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The Sun Never Sets
Film
FilmR2026
The Rivals of Amziah King
Directed by Andrew Patterson
Deep within the backwoods of rural Oklahoma, charismatic and musically gifted Amziah King herds a bluegrass-playing band of misfits while overseeing the premier honey-making operation in town. When Amziah’s estranged foster daughter unexpectedly returns, Amziah leaps at the possibility to renew connection and create a family business. But the honey game is ruthless, and Amziah’s rivals threaten to destroy everything… From TMDB
174 reactions from 4 sources (Bluesky, Mastodon, TMDB reviews, Lemmy) · newest Nov 5, 2026 · last updated Nov 5, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
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No Data
Sentiment labels for these sources are still being hand-checked; no score yet.
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluesky * | 84 | 4 | 79 |
| Mastodon * | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| TMDB reviews * | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Lemmy * | 0 | 0 | 1 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
What people are saying
A written summary appears once the title has a score.
At a glance
The Rivals of Amziah King is a 2026 crime drama thriller film, directed by Andrew Patterson, starring Matthew McConaughey, Kurt Russell and Angelina LookingGlass.
- 145 people have posted about this film on Bluesky, Mastodon, TMDB reviews, Lemmy
- posts span Feb 5, 2025 to Nov 5, 2026
Assembled from TMDB, Wikidata and Steam fields and our own counts, nothing written by a model. Method
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
174 public posts have mentioned The Rivals of Amziah King so far, but it needs 10 opinionated reactions from checked sources before it gets a score. Seen it? Post your take.
Critics, per Wikipedia
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 88% of 110 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.1/10. The website's consensus reads: "The Rivals of Amziah King is a sprawling, unpredictable, and genre-blurring epic, anchored by Matthew McConaughey's charm and Angelina LookingGlass's striking debut." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 74 out of 100, based on 22 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.
From the “Reception” section of Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Critic context only — not part of the audience score.
The Experts
83%
avg of 3 sources
The People
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audience score
Reactions
60 of 174 · most liked firstTHE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING is one of the very best films I've seen this year. From the director of VAST OF NIGHT comes a heartfelt, down home, Father/Daughter crime drama that is the type of film we're always saying we need more of. This film is a shot of cinema joy to the heart. See it immediately.
positive · AI labelView post →Matthew McConaughey talks about his new film ‘THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING’. The rural crime thriller follows a man who oversees the top honey-making operation in Oklahoma, but everything he’s built is soon threatened. Now playing in theaters nationwide.
neutral · AI labelView post →The Rivals of Amziah King: What if there was a heist movie, but it was about bees, and it also had amazing bluegrass music and a gigantic heart, but was also a revenge thriller and also a hangout comedy? You know, that sort of thing. (On VOD now)
positive · AI labelView post →If you can still find a theater showing THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING, see it in the theater. Trust me. If you don't, then when you finally watch the film in a year, I guarantee you'll finish it and say, "Why the fuck didn't anyone tell me to see that in a theater?"
positive · AI labelView post →The Rivals of Amziah King: Good??? (Kinda loses steam in the last half-hour, but my gosh, when it's good, it's not like any other movie I've ever seen?? Highly recommend if only to ask yourself, "What if Mark Twain had written more novels featuring bees?")
neutral · AI labelView post →You've never seen anything like The Rivals Of Amziah King, which is a real "local eccentric spinning yarns" of a movie www.avclub.com/the-rivals-o...
neutral · AI labelView post →Next month makes seven years since Dad's been gone, and honestly the thing that makes me saddest anymore is when I see a movie he would've loved and I can't make him go watch it and talk to me about it. Anyway. Go watch THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING.
positive · AI labelView post →And the crazy thing is, the next day, I saw THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING, which is currently my favorite film of the year, which makes such good use of McConaughey that it made me almost forget this show exists. Amazing.
positive · AI labelView post →The Rivals of Amziah King isn't just one of Matthew McConaughey's best performances. It's a ray of cinematic sunshine, part Hixploitation, part Frederick Wiseman. Do not miss it. www.austinchronicle.com/screens/film...
