The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga – Review | Netflix

THE KINGS OF TUPELO: A SOUTHERN CRIME SAGA on Netflix is a new three-part true-crime documentary. This has to be the craziest thing since TIGER KING. Do not miss it. Read our full The Kings of Tupelo docu-series review here!

THE KINGS OF TUPELO: A SOUTHERN CRIME SAGA is a new Netflix docu-series with just three episodes. Each is around one hour long (most a little longer) and you can see why. There is a lot of story to tell, and once you begin watching, you simply cannot look away.

If you’ve watched the trailer, then you have an idea of what to expect. Still, you can never be sure that the production is well-made. Fortunately, this one plays perfectly into the craziness of the subject. The editing alone is full of perfect comedic timing.

Continue reading our The Kings of Tupelo docu-series review below. Find all three episodes on Netflix from December 11, 2024.

Conspiracy and a few truths

The thing with conspiracies is that they often include some truth. Sometimes only a tiny grain of truth, but a wildly spun and vast conspiracy theory often stems from some nugget of truth.

In The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga, we go through quite a few of those theories. And not only are they connected, but they also tend to have an origin of truth to them.

Tupelo is essentially a small town known for being the birthplace of Elvis Presley. So, it should come as no surprise that this small-town feud includes an Elvis impersonator (multiple, actually, but you’ll see for yourself) at the heart of everything.

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I loved how the mother of this Elvis impersonator has a parrot nearby at all times. I immediately thought of Allison Janney as Tonya Harding’s mom in I, Tonya (2017).

Anyway, the Elvis impersonator is named Kevin Curtis and he does a deep dive into internet conspiracies. It may start with black market body parts but develop into a whole lot more. It would appear he’s been into most of the big conspiracies over the years.

He ends up being lost to his family as he starts living online and lives only for these conspiracies. It’s sad to watch – and hear his children speak about – but Kevin Curtis himself is living the dream of being “the sword of justice”.

He is the king of Tupelo and the world – in his own mind, anyway.

The best – and craziest – thing since Tiger King

Netflix releases many true-crime documentaries. Some are just okay, a few aren’t my cup of tea, quite a lot are really well-made, and then there are those that became viral hits. The Kings of Tupelo could be that last one.

Not unlike the hugely successful Netflix docu-series Tiger King, which The Kings of Tupelo reminds me of. In good ways, I might add.

Especially because this docu-series is also one of the well-made ones, so we’re getting a well-produced documentary about a subject that is rather complex in nature.

I mean, the true crime cases covered in this Netflix production are mind-boggling. Conspiracy galore featuring Elvis impersonators, an attempt on the life of a President, snatching of body parts, and a whole lot more.

All of it is one big mess and at the heart of it all, we find Kevin Curtis. He has written a script about the ordeal he’s been through and the docu-series uses his screenplay as a sort of red thread connecting all the dots.

It may sound strange, but it’s strangely appropriate and quite brilliant.

Watch The Kings of Tupelo on Netflix now

The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga comes from siblings and Emmy-winning directors Maclain Way and Chapman Way (Wild Wild Country, Untold). They manage to bring together all the key participants in this crazy story.

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From Kevin Curtis himself to the rest of Curtis’ family, friends, and foes. All to share every detail of the case. Both those supporting Kevin’s account of events and those who have another point of view.

I don’t know what I expected from this new Netflix true-crime documentary series, but I can tell you The Kings of Tupelo delivered. And then some. As mentioned already, this has a distinct Tiger King vibe, so if you loved that one, you have to watch this new docu-series.

This true crime may begin in Mississippi, but it spirals from being just another weird local drama to becoming a national scandal. As mentioned in some of the press material: Buckle up for a wild ride. This isn’t fiction — it’s Tupelo.

The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga premieres on Netflix on December 11, 2024.