Lisa Marie Presley, daughter Riley Keough share what it was like to watch ‘Elvis’

Introduction

The release of Baz Luhrmann’s biographical drama Elvis was more than just a cinematic event; for the family of the King of Rock and Roll, it was a deeply personal and transformative experience. In a moving segment from Good Morning America, Lisa Marie Presley and her daughter, Riley Keough, shared their emotional journey of watching the film and seeing Austin Butler’s portrayal of their legendary patriarch.

A Powerful Cinematic Tribute
The film, directed by the visionary Baz Luhrmann, aims to peel back the layers of the “superstar” persona to find the man and the boy underneath. Luhrmann notes that while the world knows Elvis the icon, the film provides the much-needed context of his upbringing and the sexuality of his stage presence that forever changed America.

Central to the film’s success is Austin Butler’s performance. Butler immersed himself in the role, even “wallpapering” his apartment with a timeline of Elvis’s life to capture the essence of the soft-spoken rebel. His dedication paid off, earning the highest praise possible from the people who knew the real Elvis best.

The Emotional Impact on the Presley Family
For Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis’s only child, the experience was profoundly intense. She initially watched the film on her own before viewing it again with her daughter, Riley Keough. Lisa Marie described the film as “exceptional,” noting that it stirred up “generational drama” in the best way possible.

The emotional weight of the film was immediate. Lisa Marie recounted that Riley was overcome with emotion almost instantly:

A visceral reaction: Riley Keough was “already crying” just five minutes into the screening.

A sense of realism: The performance was so convincing that Riley reportedly asked her mother, “Is that your dad?” while watching Butler on screen.

A Legacy That Never Faded
The segment highlights that although Elvis sang about “counting the days I’m gone” in his early recording sessions, his influence on popular music and his devoted fanbase ensures he has never truly left the cultural consciousness. The film Elvis serves as a fresh look at a game-changer who affected the world from the 1950s onward.

By gaining the “enthusiastic approval” of Lisa Marie and Riley, the film transitioned from a Hollywood spectacle to a validated piece of family history. For the Presleys, the movie was not just a retelling of facts, but a powerful, emotional connection to a man whose dreams and voice changed the world.

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