The Last Rodeo Filming Locations Explored: Where Was The Neal Mcdonough Film Shot? By Tvacute.com

 THE LAST RODEO is a 2025 American drama film written and directed by Jon Avnet. The film stars Neal McDonough—who also co-wrote and produced the project—alongside Mykelti Williamson, Christopher McDonald, Sarah Jones, and rising talent Daylon Moeller. The film comes from Angel Studios, known for faith-based storytelling that seeks to uplift and inspire audiences. After the worldwide success of Sound of Freedom, Angel Studios is back with another powerful story, this time about toughness, redemption, and the lasting power of family.

THE LAST RODEO MOVIE STORY

Neal McDonough plays Joe Wainwright, a retired rodeo champion who thought his days of riding bulls were over. His story is at the heart of THE LAST RODEO. Joe’s life is calmer now. He spends time with his daughter Sally Wainwright (Sarah Jones), whom he hasn’t seen in a while, and his young grandson Cody (Daylon Moeller). But everything changes when Cody has a medical emergency and is told he has a disease that could kill him. His family is heartbroken to learn that their insurance will only pay for 40% of the $150,000 surgery that could save his life.

Joe doesn’t have many choices, so he takes a risk and enters the Legends Championship in Tulsa. It’s a tough bull-riding competition with a $750,000 grand prize. Joe goes back to rodeo with the help of his loyal friend and former bullfighter Charlie Williams (Mykelti Williamson), even though he is old and hasn’t been in the ring in years. Along the way, Joe faces up to painful memories, gets back in touch with his family, and rediscovers a strong spiritual faith that keeps him going. Rose Wainwright, his wife played by Neal’s real-life wife Ruvé McDonough, is the person who makes him feel strong.

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WHERE WAS THE LAST RODEO FILMED?

Filming for THE LAST RODEO took place primarily in Oklahoma, with production running from March to April 2024. The filmmakers utilized a mix of urban landmarks and rural backdrops to bring the world of professional bull riding to life. Key filming locations include Tulsa, Owasso, Collinsville, Skiatook, Okmulgee, and Thackerville.

In an interview with the Tulsa World that came out on May 23, 2025, producer Kip Konwiser talked about why Tulsa and nearby towns were chosen:

“We have a studio director and studio-level producer and production on an independent movie budget… Tulsa really won out over the other states that we were looking at.”

Let’s take a closer look at each location used in filming The Last Rodeo.

1) TULSA, OKLAHOMA

Tulsa was the main location for filming THE LAST RODEO. It had a lot of different places to shoot, from arena scenes to local diners. Some famous places to film in Tulsa are:

Expo Square Pavilion: The bull-riding scenes in the movie took place in this large, multi-use arena. As the site of the Legends Championship, it makes Joe’s big return to the ring seem more real.

The Mabee Center, which is on the campus of Oral Roberts University, was used for scenes with a crowd and outside.

Tim’s Diner: The diner had a vintage Americana feel and was the setting for a heart-to-heart between Joe and Charlie.

Tulsa has become more popular as a place to film thanks to movies like Tulsa King, The Girl Next Door, Reservation Dogs, and Killers of the Flower Moon. Because it is easy to move around and has a rich midwestern look, it is perfect for showing how tough rodeo life can be.

Tulsa has grown in popularity as a film destination, hosting productions like Tulsa King, Reservation Dogs, and Twisters. Its flexible filming infrastructure and rich midwestern look make it ideal for capturing the grit of rodeo life.

2) OWASSO, OKLAHOMA

The local watering hole Jack of Clubs Bar was the setting for scenes where Joe met up with old rodeo friends again. It was also the site of an important bar fight scene.

McCarty Park Rodeo Grounds: Used for practice scenes and flashbacks to when Joe was a bull rider.

Owasso is a suburb that is growing quickly. It has both country charm and modern conveniences. Because of its history with the railroad and strong sense of community, it fit perfectly with the movie’s themes of redemption and leaving a legacy.

3) COLLINSVILLE, OKLAHOMA

The small town of Collinsville gave filmmakers a chance to show a more personal, rural side of things. Most of the movies were shot here at:

The popular local diner—Silver Dollar Café was turned into a Texas-style bar. This place is important because it’s where Joe thinks about the choices he’s made in the past.

Collinsville has a lot of small-town American charm and is known as the “Dairy Capital of Oklahoma.”. Its quieter streets and welcoming businesses helped shape the film’s more personal moments.

4) SKIATOOK, OKLAHOMA

The exact locations used in Skiatook were not made public, but this town provided a lot of background scenes and road scenes.