neutral · AI labelView post →I also reviewed THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING, which is GREAT and WEIRD and directed by Andrew Patterson, who directed the terrific THE VAST OF NIGHT www.spokesman.com/stories/2026...
neutral · AI labelView post →THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING hit me hard. I didn’t expect that movie, and I’m super happy I didn’t read much about it. If you haven’t seen it yet, you shouldn’t read anything either. But in a time where Intjought all the stories had been told and sold, here comes a beautiful, unique flower.
positive · AI labelView post →THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING 🐝: VAST OF NIGHT hive rise up as Andrew Patterson’s new film is fantastic. Matthew McConaughey is great, but this is the star-is-born moment for a magnificent Angelina LookingGlass. It's the best of the fest thus far 📽️ My #SXSW2025 review: theplaylist.net/the-rivals-o...
neutral · AI labelView post →If you liked recent UFO cult classic THE VAST OF NIGHT (2019), writer-director Andrew Patterson's THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING (2025) is an excellent follow-up, a rousing, off-kilter portrait of human communities as hives (& swarms, stinging), & a (honey) heist film of sorts.
positive · AI labelView post →just got to see The Rivals of Amziah King, the new film from Vast of Night director Andrew Patterson this guy is making movies unlike anything else out there; hilarious, exciting, moving, and a plot description really can’t capture what it’s up to
positive · AI labelView post →Standing ovation for the most crowdpleasing film I’ve seen at SXSW this year, the truly original THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING.
positive · AI labelView post →The Rivals of Amziah King is a very odd movie. #LetterboxdFriday #LastFourWatched
neutral · AI labelView post →Top 12 of the year so far (I don't do Letterboxd): The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act Castration Movie Anthology iii Coyote vs. Acme I Love Boosters Iron Lung Is God Is It Ends Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie The Rivals of Amziah King The Sheep Detectives Teenage Sex and Death Tuner
positive · AI labelView post →Been waiting forever for Andrew Patterson’s follow up to The Vast of Night. It’s finally here & it’s spectacular. The Rivals of Amziah King is a wholly unique film/experience. It’s electric, shocking, beautiful & poignant. Kind of never seen anything like it. Patterson is a King on the rise.
positive · AI labelView post →Christy @christylemire.bsky.social and Alonso @aduralde.bsky.social urge you to check out The Rivals of Amziah King while it’s still in theaters. #filmsky 📽
neutral · AI labelView post →Today at The Reveal: More reviews. You can read me on THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING (a film that had me then kind of lost me) and @scotttobias.bsky.social on IT ENDS:
neutral · AI labelView post →THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING is why I go to the movies.
positive · AI labelView post →Unveiling the Closing Night Film: On Swift Horses plus the last slate of projects for the 2025 #SXSW Film & TV Festival, including The Rivals of Amziah King, I'm Carl Lewis!, 40 Acres, and more. See the full lineup: ow.ly/bkOw50UUnwz
neutral · AI labelView post →Reasonably confident you have never seen anything like Andrew Patterson's Southern Gothic comedy thriller heist musical revenge flick THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING. Matthew McConaughey has never been better, sweatier, or stickier. www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/film...
neutral · AI labelView post →THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING will undoubtedly be my favorite film of #SXSW. It’s also way in the lead for best film of 2025 period. It transcends genre & has SO much to both celebrate & convict about America. Adore it. Here’s my spoiler free rave @cinapse.bsky.social
positive · AI labelView post →THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING (2025) Streaming: September 15, 2026 PVOD (Apple, Amazon, Fandango, etc.) #TheRivalsOfAmziahKing whentostream.com/matthew-mcco...
neutral · AI labelView post →Wild that The Rivals of Amziah King is getting unanimously great reviews while the director's previous film, The Vast of Night, is entirely unable to view in States: Its Amazon Prime license lapsed and it never had a physical release. Movies aren't supposed to disappear like this.
