker's wishes. False victory - he proves he's still relevant, but Parker immediately traps him in the Las Vegas residency contract.
Opposition
Elvis trapped in the Las Vegas International Hotel residency. Parker's gambling debts deepen his control. Elvis's marriage crumbles, his drug use escalates, and he becomes increasingly aware of Parker's manipulation but feels powerless to escape.
Collapse
Elvis discovers the full extent of Parker's betrayal - his astronomical debt, Parker's illegal immigrant status preventing international tours, and the realization he's been a prisoner. His spirit breaks completely.
Crisis
Elvis's final performances in 1977. His health deteriorates, addiction consumes him, and he performs through pain and exhaustion. The dark night before his death, aware of his exploitation but unable to break free.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Elvis's death at Graceland. The ultimate loss of agency - not a triumph but a tragic end. The realization comes too late: his authentic self was consumed by the machine Parker built.
Synthesis
Parker's final justifications and the aftermath of Elvis's death. The revelation of Parker's true nature and the posthumous recognition of Elvis's cultural impact. The cost of the American dream.
Transformation
Archival footage of the real Elvis performing, his music living on. Despite Parker's exploitation, Elvis's authentic artistry and cultural revolution endured. The price was paid, but the transformation of American culture was permanent.