The unconventional western-musical drama delivers laughs, tears, and cheers—SXSW audience embraces McConaughey’s transformative role.
Austin, TX, March 11: In a rare moment at SXSW 2025, Matthew McConaughey’s latest film, The Rivals of Amziah King, received a standing ovation from the audience at the Paramount Theatre in Austin on Monday night.
The western-musical-drama, directed by Andrew Patterson, took festival-goers by surprise with its heartwarming narrative, stunning performances, and a fresh cinematic approach. On a night when most major studio releases had already premiered, The Rivals of Amziah King emerged as an unexpected festival highlight.
A Must-Buy for Studios and Streamers?
Industry insiders believe this SXSW breakout could follow in the footsteps of Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022), another A24-backed SXSW premiere that went on to win Best Picture at the Oscars. With buyers still deliberating over acquisitions, The Rivals of Amziah King is a strong contender for major distribution deals.
“No need to wait on this one, studios or streamers,” remarked one festival-goer. “This played in the heartland to rolling laughs, tears, and cheers.”
McConaughey and a New Breakout Star
McConaughey, a Texas native, returned to SXSW for the third time, following his 1996 premiere of Lone Star and 2019’s Beach Bum. The Academy Award-winning actor delivers another groundbreaking performance, but it is newcomer Angelina LookingGlass who steals the spotlight as his fierce foster daughter.
Her standout performance in the film, where she takes control of her father’s honey-making empire with a vengeance, has critics and audiences buzzing about a potential breakout star.
Plot Summary: A Tale of Family, Music, and Survival
Set deep in rural Oklahoma, The Rivals of Amziah King follows Amziah King, a charismatic, musically gifted beekeeper, who oversees the town’s premier honey-making operation while leading a bluegrass-playing band of misfits.
When his estranged foster daughter unexpectedly returns, Amziah sees an opportunity to rebuild their fractured relationship and transform their business into a family empire. However, the honey trade is more ruthless than it seems, and Amziah soon finds himself entangled in a dangerous rivalry that threatens everything he has built.
A Stellar Cast and Production Team
Alongside McConaughey, the film boasts an all-star ensemble, including:
- Kurt Russell
- Jake Horowitz
- Scott Shepherd
- Rob Morgan
- Tony Revolori
- Owen Teague
- Bruce Davis
- Cole Sprouse
Produced by David Heyman, Teddy Schwarzman, Jeffrey Clifford, Michael Heimler, James Montague, and Will Greenfield, the film is already generating significant buzz for its unique blend of drama, music, and action.
With its authentic storytelling, heartfelt performances, and a crowd-pleasing narrative, The Rivals of Amziah King is set to become a major awards-season contender if the right studio picks it up.
Tags: Matthew McConaughey, SXSW 2025, The Rivals of Amziah King, Western Drama, Angelina LookingGlass, Andrew Patterson, Hollywood, Movie Premiere, Festival Buzz
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