They Call Me Jeeg

After a reckless brush with dangerous waste, Enzo, a small time thief in Rome, awakens a power that makes him superhumanly strong. He uses the gift to pull off petty schemes and stay ahead of trouble, a blunt force without a plan. Then he meets Alessia, a young woman who believes he is the Steel Jeeg hero from her favorite anime, a conviction that pulls him into a different orbit. The unlikely bond tests Enzo, forcing him to reckon with himself and the consequences of his strength as a life of convenience starts to crack under pressure. The tone blends grit with humor, and the action leans on street textures rather than glossy effects, giving the story a lived feel.

Directed by Gabriele Mainetti, the film is built from an original screenplay by Nicola Guaglianone and Menotti. Released in 2016, it marks a bold turn for Italian cinema, blending gritty crime storytelling with a superhero premise that feels unexpectedly fresh.

Worldwide box office reached $5,713,331, against a modest budget of $1.9 million, signaling solid returns for a script that pushes genre boundaries. Its earnings reflect strong appeal in international markets and a surprising appetite for Italian genre cinema worldwide today.

It stands out for marrying a gritty urban noir with a comic book vibe, turning an underground hero tale into a talking point in festival circuits and helping boost genre cinema's profile abroad. The look, practical effects and a fearless approach to genre earned admiration from fans and critics alike.

Critics praised the film for its kinetic energy, strong performances especially by Claudio Santamaria, and its blunt look at power and identity. The story foregrounds redemption and vulnerability while playing with the tension between myth and reality, offering a compact meditation on fame and responsibility for fans seeking something new.