Skiatook is called “The Gateway to the Osage” because it is on the border of Tulsa and Osage counties. Its wide-open spaces and easy access to scenic drives made it perfect for scenes that needed to flow into each other in the movie, especially when Joe travels to see important people from his past.

5) OKMULGEE, OKLAHOMA

Some outdoor scenes and neighborhood shots were shot in Okmulgee, which gave the movie a feel of life in a small Oklahoma town.

Okmulgee’s architecture and the countryside around it are shown in a number of montages, though not as much as Tulsa or Owasso. The town helped show the film’s wider cultural landscape because it has a lot of Native American history and heritage.

6) THACKERVILLE, OKLAHOMA

Thackerville, which is close to the Texas border, was used to show rodeo circuits from other states. Even though they are short, these scenes show Joe’s travels around the area as he looks for redemption and prize money.

Thackerville is best known as the location of the WinStar World Casino. It has wide-open country roads and fields that helped tell the story visually by showing both loneliness and possibility.

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THE LAST RODEO FINAL TRAILER

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Even though THE LAST RODEO has a plot that isn’t new—what makes it great is how well the locations where it was filmed across Oklahoma were chosen to tell the story visually. There should be a strong sense of place in every scene, from bullrings in Tulsa to roadside diners in Collinsville. The filmmakers did a great job of using Oklahoma’s diverse landscapes and rich culture as a backdrop for the story, which made it relatable to people who are looking for honesty and traditional American values in small towns.

Whether you’re a film enthusiast, a fan of Neal McDonough, or simply curious about behind-the-scenes production, the filming journey of The Last Rodeo offers insight into how location shapes story.

Keep checking back with tvacute.com for more updates, behind-the-scenes details and exclusive insights on The Last Rodeo and your favorite films and series.

The post The Last Rodeo Filming Locations Explored: Where Was The Neal Mcdonough Film Shot? By Tvacute.com appeared first on TV Acutte - TV Recaps & Reviews.

Sirens Season 1 Ending Explained – Episode-by-Episode Recap Of Netflix’s Dark Comedy Thriller

 What happens when concern turns into obsession, loyalty is questioned, and luxury masks something far more sinister? Netflix’s limited series SIRENS, created by Molly Smith Metzler, delivers an intense, character-driven story set over one explosive weekend that unearths deep family wounds, psychological control, and secrets that refuse to stay buried.

Across five compelling episodes, the series follows Devon (Meghann Fahy), who rushes to an isolated estate to rescue her sister Simone (Milly Alcock) from the manipulative grasp of her wealthy employer Michaela (Julianne Moore). What begins as a worried sister’s intervention transforms into something far more disturbing.

EPISODE 1 – “BUFFALO GIRLS”

After spending the night in jail, Devon heads to the Hamptons in search of her younger sister Simone, who has become inseparably tied to her enigmatic and powerful boss Michaela. Their father, Bruce, has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia, and Devon hopes Simone will return to Buffalo to help.

But when she arrives at Michaela’s palatial, camera-filled estate, she finds Simone has disappeared into an entirely new identity. Working as Michaela’s assistant, Simone has become absorbed in an artificial world built on money, image, and secrecy. She hides her foster care background, avoids any mention of Devon, and secretly dates Michaela’s eccentric neighbor, Ethan (Glenn Howerton). Devon is disturbed by the house’s intense control—NDAs, surveillance, and unwritten rules—making it feel more like a cult than a workplace.

Simone refuses to leave with Devon, and Michaela attempts to bribe Devon with $10,000 to disappear. Devon lashes out, confides in Jose, a worker on the estate, about her own struggles with hypersexuality, and ends up spending the night with Morgan, Ethan’s yacht captain.

EPISODE 2 – “TALONS”

Determined to reach her sister, Devon breaks onto the estate again, prompting another confrontation. Simone lashes out, revealing Devon’s messy past and affair with her former boss Raymond. Michaela steps in and orders Jose to remove Devon. Soon after, Devon is arrested for trespassing—thanks to Michaela’s manipulation behind the scenes.

In jail, Devon hears rumors swirling about the estate: Is it a cult? Did Michaela murder her husband’s ex-wife, Jocelyn, by pushing her off a cliff?

Michaela bails Devon out—under one condition: she must stay the weekend and behave. Devon agrees, but secretly plans to get Simone out. As she observes the family during preparations for a Vanity Fair photo shoot and a bird funeral, things get weirder. Simone has a panic attack when Michaela learns about her nighttime escapes to see Ethan. Devon, discovering Simone has stopped taking her medication, finds her in hiding and comforts her.

