Rodeo (2022) by Lola Quivoron

“Rodeo” (2022) is a 105-minute French drama film directed by Lola Quivoron. The film provides a raw and immersive look into the world of urban motorcycle rodeo and a young woman’s struggle to find her place within it.

Julia, a young woman feeling like a misfit and deeply passionate about motorcycles, encounters a crew of dirt bike riders known for their high-speed stunts. Eager to belong and driven by her passion, Julia sets out to infiltrate this predominantly male group. Despite the challenges of entering their closed world, she demonstrates her riding skills and determination. However, an accident occurs, jeopardizing her ability to fit in and forcing her to navigate the precarious dynamics of this high-octane, male-dominated subculture. The film follows Julia’s journey as she seeks acceptance and self-discovery within this thrilling but dangerous world.

Lola Quivoron directed “Rodeo” with a vision to create an authentic and visceral portrayal of the urban motorcycle rodeo scene in France. As both director and co-screenwriter, Quivoron aimed to capture the raw energy and danger of this subculture through a realistic lens. Her directorial approach emphasizes immersion, using dynamic camerawork and a gritty aesthetic to convey the intensity of the motorcycle stunts and the lives of the riders. Quivoron’s vision is deeply character-centric, focusing on Julia’s emotional journey, her resilience in a masculine environment, and her complex motivations for seeking belonging and purpose in this unconventional world. She sought to create a film that is both a thrilling spectacle and an intimate character study, exploring themes of identity, ambition, and the allure of subcultures.

• Infiltration and Belonging: Julia’s central struggle is to infiltrate and gain acceptance within a closed, male-dominated group. The film explores the lengths to which outsiders will go to find belonging and the challenges of breaking into established social structures.

• Passion and Misfit Identity: Julia’s passion for motorcycles is intertwined with her sense of being a misfit. The film examines how unconventional passions can drive individuals and how subcultures can offer a sense of identity to those who feel out of place in mainstream society.

• Gender Dynamics in Subcultures: “Rodeo” directly confronts gender dynamics within a masculine subculture. It portrays Julia’s efforts to navigate and assert herself in a world where women are typically excluded, highlighting both the challenges and the potential for female empowerment in such spaces.

• Risk and Adrenaline: The film delves into the allure of risk-taking and the pursuit of adrenaline through dangerous activities like urban rodeo. It explores the psychological motivations behind thrill-seeking and the potential consequences of such lifestyles.

• Community and Isolation: While seeking community within the dirt bike crew, Julia also experiences isolation due to her outsider status and her independent nature. The film examines the complex interplay between the desire for connection and the reality of individual journeys.

• Accident and Setback: The accident in the plot introduces themes of vulnerability and the precariousness of Julia’s chosen path. It explores how setbacks can challenge one’s sense of belonging and force characters to confront their limitations.

• Authentic Portrayal of a Subculture: The film’s immersive and realistic depiction of the urban motorcycle rodeo world is a key factor in its critical success and audience engagement.

• Compelling Central Character: Julia, as a determined and complex female protagonist, provides a strong emotional anchor for the film, making her journey relatable and captivating.

• Visceral and Energetic Cinematography: The dynamic cinematography effectively captures the thrill and danger of the motorcycle stunts, enhancing the film’s overall impact.

• Strong Performances, Especially Julie Ledru: Julie Ledru’s debut performance as Julia is widely praised for its authenticity and intensity, bringing depth and credibility to the character.

• Lola Quivoron’s Direction and Vision: Quivoron’s assured direction and clear vision for the film, blending realism with character-driven storytelling, are crucial to its artistic achievements.

“Rodeo” (2022) directed by Lola Quivoron is a French drama about Julia, a young misfit passionate about motorcycles, who infiltrates a male-dominated urban dirt bike riding crew, seeking belonging but facing challenges and an accident that tests her place within the group.

“Rodeo” has achieved significant recognition with 10 wins and 14 nominations:

• Reykjavik International Film Festival 2022: Golden Puffin – New Visions (Won – Lola Quivoron)

• Torino Film Festival 2022:

  • Prize of the City of Torino – Best Actress (Won – Julie Ledru)

  • Special Jury Prize – International Competition (Won – Lola Quivoron)

  • Holden Award for Best Script – Special Mention (Won – Lola Quivoron, Antonia Buresi)

  • Prize of the City of Torino – Best Feature Film (Nominated – Lola Quivoron)

• Vancouver International Film Festival 2022: Audience Award – Altered States (Won – Lola Quivoron)

• Seville European Film Festival 2022: Best Actress (Won – Julie Ledru)

• Champs-Élysées Film Festival 2022:

  • Prix du jury – La meilleure réalisatrice française (Won – Lola Quivoron)

  • Prix de la Critique – Long métrage français (Won – Lola Quivoron)

  • Prix du jury – Longs métrage français (Nominated – Lola Quivoron)

• Cannes Film Festival 2022: Un Certain Regard – Jury Coup de Coeur (Won – Lola Quivoron)

  • Queer Palm (Nominated – Lola Quivoron)

  • Un Certain Regard Award (Nominated – Lola Quivoron)

  • Golden Camera (Nominated – Lola Quivoron)

• The Guardian’s Best Films 2023: The Best Film – June (Won – Lola Quivoron)

• César Awards 2023: Most Promising Actress (Révélations) (Won – Julie Ledru)

“Rodeo” has received widespread critical acclaim, earning high praise for its visceral energy, authentic portrayal of its subculture, and Julie Ledru’s captivating performance.

• Rotten Tomatoes: The film holds a “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes with a 93% approval score from 42 critics. The consensus highlights Julie Ledru’s “mesmerizing performance” and the film’s “thrilling and disquieting plunge into an unfamiliar subculture.”

