Movie Review: ‘The Last Rodeo’ – A Gritty Tale of Family, Faith, and Fighting Spirit

Everybody likes that idea of a ‘one last ride’ story. One that captures the idea of risking it all for one last time, especially for a necessary cause. Director Jon Avnet‘s latest 118-minute-long drama ‘The Last Rodeo‘ is a very good example of this.

At the centre of the story is Joe (played by Neal McDonough). A once-renowned bull rider now living a quiet, retired life, he gets forced back into the ring when a family health crisis repons old wounds and unearths painful memories. His grandson is diagnosed with a brain tumour similar to the one that killed his wife. He and his daughter’s insurance can only go so far in taking care of the treatments and surgeries. Faced with limited options and with time running out, Joe decides he needs to saddle up one last time. Not for fame or glory, but for an opportunity to win the big prize money that can give his grandson a chance at beating cancer.

Neal McDonough in The Last Rodeo (2025)

Right from the opening scenes, the plot feels emotionally charged, and you are drawn into the narrative. Neal McDonough handles the lead role with a performance that anchors the film. He carries the weight of a man who has experienced a great deal of loss. Joe lost not just his wife, but also self-sabotaged and spiralled out of a successful career. But you can tell he is still a man with enough fight left in him, especially when it comes to the family that he has left. In many ways, Neal McDonough brings a load of experience to this role.

Sarah Jones plays the role of Sally, Joe’s daughter, and the emotional tug-of-war she experiences feels authentic. She’s caught in a tough space where she has to care for a sick child while also having to worry about her ageing father, who wants to risk his life in a dangerous entertaining sport just for money. Sally is caught in between all this, and Sarah Jones depicts it all well enough.

The film also features Mykelti Williamson and Christopher McDonald in supporting roles that are all important to the story being told. Mykelti Williamson particularly plays Joe’s long-time friend, Charlie Williams. His scenes with McDonough offer some of the film’s most genuine chemistry as we see the unreserved support and camaraderie that you expect from friends.

The narrative subtly highlights the uncomfortable truth about healthcare and how it can be challenging even for families that seem to be doing well. The thought of a man well in his 50s willing to risk his life to raise money to pay for good healthcare for his grandson is relatable for many. It is a reality that several people have to live with, sadly, through no direct fault of theirs. And even though the film doesn’t lean heavily into criticising and suggesting possible healthcare reforms, the intent to highlight the problem can’t go unnoticed.

It is understandable that the film deliberately chooses to gloss over this, but it would have also been a great deal if it had also deliberate at delving deeper into the complexities of the matter.

Mykelti Williamson and Neal McDonough in The Last Rodeo (2025)

Jon Avnet chooses to make this film equal parts of an emotional roller coaster as well as a sports film. He doesn’t miss any opportunities to tap into familiar tropes of sports-themed films. There is tension in the build-up as Joe prepares to go competitive for the last time. And there is also the competition he has to face from younger athletes. Jon Avnet also takes advantage of all the emotional payoffs he can get, but I can’t help but feel like he still missed out on chances to elevate the story.

Themes of faith and belief in God are subtly woven through the narrative, as expected from an Angel Studios release, but thankfully, it doesn’t overpower the story. It’s present in the way the characters hold onto hope and in the resilience they display, not necessarily through overt religious messaging. And I believe this makes the film more appealing to a wider audience that would include non-believers.

Sarah Jones and Neal McDonough in The Last Rodeo (2025)

Visually, the film is well-shot. The rodeo scenes are tense and energetic, and the quieter moments of grief-laced silences and emotional conversations are framed with care. Personally, I didn’t know 8 seconds was that long, especially whilst holding on for your dear life to a bull that is going berserk. The intention was to highlight the risk Joe is taking to make us feel the gravity of his situation.

That said, the film doesn’t escape predictability. You can see most of the story beats coming from a mile away. And while predictability isn’t always a flaw, in a story with such rich thematic potential, it can feel like a missed opportunity.

I will score this film 6.5/10. ‘The Last Rodeo’ is a sincere and emotionally resonant film that may not break new cinematic ground, but it rides with heart. It reminds us that family can be both a burden and a blessing. It also reminds us of the power of sacrifice and that we all can and are capable of doing good for others. For all its imperfections, it’s a story worth watching.