High-stakes heists are often the most exhilarating driving force behind compelling crime thrillers. But filmmaker Andrew Patterson is proving that the genre can also thrive on the nostalgia that makes a community feel like home for its residents, who can overcome any conflict with the support of their loved ones. In his new movie, The Rivals of Amziah King, the director chronicles the loving, but equally troubled, reunion between the titular beekeeper, played by Matthew McConaughey, and his foster daughter in a close-knit community.
Besides helming the drama, Patterson also co-wrote his latest feature, which is the follow-up to his acclaimed 2020 debut, The Vast of Night, with James Montague. The duo borrowed from different genres, including Westerns and musicals, to highlight how the eponymous main character conquers every new challenge, including how his business affects his relationship with his estranged daughter, with grace and charm.
Set deep within the backwoods of rural Oklahoma, The Rivals of Amziah King follows the charismatic and musically gifted titular protagonist as he herds a bluegrass-playing band of misfits while overseeing the premier honey-making operation in town. When his estranged Choctaw foster daughter, Kateri (Angelina LookingGlass), unexpectedly returns home, he takes the chance to renew their connection. He also forms the idea to bring her into the family business in a leadership role.
But the honey industry is ruthless, and Amziah has to fend off the business’ criminal element. He’s determined not to allow his rivals destroy everything he has built.
But Amziah’s dreams don’t go according to plan as Kateri becomes the key force in his business. One of his biggest rivals (Russell), a highly successful but corrupt businessman, becomes a threat for her as she begins running her father’s company. So she calls on the help of his trusted friends (Scott Shepherd and Owen Teague) and a local hacker (Cole Sprouse) to take their rival down and protect everything Amziah has built.
The casting, especially for McConaughey and LookingGlass, is impeccable for such a character-driven genre film like The Rivals of Amziah King. The Oscar-winning actor, whose last non-voice acting appearance was in the 2019 action comedy The Gentleman, effortlessly brought his character’s down-to-earth charm to the screen in the new thriller. As Azmiah, McConaughey commands the screen as a courageous leader of his small Oklahoma community, who’s driven by his desire to protect the safety and innocence of his fellow residents.
Alongside her on-screen father figure, LookingGlass gives a memorable performance in her movie debut. While initially returning home to reunite with Amziah, the actress highlights how Kateri fearlessly takes on the fight to protect his business against a cunning rival who Russell made to appear very respectable on the surface.
Alongside McConaughey and LookingGlass’ stellar performances, The Rivals of Amziah King highlights the protagonist and his foster daughter’s tender commitment to, and spiritual connection with, each other and the bees through its ambitious aesthetic. Composers Erick Alexander and Jared Bulmer crafted emotionally gripping and soulful bluegrass musical sequences that were played by the band led by Amziah.
The music is led by the gorgeous cinematography of M.I. Littin-Menz, who infused the overall story with soft, clear lighting that gives the drama a sense of naturalism and sentimentalism. That brilliant lighting accompanies slow-motion effects that emphasize Amziah’s confidence as he approaches any situation, whether he’s going to work with his bees or reinforce a connection within his community.
While Patterson and Montague crafted strong characters, particularly in Amziah and Kateri, the thriller’s main drawback is the unraveling of its narrative in the second half. Clocking in at an unnecessarily long two hour and 10 minute runtime, the film starts to loose clarity in its storytelling at the half-way point. With some characters, notably Kateri, and situations underdeveloped, The Rivals of Amziah King‘s editor, Patrick J. Smith, struggled to turn vignettes and musical interludes into a coherent narrative.
Despite the story loosing a bit of its coherence during its second half, overall The Rivals of Amziah King is a spellbinding crime thriller that draws inspiration from Westerns and musicals. Under Patterson’s direction, his story became a poetic embrace of nature and community, particularly with the help of McConaughey and LookingGlass’ performances. Combined with Alexander and Bulmer’s soulful musical sequences and Littin-Menz’s spiritual cinematography, the feature proves what an original voice Patterson is in the smaller genre film space.
Grade: B+
If you liked the film, leave your comment below!
Check out more of Karen Benardello’s articles.
The Rivals of Amziah King made its world premiere in the Narrative Spotlight section at the 2025 SXSW Film and TV Festival.
When does this come out in theaters