I watched Jimmy and Stiggs (2024) in theaters last night. The storyline follows Jimmy, an out-of-work filmmaker who believes he's been abducted by aliens-and fears they'll return to finish what they started. Reunited with Stiggs, an old friend he'd previously fallen out with, the two must face the aliens together, prove Jimmy's story is real, and try not to get abducted again...
This movie is written, directed by, and stars Joe Begos (Christmas Bloody Christmas). It also features Matt Mercer (Contracted), Josh Ethier (Bliss), and Riley Dandy (Christmas Bloody Christmas).
The film reminded me a lot of Breeders, only with a bigger budget and slicker cinematography. As with every Joe Begos project I've seen, the use of color and camera work is fantastic. The blacklight effects in particular were striking and gave the film a cool visual identity. The concept had strong potential, though the nonstop bickering between the two friends grew tiresome-especially given the dire circumstances they were in.
The special effects were a mixed bag. Some moments worked well, while others fell flat. The aliens themselves were among the weakest I've seen on screen, though the variety of weapons and the over-the-top blood sprays-human and alien alike-were fun. The chainsaw sequence, however, didn't hit as it should have. I was also on the fence about the first-person POV elements. That said, the abduction sequences were intense, and I did enjoy the conclusion.
In conclusion, Jimmy and Stiggs is a unique entry in the horror genre, with some elements that land better than others. I'd score it a 5.5/10 and recommend it if you're looking for something different.