SXSW 2025 Reel Review: The Rivals of Amziah King Delivers In Revenge, Rhythm, and Rural Roots
Yes. Matthew McConaughey’s return to the big screen after five years was highly worth the wait. McConaughey will arguably always be a household name, but when a star returns, there’s always a slight eyebrow raise: Are you ready? Is this the role for you? Are you even as great as everyone thinks? Again—yes, yes, and yes.
Admittedly, I have never seen a crowd react to a film the way the crowd at South by Southwest did for The Rivals of Amziah King. The movie is like your first experience with a weighted blanket—from the excitement to try it, to the immediate confusion you feel at first contact, and if you’re lucky, an unexpected satisfaction. And it comes as no surprise that director Andrew Patterson is behind this project, as he has proven himself to be not only resourceful but inventive in his storytelling.
The film, stuffed with every inch of enjoyable surface covered, is a crowd-pleaser and succeeds in its attempt to build a world that—though separate and excluded from ours—connects deeply with its audience. Set in Oklahoma, south of the Mississippi River, The Rivals of Amziah King takes us through a reunion for Kateri, played by Angelina LookingGlass, and McConaughey’s Amziah. It’s beautifully filmed, allowing for a true saturation in rural community. However, all the peace and tranquility used in the cinematography and music doesn’t take away from the drama.
This is a revenge story. And as much as it focuses on community, it equally satisfies the human need for conflict—while still keeping the beekeeping community front and center. Patterson flexes his storytelling powers, taking risks that fall outside the parameters of the average movie, but succeeds in making those risks serve the audience. The music—actually played by Amziah and his crew (Rob Morgan, Owen Teague, and Scott Shepherd)—shows this perfectly. Half of this film is an adult Camp Rock, where breaking into spontaneous music delivers more than it strips away from the content.
McConaughey gives the performance of his life, as if he slipped right into Amziah’s skin (the Texas accent doesn’t hurt either). His character doesn’t miss a beat—he’s quick-witted, charming, infectious. He commands the screen with his energy. There’s an immediate gravitational pull to his presence that sticks, even when he’s not in the film—which he isn’t in the second half. But throughout, every action is in honor of him, and his presence continues to be felt.
And while this movie isn’t actually a musical, it might as well be. McConaughey might be given more singing roles after this. He’s an actor who understands his talent and the value of character development. It’s show-stopping. And while the movie does suffer from focusing on too many elements, its retention is saved by its talent.
One major key player is Angelina LookingGlass, who holds her own against a vet like McConaughey. Her chemistry with him is heartwarming, but when it’s her turn to drive the narrative, she doesn’t falter. While she may feel unfamiliar to viewers, that strengthens the story—she’s intriguing and gives an impressive performance.
Patterson is proof that true artistry lives in how you use your resources and how far you’re willing to push boundaries. He tells a story about the strength of community and carries that theme consistently. No spoilers, but the potluck scene was a defining movie moment—and if your heart doesn’t melt watching McConaughey and LookingGlass as Kateri and Amziah, you are soulless.
The Rivals of Amziah King is for everyone. It doesn’t fit in any box except the “must-watch-before-I-die” one. It’s an emotional story, filled with heart and fueled by the relationships within it. The film does not have a theatrical release date yet.
