The Wasteland Reviewer

The Rivals of Amziah King (2026) Written Review

What has Matthew McConaughey been doing lately? Outside of Academy Award nominee The Lost Bus, McConaughey has been mostly taking a step back from acting since the pandemic. There have been a few voice performances like Agent Elvis, but he didn’t have a leading role in a live action film from 2019 until 2025. Lucky for audiences, there is something special on the horizon coming for August to bring McConaughey back to the forefront. Director of The Vast of Night Andrew Patterson has a vintage, genre-bending romp heading to the big screen this August with The Rivals of Amziah King. 

What is this musically inclined neo-western/crime thriller about? McConaughey portrays a charismatic renaissance man who is a beekeeper, musician, and anchor of his local community in backwoods Oklahoma. From the opening scene when we witness McConaughey’s Amziah leading a group of musicians playing outside of a drive-in restaurant, we understand this man is a pillar of the community. One of the most interesting elements of this film is the setup of Amziah for the first hour of the film. Getting his honey making equipment up and running, saving an elementary school from bees, and reconnecting with his former foster daughter (Angelina LookingGlass’ Kateri) all show just the type of person that he is. But when his bees are stolen and tragedy strikes, Kateri goes out on a dangerous journey to find the culprit for her father figure. One of the most intriguing elements of the film is that no character is presented as a perfectly good person. They all have flaws and it makes for a dynamic that feels more authentic and engrossing. The subversive approach to narrative structure and story pay-offs is quite fascinating. There are a handful of moments that just come as a massive shock and will certainly keep you on your toes. Amziah and Kateri make for an excellent duo of characters that anchor you into this unexpected story. 

How does Patterson bring this story to life from behind the camera? From the opening scene, you fully understand that Patterson is going for a fresh and dynamic tone for this film. There is something quite joyous sprinkled throughout the film (especially when the characters break into music performances that are dynamic and moving). But Patterson does not shy away from the rich drama that fills out this film. There are moments of great tension and suspense along with some truly weighty emotional beats that just might shake you to the core. Tonally, this is a film that runs the gambit of emotions which is quite fascinating. There is propulsive energy that keeps the audience engaged for this two-plus hour journey with Amziah and Kateri. The music elements of the film are quite poignant, and they bring so much emotion and feeling to the surface of the film. Looking at this film, there is just so much warmth and texture in every shot in a way that most films just lack. This feels like a throwback and homage to a grittier time of filmmaking and cinematographer M.I. Littin-Menz does plenty of heavy-lifting, accomplishing that. The costume designs are pitch perfect as well with Amziah’s outfits giving him so much personality and Kurt Russell’s antagonist just rocking that southern white suit, cowboy hat, and cane combination. 

Where does the cast come into play here? McConaughey is just a charismatic lightning rod who grabs the audience’s attention any moment he shows up on screen. The charisma mixed with that charming roguish behavior makes Amziah such a compelling presence in the film. He sells the musicianship and performances whenever the film leans into its musical inclinations. He also brings weight and emotion to this character who will tug at our heartstrings as well. LookingGlass is a relative unknown, but she holds her own on screen with McConaughey. She brings a unique dynamic that makes her easy to root for and care for even when she must go to great lengths to solve this crime against her former foster father. In the scenes that they get to share, they have such a convincing bit of chemistry. Russell gets to flex his charisma and presence here with his weight and grit. There is a level of intimidation that works so well and makes him a compelling antagonist. Russell’s swagger goes a long way in this one. What makes this film feel, so engrossing is just how believable and authentic this crew of characters feel. Scott Shephard, Rob Morgan, Tony Revolori, Cole Sprouse, and Owen Teague are just a batch of actors who add layers and texture to this fresh and subversion tale. 

Is The Rivals of Amziah King a satisfying, late summer flick to enjoy? Patterson pulls off something quite impressive…he delivered a film that has a fresh story, unexpected beats, and plenty of feels to tie it all together. The music envelops you with plenty of feeling and emotion. There is a quirky sense of joy and hope that Patterson conjures. The dual leads of McConaughey and LookingGlass bring this film to life so perfectly. Rich filmmaking and a melding of genres gives The Rivals of Amziah King a refreshing feel that will reach out and grab you.