Synopsis: Follows the Jackass crew as they perform their final series of dangerous stunts and pranks, marking the end of the franchise.
Director: Jeff Tremaine
Stars: Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius
Back in 2000, a little MTV series called Jackass debuted with a premise so unbelievably simple that nobody could have predicted the cultural phenomenon it would become. A group of friends filmed themselves pulling outrageous pranks and performing increasingly dangerous stunts, often at their own expense. There was no elaborate plot, no deep message, and certainly no concern for personal safety. It was just a bunch of guys seeing who was willing to do the dumbest thing imaginable, and somehow it worked.
As the popularity of the television series exploded, so did the scale and absurdity of the stunts. What started as a niche MTV program evolved into one of the most successful comedy franchises of the last quarter century. Across five feature films, the Jackass series has earned more than $550 million worldwide against a combined production budget of just over $60 million. Those numbers are staggering and prove that audiences have always been willing to pay to watch people make spectacularly terrible decisions.
At the centre of it all is Johnny Knoxville, the unmistakable face of the franchise. While Knoxville has appeared in plenty of films outside of Jackass, this role defines his career. What makes him such an entertaining figure isn’t simply his willingness to be the ringleader; it’s that he never asks anyone to do something he wouldn’t attempt himself. Even after decades of injuries, surgeries, broken bones, and concussions, he still throws himself into the madness.
His commitment was perhaps best illustrated during Jackass Forever (2022), where Knoxville willingly stood in front of a charging bull. The stunt resulted in a concussion, broken ribs, a broken wrist, and even a brain hemorrhage. Most people would have taken that as a sign to retire. Knoxville simply dusted himself off and kept going. That level of commitment, however insane it may be, deserves a certain amount of respect.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or someone who has never watched a single Jackass film, this latest instalment is surprisingly accessible. It functions as both a greatest-hits celebration and a farewell, mixing iconic moments from throughout the franchise with several brand-new stunts. I won’t spoil any of the new material because half the fun is not knowing what horrifying idea they’re about to attempt next.
The supporting cast remains as wonderfully bizarre as ever. Chris Pontius continues to prove that clothing has always been entirely optional. His legendary “Party Boy” persona, which once saw him dancing nearly naked through the streets of Asia, remains one of the franchise’s defining images. Steve-O somehow continues to top stories that already sound impossible. Whether you remember him pouring hot sauce directly into his eyes on Hot Ones or recalling the infamous Howard Stern appearance where he stapled his own scrotum, he remains one of the most fearless or perhaps most reckless members of the crew. Then there’s Danger Ehren, whose greatest talent seems to be volunteering for the stunts that nobody else wants to attempt. This is, after all, the same man who once tested the strength of an athletic cup by having someone jump onto it with a pogo stick.
Every Jackass project begins with the familiar warning: “Don’t try this at home.” Thankfully, I don’t think that’s going to be a problem for about 97 percent of the population. The remaining three percent…well, they’re probably the same people who thought eating laundry detergent pods was a good idea.
As I watched the film, I realized what separates Jackass from the copycats—these movies don’t feel like they’re made only for our entertainment. It seems like they’re made because this group genuinely enjoys making each other laugh. The cameras simply happen to be rolling. The fact that they’ve built a wildly successful franchise around their friendship feels almost secondary.
That’s why I’ve always considered Jackass less of a stunt team and more of a comedy troupe. Their comedy couldn’t be more different from groups like Monty Python, The Marx Brothers, or Kids in the Hall, but the underlying dynamic is remarkably similar. Each member has a distinct personality, everyone understands their role, and together they create something that none of them could accomplish individually. Their brand of humor may involve tasers, shopping carts, and bodily fluids rather than clever wordplay, but it’s still comedy built on chemistry, timing, and complete trust in one another.
Of course, not every sketch lands. Some moments are hilarious, while others simply leave you wondering why anyone agreed to participate. That’s always been part of the Jackass experience. You laugh, you cringe, you cover your eyes, and then somehow you find yourself laughing again.
The one aspect that puzzled me was the inclusion of Rachel Wolfson. After appearing in Jackass Forever, she returns here but contributes very little. While every other member of the cast gets at least one memorable moment, Wolfson mostly remains in the background. It feels like a missed opportunity and makes her inclusion somewhat confusing.
For more than twenty years, the Jackass crew has pushed boundaries, redefined stunt comedy, and somehow managed to survive long enough to become pop culture icons. More importantly, they’ve reminded audiences that genuine friendship and infectious laughter can sometimes be all you need to create something memorable.
This film serves as a fitting tribute to that legacy. It’s nostalgic, outrageous, occasionally stomach-churning, and frequently hilarious. It may leave you questioning humanity at times, but it also reminds you why this ridiculous group of friends captured the world’s attention in the first place.
I salute the Jackass crew for always being willing to push the envelope, endure the pain, and make us laugh along the way. As farewell celebrations go, this one feels exactly right.
Grade: B
