Jackass Forever

Jackass Forever reunites Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Wee Man, and the rest of the original crew for their fourth theatrical outing, bringing two decades of self-destructive camaraderie to a new generation while introducing fresh faces like Zach Holmes, Jasper Dolphin, and Rachel Wolfson to the franchise. The film succeeds in recapturing the anarchic spirit that made Jackass a cultural phenomenon, with Knoxville's commitment to increasingly dangerous stunts—particularly the opening "Godzilla" sequence and the terrifying "Silence of the Lambs" prank—demonstrating that age has not dimmed his willingness to suffer for comedy. With Wolfson making history as the first female Jackass and Zach Holmes adding a lighthearted vulnerability to his extreme physical comedy, the addition of new cast members breathes new life into the formula. Meanwhile, the returning veterans' sincere camaraderie and respect for one another adds a subtle warmth that elevates these movies above simple shock value. In an era of sanitized entertainment, the film's promotion of bodily injury as community bonding feels almost antique, and the practical effects and classic stunt work offer a welcome counterbalance to contemporary CGI-heavy comedy.

The movie, however, is unable to avoid the passing of time, as a number of significant omissions—most notably the contentious departure of Bam Margera and the untimely death of Ryan Dunn—cast a pall over the proceedings and leave glaring holes in the group dynamic. Even for die-hard fans, the reliance on genital pain and scatological humor becomes monotonous, and the pacing feels erratic, with some pranks stopping before they can completely develop and others going beyond their humorous breaking point. The new cast members, while enthusiastic, occasionally feel like they're trying too hard to prove themselves worthy of the Jackass legacy, resulting in stunts that prioritize pain over wit. Furthermore, the film's attempts at introspection, such as a final montage celebrating the franchise's past, seem a little out of step with the aggressively immature material that comes before them. While Jackass Forever delivers exactly what fans expect—gross-out gags, bone-crunching impacts, and infectious laughter among friends—it also serves as a bittersweet reminder that even professional idiots cannot outrun aging, and that the physical toll of this brand of comedy may no longer be sustainable for its founding fathers.

Staff:

Directed by: Jeff Tremaine

Based on: Jackass by Jeff Tremaine, Spike Jonze, and Johnny Knoxville

Produced by: Jeff Tremaine, Spike Jonze, and Johnny Knoxville

Starring: Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Dave England, Danger Ehren, Wee Man, Preston Lacy, Poopies, Zach Holmes, Jasper Dolphin, Eric Manaka, and Rachel Wolfson

Cinematography: Dimitry Elyashkevich

Edited by: Matthew Kosinski, Matthew Probst, and Sascha Stanton-Craven

Music by: Joseph Shirley

Production companies: MTV Entertainment Studios and Dickhouse Entertainment

Distributed by: Paramount Pictures

Release date: February 4, 2022

Running time: 96 minutes