‘Jackass: Best and Last’ Review: A Crude, Disgusting, and Truly Sentimental Farewell
Short, sweet, and blending the old with the new, ‘Jackass: Best and Last’ is less swan song and more victory lap. Longtime fans and new viewers alike will find a lot to appreciate in this theatrical riot.
It’s 2026, and another Jackass film has graced our screens. A lot has changed since its first theatrical venture, but the nature of their “dumb but tough” approach to life will forever remain universal. Since I was old enough to form any sentient thought, the ‘Jackass’ franchise has been a part of my life. From watching stunts with my dad at age 7 to sneaking into ‘Jackass: Forever’ in theaters, the gang’s omnipresence throughout my upbringing has no doubt shaped my comedic taste as an adult. That being said, many lifelong fans went into ‘Jackass: Best and Last’ with a major amount of doubt. Its initial announcement was met with a wave of excitement online, followed by an increased spattering of concern as time went on. More details revealed that its title was literal, with the film serving as a mix of footage of unaired stunts, their greatest hits, and new segments. I myself was among that group, as I truly believed their ideal final film had already been released. Now, did their (new) final effort dispel any of my doubts? No, but to my surprise, the formula worked.
If ‘Jackass: Forever’ is the gang’s swan song, ‘Best and Last’ is their victory lap. Its oddly poignant and beautifully-sentimental throughline is one that can be felt through the screen. Themes of aging, brotherhood, and the importance of saying goodbye are present throughout its 93-minute runtime, with new and old clips only serving to elevate those themes. A once-irreverent series of stunts more stupid than the last has gone on long enough to develop a very real sense of heart, with the camaraderie between everyone seeping through the raunchy facade. Seeing Johnny Knoxville shed real tears at the mere thought of this franchise eclipsing felt like a swift punch to the gut. The overall sense of family and comfort in each other that is felt between the group is palpable throughout the series, but is really at the forefront of this film’s throughline.
It’s hard to be truly sentimental about grown men named “Poopies” and “Wee-Man” without addressing the nature of what's presented. The stunts in this film are just as heinous as what came before. Although lacking a full feature-film worth of content, the new segments still offer something for fans to enjoy. From off-formulary use of laxatives for a game of twister to a cameo from Paul Walter Hauser in a sequel to the ‘Dum Dum Game’, the latest installment is just about as ‘Jackass’ as they come. From explosions to genitals, the franchise formula is still very much alive. With bigger casts, however, comes an inherent imbalance in on-screen presence. Most notably, the omission of any real segments from Rachel Wolfson came as a major disappointment given her electric presence in their previous effort.
The mix of old and new footage was something I went in with an inherent level of skepticism towards, as I was hoping for anything but a greatest hits rehashing of what we’d already seen. However, as far as that goes, I can confidently say the gang has more than earned the right to show some of this footage again. What they’ve accomplished over the last 26 years is nothing short of extraordinary, and mixing in stunts we’ve already seen with new efforts just works for a ‘Jackass’ farewell. Seeing ‘Poo Cocktail Supreme’ in the same film as ‘Butt X-Ray’ was incredibly satisfying. The archive footage really shines, however, when it’s previously unaired footage. Finally getting to see the ‘Big Brother’ stunt that spawned the franchise was worth the price of admission alone.
With this last installment, the ‘Jackass’ franchise is finally at rest. Its blend of old and new footage allowed Jeff Tremaine and the rest of the crew to celebrate what came before while ushering in a new and exciting batch of final bits. Fans of the franchise will certainly laugh until they cry, and ‘Best and Last’ is definitely going to birth new diehards with its structure. I’m sad, but ultimately beyond satisfied, with the film entry in one of my favorite franchises. Get your rest fellas, and maybe some Advil. You’ve earned it.