‘The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga’ Netflix Series Review - A Must Watch

Mississippi, a land steeped in contradictions, history, and folklore, provides the perfect backdrop for The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga. This wild and fascinating tale, chronicled in Netflix’s latest docu-series, takes viewers on a rollercoaster ride through the bizarre life of Paul Kevin Curtis, a man whose story is as eccentric as the town he hails from—Tupelo, the birthplace of Elvis Presley.

From the outset, the film introduces us to the vibrant characters of Tupelo, whose quirks embody the town’s unique blend of reality and myth. There’s the cinema clerk spinning tales about Elvis’ first kiss (with the caveat of “rumor has it”), a founding member of the original Elvis fan club, and a sheriff whose claim to fame is “replacing Elvis’ third cousin.” These colorful personalities set the stage for a story so absurd, it feels fictional—except it isn’t.

At the heart of this saga is Kevin Curtis, a Tupelo native raised on “Jesus, Elvis, and cornbread.” Kevin and his brother Jack once dazzled audiences as Elvis impersonators, with their double act even drawing the attention of singer Laura Curtis, who later married Kevin. Their lives seemed idyllic—family, a steady income, and a home that symbolized the American Dream. But that dream began to crumble when Kevin, now an Elvis-themed cleaner, took on a contract at the North Mississippi Medical Center, an event that would change everything.

During a routine cleaning job at the hospital, Kevin stumbled upon what he claimed was a macabre discovery—a morgue freezer filled with body parts. While most would chalk this up to normal donor procedures, Kevin saw it as evidence of a sinister organ-harvesting conspiracy. His decision to broadcast his suspicions led to his dismissal, but it also planted the seed of paranoia that would soon take over his life.

What follows is a tale that spirals into utter chaos, involving Elvis impersonators, feuds, conspiracy theories, and an attempted assassination of then-President Barack Obama. The narrative gains complexity with the introduction of James Everett Dutschke, a man described aptly as a “douchebag,” whose actions drive the story into even darker territory.

The film excels in portraying Kevin as both a protagonist and an enigma. Despite his unreliability, his charm and knack for storytelling make him captivating. His testimonies, inter-cut with those of his brother and ex-wife, paint a picture of a man whose reality seems at odds with the world around him. Kevin is the kind of character you’d happily listen to for hours, enthralled by his ability to turn even the most mundane events into a saga.

The narrators—locals with Southern wit and flair—add authenticity, making you feel like you’ve stumbled into a dive bar where everyone has a story to tell. The cinematography and pacing ensure the narrative remains engaging, even as it delves into increasingly bizarre territory.

By the end of The Kings of Tupelo, viewers marvel at the absurdity of the events and the human propensity to mix myth with reality. Equal parts crime saga and cultural exploration, this series is an unforgettable journey into the heart of Southern eccentricity.

Final Score- [7/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times