Film Review – The Rivals of Amziah King (2026)

      The Rivals of Amziah King. 2026

      Written and Directed by Andrew Patterson

      Featuring Matthew McConaughey, Angelina LookingGlass, Kurt Russell, Cole Sprouse, Owen Teague, Scott Shepherd, Tony Revolori, Rob Morgan, Jake Horowitz, Catherine Dyer, Sandra Ellis Lafferty, Harrison Stone, Jason Davis, Bruce Davis, Sharon Blackwood, and Chip Carriere.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Amziah King, a beekeeper and musician who is a pillar of his community, reconnects with his former foster daughter Kateri after many years and faces challenges to his honey business.

      While waiting outside a fast food restaurant for his order to be fulfilled, Amziah King (played by Matthew McConaughey, seamlessly embodying the character) is showcased as the talkative, sympathetic heart of this Oklahoman community in Andrew Patterson’s second feature film, The Rivals of Amziah King. He performs with his bluegrass band (the music is captivating and worthy of award consideration) and is soon revealed to also be a beekeeper with a local honey business, transitioning into a mystery where detectives seek his expertise to help identify who might have stolen barrels of honey from elsewhere.

      This is before he reunites with his foster daughter Kateri (Angelina LookingGlass, impressive in her debut and effectively carrying the film in its latter half), giving him another opportunity to impart lessons of community kindness through music, potlucks, and familiar yet meaningful metaphors linking the hierarchy of bees to human relationships.

      Before this, during an inspection of honey in a factory with Amziah’s band, a near-fatal accident occurs, played for comedic effect since the person involved escapes with their life. At this juncture, the film raises questions about the tone the filmmaker aims for, especially considering Andrew Patterson’s previous clear-cut low-budget sci-fi film, The Vast of Night. However, The Rivals of Amziah King maintains a sense of coherence throughout.

      In fact, it remains a confident and assured work, delving into rural subculture with remarkable detail, prompting curiosity about Andrew Patterson’s familiarity with this world. The discussions around beekeeping, the musical instruments (one character ridicules another for confusing a ukulele with a mandolin), the depiction of the picturesque settings, and the characters' eccentricities are both quirky and charming. Matthew McConaughey effectively portrays this vibrant, quirky, genuine community.

      After experiencing loss and separation, Amziah joyfully welcomes Kateri back to town, mentoring her in beekeeping while encouraging her to perform with the band (which features notable actors like Owen Teague and Tony Revolori) and to engage in music. He invites her to a potluck, shares anecdotes about each dish related to the peculiar locals (who are truly offbeat individuals, some of whom are part of his close-knit circle), and fosters a spirit of community and forgiveness (some of his coworkers are formerly incarcerated).

      Andrew Patterson keeps the film refreshingly original, subtly heartfelt, and visually rich, particularly with scenes of the protagonists harmoniously swarmed by bees, symbolizing unity. The score by Erick Alexander and Jared Bulmer is exceptional and distinct, blending a variety of instruments rarely heard in contemporary films, enhancing the story's emotional depth.

      The first half boasts a relaxed tone, mostly focused on Amziah joyfully sharing his lifestyle with Kateri, while providing an opportunity for Matthew McConaughey to charmingly captivate audiences (it's a refreshing change to see him back to his roots rather than being featured in mundane commercials). A memorable comedic moment occurs during a beehive inspection at an elementary school, where some children have been stung, as he collaborates with his RV-dwelling coworker (Scott Shepherd), whose speech is often incomprehensible, to manage the situation and ensure the children's safety.

      Without revealing too much, the film shifts dramatically in the second half, emphasizing the film’s titular rivals, prominently featuring a villainous Kurt Russell whose character may have layers that don't fully resonate until late in the story. This leads to an unconventional heist set in nature, utilizing bridges and rivers. Kateri befriends Remmick (Jake Horowitz, reuniting with the director), another trusted ally of Amziah, as they delve into the central mystery. This section of the film explores darker, more thrilling themes, with Kateri willing to go to great lengths for revenge and to recover what rightfully belongs to Amziah.

      While much of the narrative is driven by the strength of its characters, there are moments where Andrew Patterson utilizes convenience and the unexpected to steer The Rivals of Amziah King in new directions. The storytelling transitions to Kateri taking the spotlight, and Angelina LookingGlass excels in this role, revealing new dimensions to her character, even if the crime-related storytelling can feel less tightly woven