The Rivals of Amziah King, directed by Andrew Patterson, marks Matthew McConaughey's return to live-action film after a five-year break from acting, and opens in select cinemas this Friday. The Oscar winner stars as a beekeeper, born-again Christian and bluegrass musician, in what is Patterson's first feature since his acclaimed 2019 debut The Vast of Night, making it a notable comeback for both star and director after years of development and delay.

The film was shot in 2023, premiered at South by Southwest in spring 2025, and is only now reaching cinemas via its production company's new distribution arm, Black Bear — a gap Patterson attributes partly to the company's decision to build out a full theatrical distribution operation. It also stars breakout actress Angelina LookingGlass as Kateri, Amziah's former foster daughter, who is drawn back into his life during a crisis. Set against the backdrop of rural Oklahoma's honey trade, the story is described as full of twists, with Patterson noting the pandemic further slowed the project's development before McConaughey eventually signed on.