EPISODE 3 – “MONSTER”

Simone wakes up on edge. Another argument brews between the sisters, and Devon reveals her own spiral—alcoholism and multiple DUIs since Simone left home.

Meanwhile, Michaela becomes suspicious of her husband Peter (Kevin Bacon), after realizing the chocolate he gifted her wasn’t from Tokyo, as he claimed. She sends Simone to spy, but Peter catches her and confesses: he traveled to secretly meet his grandson. Michaela has been estranged from Peter’s children, so he chose secrecy.

Then something unexpected happens—Peter kisses Simone. She pulls away, but the damage is done. As she tries to contact Ethan, she discovers he’s missing. Devon suspects Michaela is involved.

But Ethan walks in later, revealing he went to Buffalo and brought back Bruce and Raymond. In front of everyone, he shocks Simone by proposing to her.

EPISODE 4 – “PERSEPHONE”

Simone is overwhelmed by Ethan’s sudden proposal and runs away in tears. Michaela finds her and gently talks her down, advising against the engagement and offering her a prestigious job in New York.

Meanwhile, Michaela and Peter resolve their differences—briefly. That night, a formal dinner at Michaela’s estate brings everyone together: Bruce, Raymond, Ethan, Devon, and others. Peter invites everyone to a bird sanctuary gala the next day.

Tensions rise again between Devon and Simone. Simone unloads years of pain: she blames their father for their mother’s suicide and accuses Devon of not being there for her. Devon, heartbroken, storms out and ends her toxic relationship with Raymond.

Simone ends things with Ethan too. Emotionally shattered, Ethan confronts her and during the argument, falls off a cliff. The screen cuts to black, leaving viewers unsure if he survived.

Meanwhile, the Vanity Fair photographer reveals a secret photo of Simone kissing Peter. Michaela sees it—and explodes in rage.

EPISODE 5 – “SIREN SONG”

The finale opens with Ethan’s fate: he survived the fall, bruised but alive. But things take a surreal turn—he accuses Simone of pushing him and even claims she had wings. His accusations blur the line between hallucination and myth, hinting at the show’s title—Sirens—and its metaphorical weight.

Michaela doesn’t hold back. Fueled by jealousy and betrayal, she packs Simone’s belongings and fires her. Simone breaks down and goes nonverbal, entering a fugue state.

Devon finds out and confronts Michaela publicly during the bird sanctuary gala. In front of guests, Devon accuses Michaela of running a cult and killing Jocelyn. Michaela clears the air: Jocelyn isn’t dead—she lives on a remote island after a bad plastic surgery post-divorce. Michaela didn’t kill her.

But the revelations don’t stop. Peter, long perceived as the calmer one, is revealed to be the true manipulator. Coldly, he discards Michaela and sets his eyes on Simone as her replacement. The symbolic siren was never Michaela—it was Simone, luring and replacing.

This shocking twist breaks Devon’s illusions. She realizes she’s the one who’s always stayed when others left. Her loyalty, while messy, is genuine. She chooses to return to Buffalo and care for their father alone.

In a quiet moment during their ferry ride back, Devon and Michaela exchange a strange but human conversation. Despite everything, they recognize how surreal their weekend has been—a world of money, manipulation, and myth collapsing into truth.

ENDING EXPLAINED: THE SIREN UNMASKED

The title Sirens plays on dual meanings—mythological seduction and literal danger. In the end, it isn’t Michaela who’s the ultimate manipulator, but Peter, who hides his ambition and uses both women to serve his needs. Michaela, who appeared controlling and cult-like, is exposed as a broken woman clinging to order.

Simone, meanwhile, undergoes a brutal transformation—from a woman seeking identity to someone used as a pawn. Her kiss with Peter, her dismissal by Michaela, and her near-marriage to Ethan reflect a dangerous cycle of being controlled.

Devon, initially seen as reckless, emerges with clarity. While flawed, she chooses responsibility over chaos, and her final decision to stay by her father reclaims her agency.

The show ends not with justice or revenge, but with quiet choices. The façade cracks. The sirens are silenced. And real life—with all its imperfections—resumes.

Visit tvacute.com for more SIRENS updates, breakdowns, and behind-the-scenes coverage as we dive into the secrets that shook the coast.

The post Sirens Season 1 Ending Explained – Episode-by-Episode Recap Of Netflix’s Dark Comedy Thriller appeared first on TV Acutte - TV Recaps & Reviews.