jackass: best and last – Movie Review
In 1998, Johnny Knoxville filmed a self defense equipment test for Big Brother magazine, run by Jeff Tremaine. He was tased and pepper sprayed while holding an American flag. This footage and new found bond between Knoxville and Tremaine then sparked what became the iconic MTV show and subsequent four films (plus a plethora of other content) known as jackass. And for over two decades, this gang of wild and juvenile degenerates have been making audiences laugh, gag, cry, appalled, and wonderfully comfortable with all kinds of male nudity.
What MTV never showed though, is that part of this test Knoxville filmed in 1998 also contained footage of him putting on a bullet proof fest (with some Hustler magazines underneath for “added protection”), driving out into the middle of nowhere, and using a .38 to test the vest. It was deemed too intense for MTV, and probably rightfully so. But, in 2026 as the jackass crew, most of whom are now in their 50s, get ready to put a bow on this chapter in their lives, jackass: best and last opens with that insane footage and brings fans on a nostalgic and emotional ride in this fifth and final film.
Serving a mix of greatest hits from over the years (with some new additional footage edited in), some new stunts that were filmed over a few days on a studio backlot, and a behind-the-scenes reflections of what jackass has meant to these guys over the last 25+ years, jackass: best and last is a love letter to the fans, to the crew, and too some healthy debauchery.
Taking highlights from both the TV show and films, the greatest hits bring a wave of nostalgia through the screen watching these young and dumb fellas ride big red rockets, muck around with bulls, and pull off some insanely elaborate pranks. The stunts they’ve picked definitely resonate with the “best” aspect of the title, and getting the additional commentary plus some new footage is hilarious and exciting.
The new bits, all filmed on a studio backlot, are a little more mixed. One on hand, it’s just so great to see the peanut gallery reacting to some truly wild stuff. And in best and last, the emphasis leans more towards gross than gnarly. Sure, there’s some tasering and an escape room from hell, but there is far more butts, puke, and… well, let’s say laxative-induced shenanigans on offer. There are two real standout bits, while the others are still funny, but probably wouldn’t make a following “greatest hits” compilation.
What jackass: best and last truly nails is the emotions of it all. After the wild opening footage and a technically elaborate opening scene set to “I Need A Hero”, Knoxville is asked how he feels about it being the first last day of filming jackass. He stops, his lip quivers, and he says, “I’m sad.” And there is this looming feeling over the 90 minutes of shenanigans that there is a finality to this. Knoxville is asked again later in the film (albeit while strapped to an electric chair), and once again, he pauses, tears up, and the finality sinks in. Now, it makes sense, right? For over two decades, these guys have beaten themselves up for our (and honestly, their own) entertainment.
But, it’s time to say goodbye, and best and last truly is the jackass crew saying goodbye, and saying, “Thank you”. The end credits (a staple of the franchise) will bring a tear to the eye of jackass fans everywhere who have been on this wild ride. And stay for the post-credits for a deep-cut bit that only true jackass-ians will get.
jackass: best and last wouldn’t necessarily be the entry point film for newcomers to the cinematic debauchery, because it’s a love letter to everything that has made this crew and their shenanigans so iconic for the last 25 years. The greatest hits are nostalgic, the new stunts are pretty fucked up, and the emotion behind it all is touching.
jackass: best and last releases in Australian cinemas on July 2