• Metacritic: “Rodeo” has a Metascore of 77 out of 100 based on 15 critic reviews, indicating “generally favorable reviews.”

• Overall Summary: Critics consistently commend “Rodeo” for its raw and authentic depiction of the urban motorcycle rodeo subculture, Lola Quivoron’s assured and dynamic direction, and Julie Ledru’s breakout performance. The film is lauded for its immersive quality, visceral energy, and compelling character study of a woman navigating a male-dominated world. Reviewers emphasize its thrilling nature and emotional resonance, marking it as a significant and impressive debut.

• Variety: Guy Lodge of Variety called it a “forceful, nerve-jangling debut,” praising its “grimy, propulsive energy” and Julie Ledru’s “fierce” performance, noting its immersive qualities and depiction of a “hyper-masculine milieu.”

• Screen Daily: Jonathan Romney of Screen Daily hailed it as a “confident, muscular debut” and Julie Ledru as a “major discovery,” emphasizing its visceral impact and exploration of a “marginalised, testosterone-driven subculture.”

• The Guardian: In The Guardian’s “Best Films of June 2023,” “Rodeo” was highlighted as “The Best Film,” further solidifying its critical acclaim and recognition as a standout cinematic achievement.

These reviews underscore the film’s raw energy, authenticity, and the powerful central performance by Julie Ledru, contributing to its strong critical reception.

As of February 27, 2025, “Rodeo” has grossed:

• Opening Weekend (US & Canada): $6,093

• Gross (US & Canada): $18,076

• Gross (Worldwide): $174,587

“Rodeo” (2022) is a French production directed and co-written by Lola Quivoron, with collaboration on the screenplay by Antonia Buresi. Charles Gillibert served as producer, Kelman Duran composed the score, Raphaël Vandenbussche was the cinematographer, and Rafael Torres Calderon was the editor. The film is noted for its casting of non-professional actors from the urban rodeo community to enhance realism, adding to its authentic feel.

• CG Cinéma [CG Cinéma](no website found in search)

• Canal+ [Canal+] (canalplus.fr)

• Ciné+ [Ciné+] (cineplus.fr)

• Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine

• Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC)

• Cinémage 16 [Cinémage 16](no website found in search)

• Les Films du Losange (France – Theatrical)

• Music Box Films (United States – All Media, United States – All media)

• Madman Entertainment (Australia – All media)

• Madman Films (New Zealand – All media)

• Alambique Filmes (Portugal – All media)

• Vertigo Média Kft. (Hungary – All media)

• Plaion Pictures (Germany – Theatrical, Blu-ray, DVD) [Plaion Pictures](no website found in search)

• Curzon Film Distributors (United Kingdom – Theatrical, Ireland – Theatrical)

• Caramel Films (Spain – Theatrical – subtitled version) [Caramel Films](no website found in search)

Why to Recommend This Movie

• Visually Stunning and Energetic: The film offers a dynamic and visually arresting portrayal of motorcycle rodeo culture with thrilling stunt sequences.

• Powerful Female Lead Performance: Julie Ledru delivers a breakout performance as Julia, a compelling and unconventional female protagonist.

• Authentic and Immersive Subculture Exploration: Provides a rare and authentic glimpse into a unique and largely unseen underground world.

• Critically Acclaimed and Award-Winning: Garnered significant critical acclaim and numerous awards, affirming its artistic merit and quality.

• Compelling Character Study: Beyond the action, it’s a nuanced character study of a young woman seeking belonging and identity in a challenging environment.

Why You Should Watch Movie

• If you appreciate gritty and realistic dramas: “Rodeo” offers a raw and authentic cinematic experience.

• If you are drawn to films with strong female characters: Julia is a memorable and complex protagonist.

• If you enjoy action with substance: The film blends thrilling motorcycle sequences with meaningful thematic depth.

• If you seek out critically acclaimed international cinema: “Rodeo” is a standout French film recognized at major festivals.

• If you are interested in subcultures and outsider stories: The film provides an immersive look into a unique and compelling subculture.

What Movie Trend Film Is Following

• Social Realist Drama with Genre Elements: “Rodeo” continues the trend of social realist dramas that incorporate genre elements (in this case, crime and thriller aspects) to explore marginalized communities and social issues.

• Female-Centric Stories in Traditionally Male Genres: The film aligns with the trend of female-driven narratives within traditionally male-dominated genres, offering fresh perspectives and challenging conventions.

• Independent Films with Visceral Style: “Rodeo” exemplifies the trend of independent films that utilize a visceral and energetic visual style to create immersive and impactful viewing experiences.

What Big Social Trend Is Following

• Representation of Marginalized Groups: The film reflects a broader social trend of seeking representation and understanding of marginalized communities and subcultures in media and art.

• Female Empowerment and Gender Fluidity: Julia’s character taps into social conversations around female empowerment, challenging gender norms, and exploring female identity in traditionally masculine spaces.

• Urban Youth and Subcultures: The film engages with contemporary urban youth culture, exploring themes of belonging, identity formation, and the allure of subcultures as alternative social structures.

“Rodeo” (2022) by Lola Quivoron is a critically acclaimed and powerfully immersive French drama that offers a thrilling and authentic exploration of urban motorcycle rodeo culture through the eyes of a determined young woman. Its strengths lie in its visceral energy, Julie Ledru’s captivating performance, Quivoron’s assured direction, and its nuanced exploration of complex themes. Highly recommended for viewers seeking gritty, character-driven independent cinema that delivers both visceral thrills and insightful social commentary.