The Last Rodeo

is a deeply moving drama with some incredible star power that aims to deliver an important message. This film’s particular focus is on faith, unity, love, and family, with a narrative that sees people come together in times of need. Despite the overt messaging, the story is very moving and well-executed, setting it apart from many other productions.
Joe Wainwright’s (Neal McDonough) days as the world’s foremost bull rider are long past. In his retirement, he finds purpose in being a father figure to his grandson. However, when an unthinkable tragedy strikes the family, Joe is forced to return to his roots to make ends meet. The journey that follows is long, painful, and sees Joe encounter many ghosts from his former life. Ultimately, he finds a way to keep moving forward and achieve the seemingly impossible.
Neal McDonough Delivers A Powerhouse Performance In The Last Rodeo

Custom image by Cesar Garcia

Neal McDonough has always been an incredible and versatile talent who has elevated the shows and films he’s been in, and it’s great to see the actor continue to do outstanding work at this stage of his career. While the scale of the movie is pared down compared to some of McDonough’s other credits, he is no less committed to giving his all. While some performances leave a lot to be desired, all the main parts are occupied by strong actors.

In addition to McDonough, Sarah Jones, who plays Joe’s daughter, Sally, and Graham Harvey, who plays her son Cody, all do an incredible job creating the emotional core of the film.

And that is vital for a film like this that seeks to follow such emotional and tense subjects like broken families, illness, and reconciliation. Balancing these challenging themes with a plot about bull riding could spell a recipe for disaster, but the story works and delivers an emotional punch. In addition to McDonough, Sarah Jones, who plays Joe’s daughter Sally, and Graham Harvey, who plays her son Cody, all do an incredible job creating the emotional core of the film.
With the lineup in place, the strength of the script and story becomes more apparent, and while there are stretches of the film that feel slow, the majority of the runtime moves at a good pace. There are some clunky line deliveries from the supporting actors, but the emotion and the intensity come through loud and clear. In all honesty, the quality is surprisingly strong.
The Last Rodeo Has Strong Messaging, But Doesn’t Feel Preachy

Yes, The Last Rodeo is a movie with a subtext of faith being important to Joe’s journey, but for much of the film, that aspect takes a backseat. Overall, Joe is a man in pain. He has struggled for years with his wife’s death and the former glory days that fade to distant memories. However, when the opportunity to get back on the literal bull and reclaim his story presents itself, Joe leaps at the chance.

The Last Rodeo humbly presents a story that follows people in dire need working to find a way through challenges.

The action is thrilling and tense, the sadness is deep and moving, and the road to becoming a better man is paved with broken relationships that Joe has to face head-on. With so much to unpack, the movie is not solely rooted in faith, but it also shows how the aspect of faith ties in to the many facets of Joe’s life, whether he recognizes it at first or not. Ultimately, The Last Rodeo is more focused on the idea of family and making amends than it is an exploration of Joe’s Christianity.
Neal McDonough proves again why he deserves to be a celebrated name in Hollywood. The Last Rodeo humbly presents a story that follows people in dire need working to find a way through challenges. When all is said and done, the movie manages to juggle several moving parts with incredible graceful balance. The Last Rodeo is an outstanding indie film that is worthy of a wider release and a larger audience than it’s likely to attract.
The Last Rodeo is available to see in select theaters now.

The Last Rodeo

8/10

Release Date

May 23, 2025

Runtime

118 Minutes

Director

Jon Avnet

Producers

Darren Moorman, Kip Konwiser, Stephen Preston, Ruve McDonough

Pros & Cons

Neal McDonough and the main cast are outstanding.
The story balances several moving parts well.

Some performances leave a lot to be desired.
Writing and pacing are occasionally clunky.