neutral · AI labelView post →Can't quite put words to how much I adored The Rivals of Amziah King. My favorite movie in many years. (Thank you @mattzollerseitz.bsky.social for the review that sent us to the theater!)
positive · AI labelView post →Talked w/ @liamgbillingham.bsky.social about Jane Schoenbrun’s TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA & Andrew Patterson’s THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING that are two of the best movies of the week and also the year. They're both special, one-of-a-kind films📽️ seattlemoviesdaily.beehiiv.com/podcast/s/se...
neutral · AI labelView post →THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING is as perfect as movies get. Andrew Patterson’s follow up is equal parts soaring musical, ruthless revenge drama, and touching dad/daughter reunion. This is the kind of film that sets your heart on fire. McConaughey and a radiant Angelina LookingGlass are remarkable. #SXSW
positive · AI labelView post →1. THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING: This is the only interview I did without seeing the film first. Most of our chat focused on the power of community and the beauty of films that feel/are handmade so, needless to say, I ended our interview more psyched to catch the final film than ever.
neutral · AI labelView post →Over at the Spliced Personality Substack this week I reviewed THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING, my favorite movie of the year so far.
positive · AI labelView post →THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING is the kind of picture film lovers should be swarming to. The soundtrack is unquestionably one of the best of the year, and the performances, especially from newcomer Angelina LookingGlass, will make you wonder if you're watching a documentary or a movie. Incredible cast.
positive · AI labelView post →THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING is the best bee movie since - ew! Not BEE MOVIE. No! Yikes. No, no, no. It's the best bee movie since ULEE'S GOLD. Now *that's* saying something.
positive · AI labelView post →#NowWatching 📽️ - The Rivals of Amziah King (2026) Dir. Andrew Patterson
neutral · AI labelView post →Escaped the heat yesterday with The Rivals of Amziah King — our favorite film of the year. McConaughey’s beekeeper/musician charisma, a found family of oddballs, joyous music that hums like bees at work. A tonal swerve in act two, but it landed for us. The film we didn’t know we needed. 🐝
positive · AI labelView post →And my last full-length review (a couple round-ups coming your way): THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING, a folksy slice of Americana that turns into an unexpected crime thriller. Matthew McConaughey, movie star, we missed you. But Angelina LookingGlass is the real breakout. www.inverse.com/entertainmen...
neutral · AI labelView post →The Rivals of Amziah King This is a movie that makes me value the cadence and hyperbole of Southern storytelling and how a small event grows into a great tall tale. This is absolutely phenomenal.
positive · AI labelView post →Without tipping off too much, #TheRivalsOfAmziahKing is a flooring film that's part loving musical, part delicate dramedy, part scrappy underdog tale, & all sharply resonant in a way that sneaks up on you while remaining entertaining as all hell to watch 📽️ theplaylist.net/the-rivals-o...
neutral · AI labelView post →THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING: An unqualified triumph. A film that's scope and depth astounds as it unfolds. Andrew Patterson proving to be a generational cinematic voice. Holy cow. #SXSW2025
positive · AI labelView post →THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING is tremendous. A hard to categorize film with expressive camera work and great music. McConaughey is at his warmest and funniest, and Angelina LookingGlass is an incredible find.
positive · AI labelView post →Saw the Rivals of Amziah King based on the Globe’s review. Wonderfully quirky film.
positive · AI labelView post →The Rivals of Amziah King is an amazing movie. Not to be missed. Trust me on this. #AmziahKing
positive · AI labelView post →For The Seattle Times, talked w/ Seattle art director and production designer John Lavin about his work on the stellar film THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING, how they built the opening drive-in, protecting Matthew McConaughey from bees during a key scene, + much more 📽️ www.seattletimes.com/entertainmen...
neutral · AI labelView post →Done with screeners so… My Ten Best of SXSW: The Baltimorons Death of a Unicorn Drop Fantasy Life Ghost Boy Hallow Road It Ends Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie Redux Redux The Rivals of Amziah King
neutral · AI labelView post →Gee, I can't wait to annoy everyone I know about THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING being a miracle of a movie when I can barely describe it and it's been dumped in 10 cinemas total.
