‘Jimmy & Stiggs’ Trailer Welcomes the First Mind-Melting Splatterfest To Come From Eli Roth’s The Horror Section [Exclusive]

When Eli Roth decided to create his own production company, The Horror Section, he didn’t have the work of other filmmakers on his mind. But, all of that would change when X trilogy director, Ti West, reached out to ask him if he had seen Joe Begos’ latest project, Jimmy and Stiggs. What happened next fully shifted Roth’s perspective on just how much he could showcase with The Horror Section and led him to utilize the title as the production company’s kick-off. Today, Collider is thrilled to unveil the exclusive first look at the trailer for Jimmy and Stiggs, and also share an interview we conducted with Roth about The Horror Section, Jimmy and Stiggs, and his upcoming slate.

According to Roth, when West first approached him with Begos’ latest bonkers feature, the MaXXXine helmer described it as “‘insane, like old school Peter Jackson and early Sam Raimi.’” And, as viewers will see in today’s trailer, West’s explanation couldn’t be more on point. Those who are familiar with the director’s previous works, such as Christmas Bloody Christmas and Bliss, will already know his keen eye for explosive graphics and neon-colored visuals. The story centers around one man’s (Begos) beef with a group of extraterrestrial beings and the neon-soaked blood, guts, and gore fest to follow.

Jimmy and Stiggs isn’t just a love letter to the genre classics that came before it, it also goes to show just how crucial crafting the perfect feature was for Begos. As Roth told us, “It took four years for Joe to make the film, and he had to live in that state” — which is truly unbelievable after screening the teaser. Comparing it to the aforementioned classic, Raimi’s Evil Dead, he continued:

“We all look at the first Evil Dead and picture Bruce Campbell covered in blood and them making it for almost a year, and then I learned that Joe spent four years on and off making the film and he had to live covered in that goo. It’s remarkable. In the same way we saw those shots on the motorcycle in Evil Dead and had no idea how they did them, Joe does something similar in Jimmy and Stiggs. There were shots in the movie I truly had never seen before, and had no idea how he pulled off, especially shooting on 16mm film. The camerawork and art direction and overall direction is so wildly inventive you watch this movie in awe and just get lost in the insanity of it. It’s almost like he made a horror movie with Gaspar Noe operating the camera.

What’s most amazing is that the neighbors never complained, in four years of making this movie. I mean, he’s running a live chainsaw in his apartment and no one said anything because they were so used to the parties Joe threw they were like ‘Eh, it’s just Joe.’ No one knew he was making a film. It’s total gonzo filmmaking, and the end product is fantastic. The last shot is so fantastic it’s something I have never seen in a movie before, it’s brilliant.”

How ‘Jimmy & Stiggs’ Became The Horror Section’s Debut Project

Roth explains that Jimmy and Stiggs serving as The Horror Section’s debut “wasn’t planned,” adding “producing other people’s movies wasn’t really on my radar.” Initially, the Cabin Fever helmer’s first movie under the banner was going to be the upcoming Ice Cream Man, which is slated for a release in 2026. However, that all changed when he feasted his eyes on Begos’ bonkersly lovely and horrific movie, explaining:

“Then I saw [Jimmy and Stiggs] and I was so floored by what he did, I called up the team at Iconic and said ‘Can we get this in theaters this summer?’ Once the idea was in my head it just made perfect sense. I realized that now with our new label I can distribute these incredible films, wide, in theaters for fans to experience with a screaming crowd on the big screen, unrated. I also liked the idea of people who have never seen a low budget 16mm insane splatterfest just walking in thinking it’s some normal movie and having their minds melted. I remember renting Street Trash on VHS and thinking I had never seen anything like it. Jimmy and Stiggs has that same energy and insanity, and then once I learned how Joe pulled it off, it made me love the movie even more.”

Now that he’s on the lookout for movies from other filmmakers, we asked Roth what types of projects will catch his eye as a must-have for The Horror Section. At the top of his list is “authenticity” — a passion that “you just cannot fake.” Further elaborating, Roth said:

“The person who made truly loves the film and the genre and went for it, or they’re just making a movie for a paycheck. Now, there are plenty of great movies that the director made for a paycheck, don’t get me wrong, but for The Horror Section I want to spotlight filmmakers who risked everything. Joe was completely in credit card debt making this movie and he never gave up. He’d shoot until he ran out of money, then he’d raise some money, and shoot some more until he ran out of money and do it again on and off for four years.”

Roth also nods to the “it takes a village” mentality when it comes to how Begos was able to get Jimmy and Stiggs off the ground, continuing:

“He got his crew to commit to helping him all that time, and they stuck with him. One week it was all horror directors helping him as his crew. It’s that kind of passion, dedication and love for the genre that really resonates with me. It’s how I am every time I make a horror movie. I set out to make a classic every time, no matter what, nothing else matters, and Joe’s the same way. It’s always hard to make a movie, but it’s easier when you have money to do it and studio support. But what’s most difficult is pulling it off for no money. I’ve seen plenty of movies where people try and they don’t quite hit the mark, but Joe really sticks the landing and the film transcends its limitations. It just becomes a great film, not a great low budget film. Those are the films that hit me and I think hit all horror fans in that deep emotional place where you’re just so happy the movie exists and you can’t wait to share it with your friends. That’s what I look for — is this the kind of movie I’m so psyched to watch that I want to tell all my friends about it? It’s that simple.”

What Else Does Eli Roth Have Cooking?

If you were looking for production updates about other titles under Roth’s belt, like the Veronica Ferres-led Final Cut, he admits that not much can be said at this time. When it comes to that particular movie, Roth admitted, “Got a few others I want to shoot first, but I’m lining it up. Very very very excited about it.” And, don’t worry Thanksgiving fans, we wouldn’t leave you starved for information about the sequel. Of that, Roth got punny, sharing:

“I’m still in the kitchen. Got something really fun cooking and guests have been invited. It’s more a matter of scheduling everyone right now, but we are excited for the next course. Okay, no more food puns, just hang in there, it’ll be worth the wait.”

Check out Collider’s exclusive first look at the trailer for Jimmy & Stiggs above and see it in cinemas on August 15.

Jimmy & Stiggs

Release Date

October 4, 2024

Runtime

80 minutes

Director

Joe Begos

Producers

Matt Mercer, Josh Ethier, Sierra Russell

Cast

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  Matt Mercer

  Stiggs Randolph

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