Full Breakdown
The Rivals of Amziah King: A Southern Crime Thriller Blends Music, Heist and Revenge
8/12/2026, 12:25:20 AM
Release and Synopsis
“The Rivals of Amziah King” opens in U.S. theatres on August 14 and widens on August 21. The film follows Amziah King, a blue-grass-playing beekeeper in Oklahoma, who is recruited by police to trace a truck loaded with stolen honey. King’s former foster daughter Kateri (Angelina LookingGlass) assumes the lead after his hives are raided and a tragic accident occurs, seeking revenge against the honey-trade underworld led by a charismatic kingpin (Kurt Russell). The narrative mixes heist, revenge thriller, musical interludes and dark comedy.
Production Background
Writer-director Andrew Patterson, known for *The Vast of Night* (2019), crafted the story from his Oklahoma upbringing. The script was finished before McConaughey was approached; a four-hour Zoom meeting secured his involvement. Filming took place primarily in Oklahoma with additional locations in Alabama, a choice some critics said undermined authenticity. Both Patterson and McConaughey suffered bee stings on set; Patterson required emergency epinephrine after a two-hour encounter that left his eyes swollen shut.
Cast and Key Personnel
- Matthew McConaughey – Amziah King
- Angelina LookingGlass – Kateri
- Kurt Russell – Dob McCoy, honey-trade kingpin
- Rob Morgan – Rippy, King’s friend and attorney
- Tony Revolori – supporting role
- Cole Sprouse – Oat, local ally
- Owen Teague – Pirate, bee smuggler
- Andrew Patterson – writer-director, also cinematographer and music supervisor
Reception and Ratings
The Motion Picture Association assigned an R rating for language and grisly images. Reported runtimes differ: US News lists 130 minutes, while The Globe and Mail cites 131 minutes. Aggregates show a 95 % Rotten Tomatoes score and a 95/100 rating from Moviefone. US News gave the film two stars out of four, noting the genre-hopping approach “leaves a vinegary taste.”
Critical Assessment
LookingGlass earned praise for carrying the second half of the film. The musical score, featuring contributions from T-Bone Burnett, was highlighted as a strong point for character development.
Critics pointed to structural issues. US News argued that the mix of genres prevents a cohesive narrative and that the overlong runtime hampers engagement, also noting the Alabama locations detract from the Oklahoma setting. Moviefone identified the rapid shift of focus to Kateri midway as a confusing script element.
Official Statements & Responses
Patterson explained that his bee allergy required constant precaution on set, including keeping epinephrine on hand, and that an accidental hive opening resulted in a two-hour stinging episode that left his eyes swollen. McConaughey’s involvement was described as “almost supernaturally perfect,” with Patterson noting the role was written before the actor was approached but ultimately fit McConaughey’s persona.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact runtime (130 min vs. 131 min) and on the primary release date (August 14 opening versus August 21 wider release). Both dates appear in scheduled listings, indicating a staggered rollout. No source provides box-office projections or detailed demographic expectations, leaving the commercial outlook unquantified.
*The Rivals of Amziah King* will reach select Canadian theatres on August 14 and expand in the United States through the scheduled August 21 release, offering audiences a genre-blending Southern thriller anchored by a veteran lead and a breakout newcomer.
