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Family drama

Useless (2020): Cast & Ratings

Useless (2020) movie poster

Useless is a 2020 family drama directed by Josiah Burdick, starring Travis W Bruyer as Patrol Sergeant, Lexi Anastasia and Scott McCauley. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes. Its Echo Score is 38/100.

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Useless (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Director
Josiah Burdick
Genres
Drama , Family
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Useless About?

The premise of Useless without spoilers.

Following the tragic death of her mother, seventeen-year-old Jessie moves to Western Montana to live with her aunt and uncle. Struggling to adjust to a new school and facing the loss of her mother, she clings to the world of barrel racing, a connection they shared. Despite lacking a horse of her own, Jessie perseveres, finding unexpected attention from a bull rider. Her hope is renewed when her uncle discovers a seemingly useless cutting horse, offering her a chance to pursue her passion and heal.

Useless Themes & Keywords

· 3 tags
  • ambulance
  • paramedic
  • horse
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Cast & crew

Useless Cast & Characters

Travis W Bruyer leads the cast as Patrol Sergeant, with Lexi Anastasia as Blue Eyes (as Lexi Anastasia) and Scott McCauley as Gus the Foreman. Directed by Josiah Burdick; 6 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Useless

· 2 more
Ratings

Useless Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 38/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in character & emotion (20).

38 /100

Useless Echo Score Breakdown

Useless struggles to deliver a compelling cinematic experience, as its most significant shortcomings lie in the performances and narrative cohesion. The majority of reviewers cite wooden acting, lack of chemistry, and a sluggish, formulaic plot that undermines emotional engagement. Conversely, the film’s visual elements, particularly the authentic horse sequences and striking Montana landscapes, receive consistent praise. The cumulative effect is a movie that offers occasional aesthetic appeal but fails to sustain interest or rewatch value.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    Regarding art and craft, the film excels in its visual presentation. Reviewers commend the cinematography for capturing breathtaking Montana vistas and authentic horse‑riding sequences, noting an understated color palette that enhances the natural setting. However, direction receives little mention, implying a neutral impact, and editing is unremarkable. Overall, the craftsmanship offers strong aesthetic moments despite limited narrative support.

  • Character & Emotion 20

    Character and emotion are the film’s weakest elements. Critics uniformly describe the performances as wooden, with monotone delivery and a pervasive lack of chemistry among the cast, undermining believability. One supporting actor receives mild praise, yet this exception does not offset the overall deficit. The emotional resonance intended by the grief‑centered story fails to materialize, leaving the audience disengaged.

  • Story & Flow 35

    Story and flow suffer from a predictable, formulaic structure and sluggish pacing. Reviewers note that the plot offers little originality, with scattered ideas that never coalesce into a compelling narrative. While a few find the basic premise acceptable, the overall execution feels repetitive and unengaging, diminishing audience investment throughout the runtime.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    The sensory experience presents a stark contrast between visual splendor and auditory shortcomings. Cinematography and scenery receive acclaim for their breathtaking quality, reinforcing the film’s natural setting. In opposition, the soundtrack is described as boring, depressive, and occasionally cheesy, detracting from the intended emotional tone. This imbalance results in a mixed sensory impression that leans toward the negative.

  • Rewatch Factor 25

    Rewatch potential is low, with most viewers indicating little desire to revisit the film. The combination of weak performances, a meandering plot, and uninviting music undermines lasting appeal. Although the visual elements linger in memory, they are insufficient to motivate repeat viewings, resulting in minimal replay value.

Cars

Cars in Useless

18 cars on screen, including the 2003 Dodge Ram and the Case IH Maxxum.

All 18 cars
  • 2003 Dodge Ram in Useless 2003 Dodge Ram Important role
  • Case IH Maxxum in Useless Case IH Maxxum Minor role
  • 1998 Dodge Ram in Useless 1998 Dodge Ram Minor role
  • 1992 Ford Club Wagon in Useless 1992 Ford Club Wagon Minor role
Details

Useless Also Known As

3 alternative titles, including “Бесполезный” and “Algo para Acreditar”.

Also known as
  • Бесполезный
  • Algo para Acreditar
  • Algo en que Creer

Seen Useless?

FAQ

Useless FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Useless, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Useless?

Useless runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

When was Useless released?

Useless was released on August 3, 2020.

Who directed Useless?

Useless was directed by Josiah Burdick.

Who is in the cast of Useless?

Useless stars Travis W Bruyer as Patrol Sergeant, Lexi Anastasia as Blue Eyes (as Lexi Anastasia) and Scott McCauley as Gus the Foreman, among 6 credited actors.

Does Useless have a post-credit scene?

No. Useless has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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