Introduction:
Riley Keough, granddaughter of Elvis Presley, has once again stirred both admiration and controversy with her latest short documentary, In Process Riley Keough, filmed entirely at the legendary Graceland estate. Known for her acting prowess and creative ventures, Riley’s decision to bring cameras into virtually every corner of her grandfather’s home has left fans divided — some celebrating a rare, intimate glimpse into the Presley family life, others decrying what they see as a violation of an American cultural treasure.
The six-and-a-half-minute black-and-white documentary showcases Riley narrating her creative process while revisiting the spaces that shaped her childhood. From casual picnics on the sprawling backyard lawns to quiet moments in Glattis and Vernon’s bedroom, Riley invites viewers into a world often regarded as untouchable. Some scenes echo iconic Elvis photographs, subtly connecting the family’s past to its present. Fans noticed Riley lying on the bed in the first-floor bedroom, a pose reminiscent of 1950s images of the King himself, and interacting with the estate’s horses, adding layers of personal history and nostalgia.
The controversy stems largely from the tension between preservation and personal legacy. Devout Elvis enthusiasts have expressed concern over the casual use of historically significant rooms. One fan lamented seeing actors lounge on couches and swim in the pool — spaces that, during public tours, are treated as sacred artifacts. Another warned of potential damage to the original pool table, an iconic fixture in the mansion. Yet others defended Riley’s creative freedom, noting that Graceland is her inheritance and that her choices honor the home as a living space, not just a museum.
Riley’s perspective is rooted in personal memory. In interviews, she emphasized that for her, Graceland has always felt like a bustling family home filled with warmth, laughter, and meals shared with loved ones. “It didn’t feel like a museum,” she recalled. “It felt very full of family… it’s the most usual place in the world for me.” This human-centered approach gives viewers a new way to connect with Elvis’s legacy — not merely as the King of Rock ’n’ Roll, but as part of a family whose private joys and traditions are rarely documented on film.
In Process Riley Keough also highlights Riley’s role as a woman filmmaker navigating her own pressures in the industry. She reflects candidly on the challenge of embracing imperfection and creativity without fear of failure — a theme that mirrors her approach to the film itself.
Premiered at the TBECA Film Festival in New York City in June 2025, the film is part of a limited documentary series co-directed by Riley and her collaborators, offering an intimate, unfiltered look into both her creative life and the spaces that inspired her. As Graceland approaches the 50th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s passing, Riley’s work reimagines the estate as a place alive with family memory, artistic exploration, and ongoing dialogue between history and the present.
Whether fans see her film as a heartfelt homage or a controversial intrusion, one thing is certain: Riley Keough has sparked a conversation about what it truly means to preserve legacy while living within it. Graceland, for the first time in decades, feels alive again — vibrant, personal, and undeniably human.