British documentary film-maker James Marsh (Wisconsin Death Trip) makes his first directorial fiction debut with The King. Marsh collaborated with Hollywood screenwriter Milo Addica (Monsters Ball, Birth) to create a sharp and hard-hitting movie that confronts the power of religious conviction.

Elvis Sandow (Gael Garcia Bernall) is a twenty-one year-old who has just been discharged from the Navy. He heads straight for Corpus Christi, Texas to find his long-lost father, David (John Hurt). His absent father is now the pastor of a thriving Baptist Church. His father lives the suburban dream with a beautiful wife and two wonderful and near-perfect children. Pastor David doesn't want his family to know of Elvis. David is uncomfortable with Elvis as it reminds him of his wayward life before he found Jesus.

So Elvis finds other rather menacing ways of becoming close to his father and his step-family. The King is a haunting film with expert performances and Bernal putting on an impressive and credibly evil performance for his first major English language role.

The King opens on Friday,19th May on limited release.
Cert:18