Directed by Joel Souza, The Last Rodeo tells the story of Joe Wainwright (Neal McDonough), a former rodeo champion who is now retired. Years ago, Joe lost his wife to cancer, lashed out at God in anger, and recklessly rode a bull while drunk, resulting in his near paralysis. Since then, his daughter Sally (Sarah Jones) nursed him back to health. Today, Joe has recovered somewhat and trains young bull riders while also enjoying spending time with his grandson, Cody (Graham Harvey), a Little League baseball player.
Things take a turn when Cody suffers a concussion during a game, and a follow-up medical exam reveals a severe brain tumor. Sally and Joe are devastated—not just by the diagnosis, but also by the realization that the surgery required to save Cody’s life will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. With insurance covering only 40% of the cost, Sally is out of options. In a bid to save his grandson, Joe considers the impossible: competing again in a high-stakes “legends” bull-riding tournament to win the prize money.
With help from his old friend Charlie (Michael T. Williamson), Joe begins training for the event, all while wrestling with his damaged relationship with his daughter and his fractured faith. The film explores whether Joe can reconcile with his past, regain his strength, and survive the grueling return to bull riding, all for a chance to save Cody’s life.
“…Joe considers the impossible: competing again in a high-stakes ‘legends’ bull-riding tournament…”
I admire faith-based movies and their simple message of giving God our burdens, and He will give us peace. As wonderful as that message is, it sometimes results in simplistic storylines. Movies like The Last Rodeo tend to follow this predictable formula. While the emotional beats of redemption and forgiveness are sincere, there’s a certain lack of tension or surprise in how the story unfolds. The narrative is heavy on heartfelt moments, but light on the kind of stakes or grit that could elevate it to the dark, gritty films like Die Hard or Rambo.
That said, what makes the film worth a watch is its cast. McDonough gives a grounded and moving performance, while Michael T. Williamson brings warmth and charisma to his supporting role. Despite one notably weak performance from a supporting actor (a bull rider), the cast overall is strong. The bull-riding scenes are solid, and the themes of family, sacrifice, and redemption are heartfelt, if not especially nuanced. Simply put, a solid story and a solid cast make a solid movie.
Ultimately, The Last Rodeo is a perfectly fine film in the faith-based genre. It stands out with a higher caliber of acting and a strong emotional, if not spiritual, core, even if the story doesn’t break new ground. For those who appreciate uplifting stories with spiritual undertones, it delivers exactly what’s expected—and sometimes, God’s blessing is enough.
"…God’s blessing is enough."
