The reboot of Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz’s 1984 splatter film The Toxic Avenger has been in the works since 2010 and was passed around to countless creatives. However, it’s hard to imagine The Toxic Avenger of today in the hands of anyone but director and writer Macon Blair, who clearly understands and loves the grimy filmmaking that made the original a cult classic.
The new film follows Winston Gooze (Peter Dinklage), a timid janitor employed at a mega company selling bogus health products. Following a troubling diagnosis, Winston’s pleas for help to CEO Bob Garbinger (Kevin Bacon) are rudely rejected, leading to an absurd chain of events that cause Winston to be dumped into the toxic sludge that the supposedly environmentally friendly company produces. He is mutated into someone unrecognizable, but he is given the ability to take on corporate greed, fight against a rock band of assassins and their manager (Elijah Wood), and connect with his stepson (Jacob Tremblay).
While The Toxic Avenger has many imperfections, it leans into its limitations to make something greater than the sum of its parts. It’s like watching a fever dream, in the best possible way, thanks to a creative script and strong leading performances.
The Toxic Avenger tries to balance twisted humor with high emotional stakes
The parts of this film that are the most bonkers are the parts that make it work so well. From the jump, the jumpy editing, shockingly bright colors, and cartoonish depiction of a screaming Dinklage let us know what we are in for. The manic energy only escalates, often dropping absurd jokes or characters when we least expect them.
One of my favorite elements of this film is Killer Nutz, a punk rock band (“monster core,” as Wood’s character claims) that moonlights as assassins for Bob Garbinger. Every moment with them on screen was a delight as they escalated each appearance with some new, strange detail. When they inevitably have to face off with the Toxic Avenger, I couldn’t help but feel a bit bad for them.
All of the lead acting performances also hold the film together—it’s clear that everyone understood their assignment and was eager to deliver. Dinklage shines as a man at the end of his rope who also cannot help but try to stay quiet. He takes Winston through a well-earned journey to confidence and the belief that he can make a difference. Bacon is delightful as the vapid, soulless villain who preens in the mirror as he callously throws his customers, employees, and family under the bus. Wood is also a scene stealer as Killer Nutz’s manager and Bob’s brother—he really leans into his ability to play weird little gremlin characters.
However, humor and gore are perhaps essential to the success or failure of The Toxic Avenger. The gore is probably the most beneficial part of this reboot. It’s placed prominently without being overwhelming or feeling too excessive, which is a difficult balance to reach in a splatter film (and could be an issue for Troma Entertainment loyalists). It’s also silly and cheesy fun, whether it’s someone’s scalp being bitten off or the brutal results of Winston’s mutation.
Unfortunately, the humor is a bit inconsistent. There are many times that the humor grinds the film to a halt rather than keeping up the momentum. While Taylour Paige gives an excellent performance as a young woman looking for revenge, she is also saddled with some of the least funny jokes and sequences, which misuse her talents. Of course, there are still big laughs throughout - there are biting jokes about the so-called wellness industry, hilarious delivery from Dinklage and Bacon, and a payoff for an early joke about dancing that truly delighted me.
Ultimately, The Toxic Avenger is a gleeful throwback that fans of the genre will have a great time with (though it may not reach a wider audience). When asked why he stepped in to save people from harm, the Toxic Avenger says that sometimes, someone just has to do something. It’s this sentiment that is worth holding onto by the film’s conclusion, making this franchise worth returning to again and again.