Title – The Rivals of Amziah King (2025)

Director – Andrew Patterson (The Vast of Night)

Cast – Matthew McConaughey, Angelina LookingGlass, Scott Shepherd, Jake Horowitz, Owen Teague, Kurt Russell

Plot – Lovable beekeeper and keen musician Amziah King (McConaughey) finds his quiet life alongside his recently returned home foster child Kateri (LookingGlass) interrupted by shady operations that threaten his business and livelihood.  

“Ain’t no one all bad or all good”

Review by Eddie on 07/09/2026

An infectiously energetic and joyous movie going experience that combines elements of the Coen Brothers with hearty sprinklings of Terrence Malick and Wes Anderson, all the while walking to the beat of its own drum, Andrew Patterson’s sophomore feature film The Rivals of Amziah King is one of 2026’s great surprises, that is destined to become a cult favourite in the years to come.

Holding its world premiere at last year’s South by Southwest Festival where it created quite the stir with talks of awards and the great return of star Matthew McConaughey after years outside of the leading man spotlight, King has sadly seen a lack of notoriety since its wide release over the past few months, with many viewers missing out on the chance to enjoy Patterson’s wild dramedy in all its glory on the big screen.

Centred around McConaughey’s very McConaughey feeling Amziah, a music loving beekeeper from Oklahoma who has recently reunited with one of his past foster children, the now grown Kateri (a vibrant debut making Angelina LookingGlass), only to find his life turned upside down by some crafty criminals who are targeting local bee producers, King is a unique beast of a film that absolutely won’t vibe with every viewer but provides an unforgettable ride for those that do.

Home to what can only be described as one of the most unpredictable, charismatic and hilarious opening halves to a film I can recall over recent years, including an instant all time classic segment at a local high school in Amziah’s community, there’s going to be a fair amount of discourse around the change in tack of Patterson’s film that leads its second half proceedings but even though the flow and feel of the film has two clear distinct tones and goals, it doesn’t stop Patterson’s vision from creating something truly special.

Built around a clearly having the time of his life McConaughey performance, that is matched by the memorable first up turn from LookingGlass and great supports from the likes of Scott Sheppard as the loyal mumble-ridden Jimmy, Jake Horowitz as the industrious Remmick and Kurt Russell as the cane-wielding Dob McCoy, King rarely stops for a breath over its two-hour running time, gifting us a wondrously enthusiastic feature that works when its operating at high levels of comedic improbability as well as a quietly powerful meditation on the power of community and the human spirit.

In a just world King would be considered a key player at the upcoming awards merry go round which is about to take over Hollywood, but while it’s unlikely to get much in the way of notices in those circles and has suffered a disappointing outing at the box office booths, there’s little doubt in my mind that the legacy of Patterson’s film will surely and firmly build over the years as pundits discover a film that is full of heart, soul and hilarity.

Final Say –

A brilliantly realised madcap experience that thrives off the back of two awards worthy central turns and a narrative that is full of surprises and hilarity amongst the drama, The Rivals of Amziah King is a 2026 gem that is deserving of any future recognition it gets.

5 bumpy school bus runs out of 5