positive · AI labelView post →I reviewed THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING. Matthew McConaughey is the star, but Angelina LookingGlass will be the one you'll be talking about afterward.
neutral · AI labelView post →Come for us discussing the state of the "meta movie" in 2026 and where TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH IN CAMP MIASMA fits in, stay for me doing everything I can to convince you to also g see THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING. Was a really great chat, give it a listen!📽️ seattlemoviesdaily.beehiiv.com/podcast/s/se...
neutral · AI labelView post →THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING is finally, finally in wide release starting TOMORROW NIGHT! Below's my SXSW 2025 review where I started shouting from the rooftops about how so damn special this film truly is. See it in the biggest, loudest theater you can.
neutral · AI labelView post →Birthday options this year will be unnecessary Insidious sequel, Jason Statham film at sea, Anna Faris girls trip film, new movie from the director of The Lure, Cliffhanger remake, Coyote vs. Acme, a Brit romcom, The Rivals of Amziah King, and new Ridley Scott A better year!
neutral · AI labelView post →Is it worth it to explore all variety of programming at any film festival? Hell yes. Am I in line to see THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING a second time? Also hell yes. #SXSW
positive · AI labelView post →🎥 MORE HUGE SXSW FILM DROPS 🎥 - Jacob Elordi’s ‘On Swift Horses’ closing the fest - Matthew McConaughey’s ‘The Rivals Of Amziah King’ premiering - Jillian Bell’s ‘Summer Of 69’ premiering - Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick's ‘Another Simple Favor’ premiering Full list soon
neutral · AI labelView post →On the one hand I know "extra option" is annoying, but on the other hand The Rivals of Amziah King is maybe the best movie I've seen this year and you should rush out to see it if it's playing near you But of your options, Oak Street is more straightforward fun, Camp Miasma is compellingly weird
positive · AI labelView post →THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING is as good as you've heard. first half probably the best hour of any new movie I've seen in 2026. Andrew Patterson's the real deal.
positive · AI labelView post →I loved THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING, a new Matthew McConaughey movie from the director of THE VAST OF NIGHT (which I also loved). If you live near a theater showing it, see it this weekend!! I myself am going again tomorrow. decider.com/2026/08/14/t...
positive · AI labelView post →#MatthewMcConaughey brings the charm in #TheRivalsofAmziahKing, an offbeat western that takes a turn into crime caper territory. Strong performances, great music and plenty of personality. Our full #review below... #film #cinema #movies
neutral · AI labelView post →I haven’t seen a life affirming, exuberant film like THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING in a long time. Matthew McConaughey and newcomer Angelina LookingGlass lead this story about family, beekeeping, honor and legacy.
positive · AI labelView post →This person needs to watch my current favourite new film: The Rivals of Amziah King. There's a comedy-horror centrifuge scene at the start.
positive · AI labelView post →The Rivals of Amziah King is a firehose of filmmaking. I am overwhelmed by it. It had some of the most rhapsodic moments of any movie I’ve seen in recent memory (especially that first half hour). It’s about to drop out of most theaters at this point, but you have to, HAVE to find a way to see it.
positive · AI labelView post →I highly recommend hitting up THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING at a theatre while you still can. It basically splits right in half narratively and while I have some thoughts to offer about the second half, it remains a very compelling film and I'd love to have more people to talk to about it! 🐝🐝🐝
neutral · AI labelView post →Spider-Man: Brand New Day has crossed $2 BILLION worldwide. Could $3 billion be next? FlickRadio breaks down the box office and reviews The Rivals of Amziah King, It Ends, Tony, Insidious: Out of the Further & Mutiny. www.podbean.com/eas/pb-jjjjc... #FlickRadio #SpiderMan #MoviePodcast #BoxOffice
neutral · AI labelView post →
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