by Alex Billington
May 11, 2026
Source: YouTube
“I know the weather, I know the bees. I know the point where anyone else would give up & I won’t.” Black Bear Pictures has unveiled the official trailer for The Rivals of Amziah King, an acclaimed indie thriller set in the backwoods of rural Oklahoma. The latest film from The Vast of Night director Andrew Patterson – it first premiered at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival last year to rave reviews. Set for an August 2026 release in theaters nationwide later this summer season. Matthew McConaughey plays the titular Amziah King –beekeeper, musician, and anchor of his community, who reunites with former foster daughter Kateri after years apart, finding off threats to his livelihood. King herds a bluegrass-playing band of misfits and oversees the premier honey-making operation in his town. When Amziah’s estranged foster daughter unexpectedly returns, he leaps at the possibility to renew connection and create a family business. But the honey game is ruthless, and his rivals threaten to destroy everything he has built. Starring McConaughey, with Angelina LookingGlass, Kurt Russell, Cole Sprouse, Owen Teague, Scott Shepherd, and Tony Revolori. This looks dang good! A revenge thriller and family business drama rolled into one. 🍯 Bring on the honey.
Here’s the first trailer (+ poster) for Andrew Patterson’s film The Rivals of Amziah King, via YouTube:
Deep within the backwoods of rural Oklahoma, charismatic and musically gifted Amziah King (starring Matthew McConaughey) herds a bluegrass-playing band of misfits while overseeing the premier honey-making operation in town. When Amziah’s estranged foster daughter Kateri (with newcomer Angelina LookingGlass) unexpectedly returns, Amziah leaps at the possibility to renew the connection and create a family business. But the honey game is ruthless, and Amziah’s rivals threaten to destroy everything he has built. The Rivals of Amziah King is directed by acclaimed American indie filmmaker Andrew Patterson, director of the sci-fi film The Vast of Night previously. The screenplay is written by James Montague and Andrew Patterson. Produced by Jeffrey Clifford, Will Greenfield, Michael Heimler, David Heyman, James Montague, Andrew Patterson, Teddy Schwarzman. This initially premiered at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival last year. Black Bear debuts Patterson’s The Rivals of Amziah King in select US theaters starting on August 14th, 2026 later this summer, expanding wide the next week after. Who wants to watch? Look any good?
