Matthew McConaughey Has A Bee In His Bonnet In The Rivals Of Amziah King Trailer

Matthew McConaughey is on the trail of a stolen bee in the offbeat thriller, The Rivals Of Amziah King.

You might not think beekeeping is a suitable basis for a thriller and, on balance, you’d be right. However, the occasional bold visionary has decided that the whole process of honey production is great grist for the ol’ cinematic mill. There was David Ayer’s The Beekeeper a couple of years ago, of course, which saw Jason Statham “protect the hive” by killing a staggering number of people. Year’s before that, 1997 gave us the late Peter Fonda in Victor Nuñez’s Ulee’s Gold. Now to that rather short list we can add this oddity, which sees Matthew McConaughey desperately trying to track down a stolen queen bee. As one does.

The Rivals Of Amziah King Trailer

What’s the plot?

As the official synopsis tells us:

Set within the deep backwoods of rural Oklahoma, the film follows the charismatic and musically gifted Amaziah King (McConaughey) who herds a bluegrass-playing band of misfits while overseeing the premier honey-making operation in town. When Amaziah’s estranged foster daughter unexpectedly returns, he leaps at the possibility to renew connection and creating a family business. But the honey game is ruthless, and Amaziah’s rivals threaten to destroy everything he has built.

Who’s in it?

• Matthew McConaughey as Amziah King,
• Angelina LookingGlass as Kateri.
• Cole Sprouse as Oat.
• Catherine Dyer as Mrs. McCurdy.
• Jason Davis as Winton.
• Sandra Ellis Lafferty as Brenda.
• Harris Stone as Ross Crown.
• Bruce Davis as Sunderland.
• Sharon Blackwood as Juanita.
• Chip Carriere as Wenyon Amos Stone.

Plus we’re getting a pretty stellar supporting cast, with Kurt Russell, Scott Shepherd, Rob Morgan, Tony Revolori, Owen Teague, and Jake Horowitz all showing up in various roles.

When’s it out?

The Rivals Of Amziah King hits Australian cinemas on August 20.

What’s the vibe?

I’m not sure if this was “break out indie hit” written all over it, but they’re definitely marketing it as such. I always enjoy McConaughey when he’s in downhome weirdo mode, and that definitely seems to be the angle being played here. Let’s just hope this is more like Mud and less like The Free State of Jones.