The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Across dusty highways and a wide desert, two drag performers and a transgender woman mount a bold road show. Tick and Adam, performing as Mitzi and Felicia, travel with Bernadette in a bright battered bus named Priscilla. They bring sequins, laughter, and a stubborn sense of belonging, staging a cabaret that mixes glittering numbers with frank talk about love, loyalty, and the search for a place to call home. The trip threads together comic mishaps, late night conversations, and moments of quiet vulnerability as the trio faces rough towns, skeptical crowds, and the physical toll of a long tour. The result is a daring, affectionate portrait of chosen family under an expansive Australian sky.

Directed by Stephan Elliott from an original screenplay, the film blends sharp wit with glossy musical numbers and a flinty road movie rhythm. It marks a bold Australian departure that brings queer performance into mainstream theaters while maintaining a distinctly local sensibility about family, friendship, and identity.

With a budget of 2 million, it grossed about 29.7 million worldwide, proving that a stylish, inclusive road story could reach broad audiences. The film gained traction through positive word of mouth and festival attention, expanding its theatrical run internationally.

Costume design by Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner gave the film its signature look, turning Priscilla into a mobile fashion show that helped redefine queer cinema for a wide audience. The glittering outfits, character driven performances, and a road trip vibe became cultural touchstones, inspiring drag culture and travel narratives.

Critics praised its warmth and humor, noting how the trio negotiates acceptance, prejudice, and the costs of performing identity. The film treats performance as self-definition, friendship as chosen family, and travel as a test of resilience while exploring themes of tolerance, self-acceptance, and joy, with warmth that lingers after credits.