For a franchise built on dangerous stunts and an almost unbelievable disregard for personal safety, “Jackass: Best and Last” ends on a surprisingly heartfelt note. Yes, there are still plenty of painful, stomach-turning stunts that will make you laugh, wince, and wonder what possesses these guys to keep doing this. But beneath it all is a genuine goodbye to a group of friends who somehow turned hurting themselves into one of the most successful comedy franchises of the last 25 years.
Directed by Jeff Tremaine, the fifth and final main installment doesn’t try to top the biggest stunts from the past, but embraces its history. The film mixes brand new pranks with classic clips, behind-the-scenes footage, and previously unseen material, including an early video of ringleader Johnny Knoxville (stupidly) testing a bulletproof vest on himself that perfectly captures the reckless spirit that started it all. Rather than feeling like filler, most of these archival moments serve as reminders of just how much these guys have put themselves through over the years. I’ve been a fan since their early years on MTV, and this movie really brought back a lot of those nostalgic feels.
The new material proves they haven’t completely lost their touch, either. Steve-O‘s unforgettable prostate exam courtesy of a wisecracking robot is exactly the kind of ridiculous idea only these jackasses could pull off, and a disgustingly messy game of Twister delivers some of the biggest laughs in the film. The cast may be older, but their comedic timing is still razor sharp and their willingness to make complete fools of themselves hasn’t faded one bit.
Longtime fans will appreciate the more melancholy and bittersweet moments too, like archival footage of Ryan Dunn (who died in 2011) and Bam Margera (a fan favorite who was cast out of the group after years of drug and alcohol abuse and violent behavior). The crew, especially Knoxville, openly acknowledges that this is the end. Watching these lifelong friends reflect on what they’ve built together is unexpectedly moving, and the film becomes a story about aging, mortality, and the rare bond that comes from spending decades surviving increasingly terrible ideas together.
The nostalgia does come at a cost. There are stretches where the movie feels more like a “greatest hits” retrospective than a full-fledged new Jackass movie. Fans looking for fresh stunts may be disappointed by how much time is spent revisiting old material (and the new faces in the cast are given very little to do). It also becomes clear that after 25 years the franchise has largely exhausted its supply of truly original concepts because it leans more on callbacks than reinvention.
Still, that’s also what makes this farewell work. “Jackass: Best and Last” understands that its greatest achievement was never just the outrageous stunts. It was the friendships, the commitment to making each other laugh, and the willingness to embarrass themselves for our entertainment. It’s hilarious, surprisingly touching, and the kind of goodbye that feels especially meaningful.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 