When Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa arrived in 2013, plenty of people expected more of the same outrageous stunts that had defined the franchise for years. Instead, it delivered something surprisingly different. Directed by Jeff Tremaine and starring Johnny Knoxville alongside Jackson Nicoll, the film wraps its hidden-camera pranks around a simple road-trip story. The result is a comedy that still embraces the chaos fans expect while also finding room for genuine heart, making it one of the strongest entries under the Jackass name.
One of the funniest stops on Irving Zisman’s journey comes inside a bingo hall, where his outrageous behaviour leaves fellow players stunned while his grandson Billy wanders off in search of a replacement father. This scene brings back memories of everyone’s favourite bingo games but twists the familiar setting into something completely unpredictable. Rather than relying on elaborate stunts, the humour comes from the reactions of ordinary people who have no idea they are part of a movie, making the entire sequence feel authentic and wildly entertaining.
What really separates Bad Grandpa from previous Jackass films is its structure. Earlier entries were little more than collections of skits, but this time there is a clear narrative linking everything together. Irving is tasked with taking Billy across several states to reunite him with his unreliable father after Billy’s mother is sent back to prison. Along the way, almost every prank pushes the story forward, whether it’s a disastrous funeral, awkward encounters with strangers or complete mayhem at a wedding reception. It gives audiences a reason to care about the characters instead of simply waiting for the next joke.
Johnny Knoxville’s performance as Irving deserves special mention. Beneath hours of prosthetic makeup, he fully commits, creating a character who is outrageous yet oddly likeable, balancing physical comedy with emotional depth that surprises many viewers.
Jackson Nicoll is equally important to the film’s success. His chemistry with Knoxville feels completely natural, allowing the pair to bounce effortlessly between ridiculous situations and quieter scenes. Billy never feels like a sidekick simply tagging along. Instead, he becomes the emotional anchor that gives the comedy greater impact, especially as the unlikely bond between grandfather and grandson grows stronger throughout their journey.
The pranks themselves remain consistently funny without leaning too heavily on shock value. While there are still plenty of gross-out moments, they are used more sparingly than in previous Jackass outings. Many of the biggest laughs come from the reactions of unsuspecting members of the public, whose genuine confusion often proves funnier than the prank itself. Whether Irving is causing havoc in public spaces or embarrassing everyone around him, the comedy rarely feels forced.
Bad Grandpa stands out because it combines hidden-camera humour with a compelling story, memorable performances, and hilarious set pieces like the bingo hall scene. It remains one of the most distinctive films from the Jackass franchise, showing that outrageous comedy can also have depth.
