It’s been nearly seven years since Matthew McConaughey’s last big screen movie role. And from the looks of the first trailer for the upcoming drama The Rivals of Amziah King, the actor/author is planning his return to film with a heart-stirring story about the indomitable American spirit.
The film — which world premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival in 2025 — co-stars Kurt Russell, Cole Sprouse, Angelina LookingGlass and Jake Horowitz and was written and directed by Andrew Patterson (The Vast of Night); it is due out on Aug. 14.
The official synopsis sets up a drama that unfolds in the “deep backwoods” of rural Oklahoma and “follows the charismatic and musically gifted” Amziah (McConaughey), the leader of a “bluegrass-playing band of misfits while overseeing the premier honey-making operation in town.” McConaughey’s King plays the titular honey farmer/bluegrass picker who has to fight against attacks on his family and business.
“When Amziah’s estranged foster daughter (LookingGlass) unexpectedly returns, Amziah leaps at the possibility to renew connection and create a family business,” the synopsis continues. “But the honey game is ruthless, and Amziah’s rivals threaten to destroy everything he has built.”
The two-minute trailer sets up a seeming rivalry between McConaughey and Russell, with scenes of the Oscar-winning star reconnecting with his daughter and preparing for a major honey harvest in between jam sessions. But when his prized honey crop get stolen, LookingGlass’ character vows to get revenge and bring the liquid gold back home.
McConaughey starred in the 2025 Apple TV+ movie The Lost Bus about the 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California, but has not been back in movie theaters since playing a fictional pot mogul in director Guy Ritchie’s 2019 drama The Gentlemen.
Watch the trailer for The Rivals of Amziah King below.
