Matthew McConaughey’s latest film, The Rivals of Amziah King, received a standing ovation during its world premiere at the Paramount Theatre in Austin. The western-musical-drama, directed by Andrew Patterson, played to an engaged audience with its mix of humor, emotion, and music, standing out among the SXSW screenings.
The film follows Amziah King, a musically gifted beekeeper in rural Oklahoma who leads a bluegrass band of misfits while overseeing the town’s most successful honey-making operation. When his estranged foster daughter returns, he sees an opportunity to rebuild their relationship and turn their business into a family enterprise. However, his ambitions are threatened by rivals determined to undermine everything he has built.
McConaughey introduced the film at the premiere, reflecting on what drew him to the project. “It’s been six years since I did a film or was onscreen. Why did I come to this film? Not often does something cross my desk where I think, ‘Oh, that’s an original language! I’ve never heard that before, but I know those people. There’s humor, innocence, and a whole lot of heart.’”
Festival attendees responded strongly to the film’s combination of genres. Industry insiders see it as a likely candidate for major distribution deals, with some drawing comparisons to Everything Everywhere All at Once, which premiered at SXSW before winning Best Picture at the Oscars.
McConaughey’s performance has been widely praised, but much of the attention has centered on newcomer Angelina LookingGlass, who plays his foster daughter. Her role as a determined young woman taking over the honey business has led to discussion about a potential breakout moment.
The film features a supporting cast that includes Kurt Russell, Jake Horowitz, Scott Shepherd, Rob Morgan, Tony Revolori, Owen Teague, Bruce Davis, and Cole Sprouse. Producers David Heyman, Teddy Schwarzman, Jeffrey Clifford, Michael Heimler, James Montague, and Will Greenfield are behind the project.
The film’s distinctive storytelling, music-infused narrative, and performances have led to significant industry interest as studios and streaming platforms weigh acquisition decisions.
