The Toxic Avenger Review: Very Far from Troma’s Original Cult Classic

Few cult films from the 1980s inspire the same mix of disgust and affection as The Toxic Avenger. A low-budget oddity that blended superhero parody with buckets of gore, it became Troma’s crown jewel and a midnight movie staple. Now, in 2025, the creature has risen again. Director Macon Blair’s reboot aims to honor the bizarre charm of the original while retooling it for a new age. The result is a film that is gleefully grotesque, often funny, and surprisingly thoughtful, though not without tonal whiplash.

– The new movie “The Toxic Avenger” is more of a tribute than a remake of the original 1984 superhero comedy by Troma Entertainment, and Troma fans may have high expectations that could be disappointed due to the difference in humor, tone and the movie’s delayed release.
– Directed by actor turned filmmaker, Macon Blair, the film goes beyond the typical violence and gross humor of the typical Troma film, instead creating a style more akin to his previous work in his blackly comedic noir thriller “I Don’t Feel At Home in This World Anymore” and some of his comic books.
– With a bigger budget and cast, the film tells a similar beginning story to the original, but deviates in its plot, focusing on the janitor Winston’s mutation into a green-skinned monster that fight against a corrupt public figure and his criminal rock group, but the use of CGI effects instead of practical effects may seem off-putting to some Troma fans.
– The humor of the film is dry and more low-key compared to the original, but manages to portray an excess of high-concept gags and jokes that leave the movie feeling lively and mischievous.
– While the point of the remake may be unclear due to its deviation from the original, it still captures the spirit of Troma’s DIY sensibility and serves as a unique tribute to the original film.

At its core, The Toxic Avenger is still the story of a meek outcast who suffers a terrible accident and becomes a mutated anti-hero. This time around, that outcast is Winston Gooze, played by Peter Dinklage. Instead of a wimpy gym janitor, Winston is a down-on-his-luck father struggling to provide for his son in a town choked by corruption. After a brush with toxic waste, he transforms into the hideously deformed Toxic Avenger. Dinklage brings an unexpected pathos to the role, balancing the absurd visuals with emotional sincerity. He gives the film a beating heart underneath all the slime.

On the villainous side, Kevin Bacon chews scenery as Bob Garbinger, the corporate overlord responsible for much of the town’s suffering. Bacon is clearly having a blast, turning his character into a cartoonishly greedy executive who is equal parts hilarious and hateful. His scenes ground the satire, reminding viewers that this film is not just about outrageous gore but also about lampooning unchecked capitalism.

The supporting cast adds plenty of personality. Jacob Tremblay, as Winston’s son, gives the film some sweetness, while Taylour Paige provides toughness and spark as a local ally. Elijah Wood pops up in a nearly unrecognizable role, adding to the film’s roster of eccentricities. These performances keep the film lively, even when the script occasionally meanders.

Stylistically, Blair embraces the camp roots of the original. The effects are intentionally over-the-top, with exploding heads, exaggerated prosthetics, and fountains of blood that push into comedy rather than horror. It is not meant to be realistic. Instead, the violence is so extreme that it circles back to absurd entertainment. Sadly, in an era where CGI dominates, the reliance on practical gore is few and far between.

Beyond the blood and guts, the film makes an effort to update its themes. The Toxic Avenger is framed less as a freak accident of fate and more as a reluctant champion of the downtrodden. The satire skewers corporate greed, economic disparity, and environmental negligence. At times, this heavier commentary lands well, giving the movie more weight than its grindhouse origins. At other times, it clashes with the sillier tone, creating a bit of tonal confusion. It is hard to balance heartfelt social commentary with slapstick violence, and The Toxic Avenger does not always pull it off smoothly.

Another area where the film struggles is pacing. The first act, in particular, takes too long to get to the transformation, bogged down by setup that feels unnecessary for a film of this type. Once Winston becomes Toxic, the movie kicks into high gear, but there are still stretches where the energy dips. Fans looking for nonstop chaos may find themselves restless.

Still, there is a lot to admire here. The film is unapologetic in its weirdness, unafraid to gross you out or make you laugh at something outrageous. It feels handcrafted for midnight audiences and cult enthusiasts, people who want something messy, funny, and politically pointed all at once.

The Toxic Avenger (2025) is not perfect, but it succeeds at being exactly what it sets out to be: a cult movie reborn for modern times. It honors its roots with camp and gore while adding just enough contemporary bite to keep it relevant. It will not convert those who never liked the original, but for the right audience, it is a filthy, slimy joyride. This reboot may stumble at times, but it proves there is still life, and plenty of toxic sludge, in one of cinema’s strangest superheroes.

RATING: 3.5 out of 5 stars

The Toxic Avenger is in theaters on August 29th, 2025.