The Last Rodeo Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

The Last Rodeo Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman January 18, 2026

The Last Rodeo is a faith- and family-friendly film, though it doesn't necessarily tick off or fit into either or both of those boxes quite perfectly. It's a movie that is just a little bit rougher around the edges that the usual films that fall into those two categories, but it still maintains a firm footing in the same zip code. The film explores the lengths one will go to to save a loved one: reconnecting with a dangerous past in a fragile present state, self-sacrifice, all of the sort of overreaching themes and contexts that define so many of these types of movies. So, it's not really all that original, but it makes up for a less-than-compelling narrative with genuine performances and a tangible heartbeat that help elevate it beyond what otherwise feels like made for TV drama.

Joe Wainright (Neal McDonough) is a rodeo legend whose time in the sport has come and gone. He's long retired, both because of age and also because of the long scar running down his neck and back; the sport has taken its toll and he's moved on to a simpler life. His grandson Cody (Graham Harvey) has taken a liking to life on the bull, much to his mother Sally's (Sarah Jones) disapproval. She's much more content to see her son playing baseball. But when he fouls a pitch off his head, he winds up sick and eventually in the neurologist's office where a severe brain tumor is revealed. Surgery is the only option, and costly surgery at that; the family simply cannot afford the procedure. With no other alternative, Joe enters the rodeo "Legends Event" that pits retired riders against each other for a hefty cash prize, but even his retired peers are much younger and more physically capable than he. With the help of an old, estranged friend named Charlie Williams (Mykelti Williamson), Joe sets out on a journey not to recover his youth but save the youthful life of his very ill grandson and, just maybe, his own soul along the way.

Movies like The Last Rodeo are awfully predictable, so it, and others like it that strive to rise above the noise, must find a way to make their narratives compelling where compelling narratives don't necessarily exist. The Last Rodeo manages to do that, in large part thanks to an expert turn by Neal McDonough, who is becoming something of a familiar sight in Angel Studios films (he's starred in Homestead and The Shift). The work here is heartfelt and genuine. The physical pain is in evidence with every step and wince, but the emotional pain -- the emotional agony -- of fighting for what he loves and, more, seeking to use the opportunity of his "last rodeo" for personal redemption, too, adds a second layer to the character and story. McDonough finds a new gear with each new revelation and each step towards his final destiny, delivering an emotionally moving performance in a film that needed a compelling lead to elevate it above the fray.

The movie additionally benefits from some serious know-how behind the camera. It's directed by Jon Avnet, a Hollywood veteran with hits like Fried Green Tomatoes and 88 Minutes to his name. He directs with emphasis on his characters and, apart from the bull riding scenes, he smartly lets his cast do the heavy lifting to amp up the emotional draw and allow the story to develop as much through their faces as through their dialogue. The film isn't overzealous in its technical elements, but the competent assemblage and reliance on story and cast help to secure it as one of the better "sports underdog-family-faith" films of the past few years.

The Last Rodeo Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Angel Studios brings The Last Rodeo to Blu-ray with a 1080p picture that proves that it's not the studio's first rodeo. It's a looker through and through, delivering a crisp, satisfying image that hits all the high notes for a high end Blu-ray. The film was digitally shot, and a few really challenging shots can push a little noisy, but for the most part the image holds to a clean façade that offers engaging textures in practically every shot. Skin details are particularly robust for complexity and clarity, and such excellence extends to clothing and location details as well, from sterile hospital rooms to the rough-and-tumble bull riding arenas. Clarity is never wanting. Colors are robust and rich, healthy and full of pop and punch. The palette is as bold as it can be, delivering healthy primaries and satisfying neutrals. Black level depth is excellent and white balance is near perfect; white shirts and hats are notable standouts. Skin tones look natural as well. I was thoroughly impressed with this presentation from Angel Studios.

The Last Rodeo Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

It's still somewhat striking to me that, in 2025 (now 2026), a new and relatively "major" motion picture can be released to Blu-ray with lossy audio, but here we are. Lossy is rather par for there course for Angel Studios, and a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is what is included here. Fortunately, despite its lossy limitations, the track is more than serviceable within its necessary elements, offering good clarity and fine presentation of sonic essentials. This is not an action-heavy release by any stretch of the imagination, so a somewhat more low key approach works well enough for the film, though the fuller fidelity and superior dynamics a lossless track provides would have still been welcome. Regardless, the track offers good front spacing and modest surround support. Detail to basic effects and music alike satisfy, and while not surround heavy, there is a modest sense if immersion into key scenes, especially on the back end of the movie during the rodeo scenes. Dialogue is name of the game here, and I doubt most in the listening audience will notice any drop off in definition and detail here under the lossy constraints as they may be used to experiencing in lossless encodes. The spoken word is centered and perfectly clear and intelligible for the duration.

The Last Rodeo Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

A few extras are included. In addition, a DVD copy of the film is included with purchase.

• Roundtable Discussion (1080p, 41:51): Producers Kip Konwiser and Ruvé McDonough, Director Jon Avnet, and Actors Neal McDonough and Mykelti Williamson dive deep into the movie: production, story, performances, themes, and more.
• Deleted Scenes (1080p, 2:11 total runtime): A few scenes without any identifying titles or markers.
• Trailers: The Last Rodeo, Homestead, Sketch, The Lunatic Farmer, and The Wayfinders. An Angel Promo is also included.

The Last Rodeo Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There may be nothing here that audiences haven't seen before in some capacity. The Last Rodeo is hardly "special," but what it is is infinitely watchable and even very satisfying as something of a niche film of faith and heart, generally suitable for families, and with just the slightest bit of an edge to it. McDonough, who has a screenwriting credit for the film, too, bolsters the film by several degrees and alone carries it from "mediocre" to "well worth a watch." Angel's Blu-ray delivers wonderful 1080p video, serviceable 5.1 lossy audio, and some extras. Recommended!