'Jackass' Goes Out With a Literal Bang

There's something kind of wistful about hearing the words "Hi, I'm Johnny Knoxville, welcome to 'Jackass'" for the final time. It's like a kick to the crotch, but in a way that makes you cry happy tears. 2022's "Jackass Forever" was an unexpected, yet wholeheartedly welcome revival of the MTV reality stunt program turned big screen phenomenon, with the OGs ushering in a bunch of new generation talent like Zach, Jasper, Poopies and Rachel Wolfson. The series had seemingly caught a second wind after a 12 year gap between ensemble flicks, and audiences proved they were ready for more pranks, stunts and infectious camaraderie. But it was announced in early 2026 that "Jackass: Best and Last," their sixth theatrically released film, would be the definitive ending to the franchise. I initially had some reservations upon learning it would consist of some new footage sprinkled in among the greatest hits. Those quickly dissipated, however, once I saw just how much staying power the "Golf Course Airhorn" and "High Five" bits still had over an audience — and myself for that matter. "Best and Last" eschews the notion of it being a slapdash compilation movie (or even one the .5 companion films), and fully leans into giving folks a meaningful victory lap for Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Wee-Man, Dave England, Preston Lacy and Ehren McGhehey (Bam Margera sporadically shows up in archival footage only). They certainly deserve it after all of the bodily trauma they've put themselves through for our amusement over the past 26 years. Not to mention that the series is a legitimate pillar of queer cinema that celebrated the act of all these guys playing with their often naked bodies around one another with such jovial frivolity. Thankfully, they gave us one more outing, with my favorite being a diabolical bit involving laxatives, plastic bags and a game of Twister that had me laughing and gagging in equal measure. But it's the older footage that transforms "Best and Last" from a final hurrah into its most fitting culmination. Rather than kicking off with the usual cinematic opening sequence, "Best and Last" instead treats us to footage that's considered the genesis of "Jackass." The late '90s tape involves Knoxville (who was referred to then by the initials PJ based on his birth name Philip John Clapp) prepping to test some self defense items on himself like pepper spray and stun guns. But where the footage takes a dark turn is when he pulls out a .38 Smith & Wesson revolver with the intent on driving out to the desert with his film crew, putting on a third-rate bulletproof vest (along with some nudie mags for "extra protection") and then shooting himself in the chest. MTV refused to air the footage for the TV show, and rightfully so. I'm still shocked Paramount even allowed it to see the light of day in this film, even with all of the extra disclaimers. Anyone who's listened to interviews with Knoxville over the years will be familiar with this story. He had pitched it to Tremaine for the now defunct skateboarding magazine Big Brother, which had broken its way into the video market. When the footage came back, they realized they had something, and later recruited the help of director Spike Jonze to transform it into the "Jackass" we know and love. It's one thing to hear about this legendarily insane footage (which was only made available on the second Big Brother tape), and another to actually see it in action. It's an exceptionally tense sequence that makes you think Knoxville might actually bite the dust, in spite of history proving otherwise. There's only one bullet in the gun, so it's like playing Russian Roulette if you counted on getting the shot. The air is filled with silence and clicks from the empty chambers, coupled with the off-camera crew silently begging Knoxville to not do it as they realize the gravity of what they've gotten themselves into. It gave me knots in my stomach, which is really saying something for everything that Knoxville's done since. When the gun finally goes off, everyone hops in the car and gets out of there with nervous laughter and, thankfully, no serious injuries. You likely won't see a crazier opening to a movie this year. The self defense bit really unlocks Knoxville's whole deal about how much he loves flirting with death. It recontextualizes later stunts like the "Riot Control Test," and how much he's subconsciously still stuck in chasing that reckless high. Whether it's the gnarly golf cart crash from the first movie or the near-fatal rocket launch from the second, Knoxville's pain has always been camera ready, unnervingly so. The self defense footage really adds a whole other layer of dangerous thrill-seeking to the bit that led to the beginning of the end for "Jackass." In "Best and Last," we get to see the "Magic Trick" sequence from "Forever" again, in which Knoxville is dressed as a magician while a bull rams toward him to the extent that he flips in the air. The brutal impact led to a concussion, a brain hemorrhage, a broken wrist and broken ribs. It was Knoxville's sign from the universe that he's not the young man he once was, and that his body won't allow him to repeat the same bold stunts the late '90s/early 2000s afforded him to survive/get away. What the last film didn't show us, however, was that the bit had already been filmed, albeit with disappointing results. Like that infamous video, Knoxville couldn't help but flirt with danger in order to get the shot he wanted, and he sure got it on the second go around. The handsome salt and pepper Knoxville of the contemporary footage is still so full of life and mischief (his laugh will never not make me smile), yet he's seen looking genuinely upset about his inability to take the hits like he used to. It's initially disappointing that most of the new stunts are shot on the Paramount backlot, but the raw footage indicates a more controlled environment might be for the best. Stuntmen like Knoxville pride themselves on being able to take the hits as they come, so it's bittersweet to see him so emotional about that part of his life being over. The echoing gunshot that launched "Jackass" has finally faded out, and now Knoxville can rest a little bit easier knowing that he doesn't have to die on camera. Thanks for the years of laughter, you absolute madman. "Jackass: Best and Last" is now playing in theaters nationwide.