The Wasteland Reviewer

Jimmy and Stiggs (2025) Written Review

What type of film would you expect to come out of an independent film studio founded by Eli Roth? Well…probably something completely insane that was made for all the sickos out there. Roth’s reputation is certainly one centered on controversial horror films that push the boundaries of what filmmakers have put on film as well as finding the deepest darkest desires within humanity. He found a filmmaker that is playing on his wavelength with Joe Begos who has been making scrappy, low budget horror films that splatter the walls and explore a creative and low-fi approach to filmmaking. Films like VFW have gotten Begos attention…but I am sure nothing like the attention he is going to get for his out-of-this-world gorefest that is Jimmy and Stiggs. 

How does Begos push boundaries and churn stomachs for his latest directorial effort? This film certainly grabs your attention from the start with its POV sequences which bookend the film. This wild ride begins with the audience seeing the hermit life of a fictional version of Begos, a drug-fueled recluse, who refuses to leave his apartment. Tensions rise as weird things happen while we witness him watching porn and smoking some weed. His unfortunate first encounter with aliens is all shown through our eyes and now we are stuck in it with him. There is plenty of claustrophobic filmmaking from Begos as the whole entire film exists within the confines of Jimmy’s apartment. The film certainly has plenty of energy with aggressive music beats and visceral camera work. The pacing is solid (with repetitive narrative beats slowing the energy in the late second act/early third act section of the film). But the climax of the film is a wild ride all its own. The POV camera work returns and there is no escape for Jimmy or the audience. Jimmy’s apartment turns into what feels like a themed haunted house that mixes endless neon color, alien technology ripped from classic science fiction cinema, and the fungal world of Super Mario Bros. (yes…that early 90s one). This finale will stick with you for sure! 

But what makes this film so engrossing, fun, campy, and memorable? The practical effects on display are vintage, campy, and impressive. The aliens are basically puppets with that classic and iconic design that has permeated pop culture for decades. Setting them flying around in wires as they attack the titular duo is quite hilarious but also uncomfortable and unnerving. Seeing what these aliens are trying to do to this pair of tenuous friends is incredibly unnerving to watch. Buckets (and buckets) of neon blood drench our protagonists and the claustrophobic apartment we are all forced to be trapped in. The tentacles…that tentacles. These effects are quite unnerving, but nothing compared to the body horror of what comes from these aliens implanting in humans. There is a wild sequence in the film involving a human body and a puppet that will certainly last with you long after the film (and honestly might get a laugh or two out of you too). But the climax of the film will push the audience’s limit for buckets (and bucket and buckets) of blood and guts. As the credits are about to roll, what you see on screen just might make the city of Las Vegas jealous of the amount of neon going on here. 

But is Jimmy and Stiggs more than a wild and entertaining genre thrill ride? Not much more. The friendship elements are certainly solid as it adds extra tension into this scenario. But the dialogue thrown between these two performers is quite generic or just a bunch of vulgar language. The story is overly simple with only a sense of tension stemming from the ticking time bomb of what the aliens did to our protagonists. Otherwise, the whole story is just a bunch of waves of aliens coming in and being brutally mutilated by the titular pals. The performances of Begos and Matt Mercer involve a lot of yelling, screaming, paranoia, and acting drugged out which is not exactly impressive…but honestly what this specific film is asking for. The screenplay is nothing to praise in comparison to many other horror films but that won’t take away from the elements that are really bringing the audience in for a film like this. Just don’t expect anything deeper to chew on. 

Does Roth’s new studio have a good first entry on their hands? Jimmy and Stiggs is the type of film that is bonkers, ridiculous, and completely unhinged. This is a wild neon-drenched bit of body horror alchemy. The practical effects are some of the best and campiest you will see in a while and Begos leans right in with the right tone for this unhinged film. There have been deeper and more layered horror films this year but few of them have this much fun that Begos stuffed into these 80-minutes of fever dream filmmaking. One day, Jimmy and Stiggs will be a midnight cult classic that will live on for many horror fans. That is for sure.