The film depicts the real Elvis Presley. Austin Butler's portrayal of his performance style, voice, and charisma is widely acclaimed, though the script simplifies some personal complexities and influences.

Parker was Elvis's real manager. The film accurately shows his financial control, gambling, and preventing overseas tours (due to his illegal status), but his villainous portrayal is somewhat debated, and Tom Hanks's accent is exaggerated.

Priscilla was Elvis's real wife. The film depicts their meeting and marriage but downplays her young age (14) when they met and omits Elvis's later partners.

Gladys was Elvis's mother. Her strong bond with Elvis, difficulty coping with his fame, and struggles with alcohol leading to her early death are portrayed accurately.

Vernon was Elvis's father and involved in managing his affairs under Colonel Parker.

B.B. King was a real musician and friend/acquaintance of Elvis from the Memphis scene. The film accurately shows his presence and influence but likely exaggerates the closeness and frequency of their interactions for dramatic effect.

Parker became aware of Elvis around this time, partly via the Hayride, but he didn't stumble upon him at a carnival as depicted, nor did they meet on a Ferris wheel. Parker initially approached Elvis's then-manager, Bob Neal.

Elvis's performance style was genuinely shocking to conservative 1950s audiences and generated significant controversy.

Elvis was heavily influenced by blues, gospel, and R&B music he absorbed from Black artists and the Beale Street scene in Memphis. (Some argue the film underplays his country/white gospel influences).

Elvis was indeed drafted and served in the US Army from 1958-1960. (The film falsely implies this was an alternative to jail or engineered by Parker to clean up his image).

There was real conflict: Parker wanted a traditional Christmas show, while Elvis and director Steve Binder pushed for the raw, leather-clad performance that revitalized his career.

The assassination of Robert F. Kennedy deeply affected Elvis and directly inspired the inclusion of the hopeful song "If I Can Dream" as the finale for the '68 Special.

Elvis began a long and lucrative residency at the International Hotel (later the Las Vegas Hilton) in 1969.

This is widely believed to be true, stemming from Parker being an illegal immigrant (Andreas van Kuijk from the Netherlands) without a passport, fearing he couldn't re-enter the US if he left.

This did not happen. They had a major backstage argument in 1974 leading to a brief split and Parker presenting a huge invoice, forcing a reconciliation. The film invented the public, on-stage firing for dramatic effect.

Parker took an unusually high percentage (up to 50%) of Elvis's earnings and made deals that often prioritized his own benefit, including deep gambling debts owed to the hotel hosting the Vegas residency.

Elvis suffered from severe prescription drug abuse in his later years, contributing significantly to his declining health and early death.

The specific incident shown, including Elvis singing "Trouble" (which wasn't written yet) and Parker ordering him off stage due to a riot he provoked, is inaccurate.

They did meet in Germany while Elvis was in the Army, but the film downplays Priscilla's actual age (14) at the time, making their early relationship appear less controversial.

There's no evidence Parker was threatened by authorities like Sen. Eastland over his immigration status; Parker had declared his Dutch citizenship when he enlisted in the US Army years earlier.

The film accurately spans the key decades of Elvis's life and career.

Key locations are visually recreated with considerable attention to detail, capturing the distinct atmosphere of each place and time.

The vibrancy and musical richness of Memphis's Beale Street, crucial to Elvis's influences, are effectively portrayed.

The film captures the scale, glamour, and pressure of Elvis's legendary Las Vegas residencies at the International Hotel.

The film meticulously recreates Elvis's iconic stage wear and personal style throughout different eras, as well as general period fashion.

Concert scenes effectively capture the energy, choreography, and visual spectacle of Elvis's live performances across his career.

The film acknowledges the segregated South and the cultural shifts happening during Elvis's rise, positioning him as a figure bridging racial divides through music, though his direct activism was limited.

Elvis's famous home is recreated visually, reflecting its appearance during his lifetime.