PLOT: A shitstorm of dangerous information sends out of labor filmmaker Jimmy spiraling into an uncontrolled bender by which he claims to have been kidnapped by aliens. Fearing they’ll come again, he contacts his outdated good friend Stiggs to assist him gear up for battle.
REVIEW: If there’s one horror film I’ve been wanting ahead to all 12 months, virtually inflicting me to bounce with pleasure, it’s Jimmy and Stiggs. Joe Begos‘ latest has always promised to be a splatterfest of epic proportions and, with Eli Roth’s Horror Part Studios buying it, all indicators pointed in the direction of a possible cult traditional. And I’m comfortable to say that it’s every little thing you’ll count on from it and extra, offering an absolute cacophony of chaos. I liked each minute of it.
Author/director Joe Begos stars as Jimmy Lang, an out-of-work filmmaker who’s within the midst of a cocaine and alcohol-fueled bender. He’s torpedoing all of his relationships, together with one along with his finest good friend and filmmaking associate, Stiggs. Within the midst of all this, he claims aliens are trying to abduct him, so he fights again. Teaming up with Stiggs, they produce extra neon-colored blood and carnage than I ever thought doable. Stuffed with paranoia and a darkish humorousness, there’s an power right here that solely appears to come back from the world of indie horror. And it helps to have that fantastic Begos dialogue transferring issues ahead.
That is the Joe Begos present in each sense of the phrase. He’s a triple risk: writing, directing, and starring because the lead of Jimmy and Stiggs. And he does a incredible job, actually encompassing the paranoia of a drug-fueled bender. I’ve all the time been a fan of his rapid-fire dialogue and really feel it’s each pure and heightened. Begos’ fashion isn’t for everyone however I’ve been round individuals who act precisely like him, so all of it feels pure. Christmas Bloody Christmas lead Riley Dandy seems because the voice of Jimmy’s girlfriend Lexi. It’s temporary however her and Begos have a very enjoyable dynamic. I additionally received a kick out of Matt Mercer (not the voice actor) as Stiggs, Jimmy’s former finest good friend, who’s on this mess with him. It’s not a big forged but it surely simply provides to the aesthetic.
The movie is bookended with among the finest POV camerawork I’ve ever witnessed, and actually helps to additional envelop the viewers into this world. And I actually liked the look of the aliens, which helps showcase how old skool they’re going with the FX. The truth that they’re puppets brings such a allure to every little thing. As a result of, regardless of them being small and a bit awkward, they nonetheless go away an impression when wanted and have this unusual, otherworldly presence. Capturing this on 16mm, mixed with the large lens, actually offers the movie a singular look.
Finally, the neon coloured madness was precisely what I wished from Jimmy and Stiggs, and it managed to provide me a lot and extra. The FX work is really unbelievable, harkening again to Dangerous Style and Lifeless Alive. There’s a human head splitting aside which will simply be probably the most spectacular impact I’ve ever witnessed. I genuinely do not know how they pulled it off so seamlessly. My solely actual mark towards Jimmy and Stiggs is that it simply type of ends and looks like we’re lacking out on some type of wrap-up. And, given the very mild runtime of solely 80 minutes, that solely provides to the sensation of shortage.
That is the primary main launch from Eli Roth‘s new Horror Section Studios, and if this is the kind of film’s they’re going to be releasing: signal me up! Equal components throwback and fashionable marvel, there’s such a uniqueness to this movie that few can obtain. This present day the place audiences are asking for unique work, you actually can’t go fallacious with Jimmy and Stiggs.
JIMMY AND STIGGS WILL RELEASE ON AUGUST 15TH, 2025. Tickets may be PURCHASED HERE!
