The rivals don’t stand a chance when the friends of Amziah convene. Beekeeping and Honey harvesting is represented as a brutal,intense competitive market. To be independent, one must be full of vigor and vitality. One must be full of life and spirit and also kindness to thwart away the rivals-which Amziah is. Played so convincingly by Matthew McConaughey one wonders if this is actually one of his side hustles. It’s the acting and characters that command our attention most in this film. A film like all others is about transitions, but of course the harshness of transitions and you either become wither away or you stand stubborn and take back which is yours.  

The Bees are the giant metaphor in this-presenting much like a people’s community bees community runs much the same.  Each has a job they not only are made to do but strive to do. Amziah King owns his company but relies on others to assist. Amziah also loves to play music and relies on others to play with him to get it made. The film emphasizes that nothing is made alone, nothing is produced isolated by people, just like the bees. 

The film had a world premier at SXSW last year and finally now in 2026 is getting distribution. Directed by Andrew Patterson (The Vast of Night ) the film repeatedly changes trajectory and keeps a rapid pace. It breathes and slows when it needs to. The editing is jumpy and I’d wished for a possible recut would make it flourish more. Kurt Russell coming in on the third act brings the weight of the film. WIth just the few minutes he has in this he leaves a behemoth impression on the story and audiences. It’s just a great performance.  

Music is the driving force in this, not the bees.  WIth it’s consistent music play and overlay music score it at times feels like a concert and a more passion of music then of working as a beekeeper second. Although refreshingly original the film emits a sentiment of being adapted from a book and that there’s many subplots diverted that would make the story more compelling if investigated. Namely more about his neighbors and bandmates. 

Patterson himself has to fight many obstacles to get this film made, conflicts with producers and differences of opinions with other actors that would eventually drop out- much like the stubborn fight inside the protagonists of the film. 

The film thinks it is about determination, but it is more about harmony. The harmony inside yourself and the harmony to work with others. We all have our talents even if some are not law-abiding. It is very much an actor and actress film. The performances are the core of what works in it, accept one. Mainly the struggle is with the development of Kateri. A determined person no doubt but never really flushed or believable. Looks and gazes and standing on your mark can only do so much. Overall the majority of acting in this is just outstanding, but the editing and at times, rudderless story telling wound it. The passion and determination of life and filmmaking are all there, but the overall harmony is sporadic.  7.5/10