The King is a 2005 drama film about a troubled man, recently discharged from the Navy, who goes to Corpus Christi, Texas, in search of the father he's never met.

The film stars Gael García Bernal, who received strong critical acclaim for his portrayal of the main character Elvis, as well as William Hurt, Pell James, Paul Dano and Laura Harring.

It was written by its British director James Marsh and also by Milo Addica, the Academy Award–nominated writer of Monster's Ball and Birth.

A man enlisted in the U.S. Navy, Elvis Valderez (Gael García Bernal), is discharged and purchases a used car to travel to his “home” in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Pastor Sandow confronts Elvis, who shows him a snapshot of his mother Yolanda, with whom he had relations many years ago before becoming a Christian.

Having met Pastor Sandow's teenage daughter Malerie earlier at the church, he soon begins to pick her up from school where they go on drives and take walks at a local park.

After they have sex, he leaves the house in the middle of night and is spotted by Paul, who follows Elvis back to his motel and interrogates him about his affair with his sister.

During a Sunday sermon, Pastor Sandow's wife Twyla walks out of the church, still distraught over Paul's disappearance and doubting the existence of God.

Malerie is repulsed and distraught knowing their relationship is incestuous, but Elvis simply places a paper crown upon his head when she says to him, "We’re going to hell."

The website's consensus reads: "This disturbing film about the past coming back demanding its due evokes classical tragedy, but is ultimately too heavy-handed.

Roger Ebert gave it 3.5/4 calling it, “the kind of work where characters develop on their own, without consulting the book of clichés”.