'The Toxic Avenger' Review: A Chaotic but Entertaining Reimagining of a Cult Classic
- Becca Johnson
- Aug 26, 2025
- 4 min read
By Becca Johnson - August 26, 2025
Infamous for its taboo topics and over-the-top violence, 1984’s The Toxic Avenger has become quite the cult B-movie classic over the last few years. Despite Macon Blair’s welcome reimagining premiering way back in 2023 at Fantastic Fest in the USA, this remake has taken almost two years to hit the big screens in the UK. The Toxic Avenger, stars Peter Dinklage (Wicked), Kevin Bacon (Friday the 13th), Jacob Tremblay (Room) and Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings) to name just a few.
What is the film The Toxic Avenger about?
The film follows downtrodden janitor Winston Goose (Dinklage), who, after a horrible toxic accident, transforms into a new evolution of hero: The Toxic Avenger. Now wielding a glowing mop with super-human strength, he must race against time to save his son and stop a ruthless power-hungry tyrant bent on harnessing toxic superpowers to strengthen his polluted empire.
With excellent performances and a similar punk-rock attitude to its predecessor, The Toxic Avenger puts wild action and gore at the forefront to create a batshit crazy viewing experience. However, with a few too many new ideas written in, much like the town it’s set up in, it feels rather polluted.
The Toxic Avenger takes a while to fully find its footing and get going. Whilst the first act is pivotal in developing our new set of characters and letting us know the evil that befalls the town, it feels much more convoluted and jam-packed than the original. The 1984 edition is quite simple - a health club janitor, bullied by its users, falls victim to an evil prank. This time around, it’s not quite as straight-forward, as corporate overlord Bob Garbinger (Bacon) and his many peers are just a couple of new ideas added in. Whilst this ensures more depth in terms of theme exploration and some wild action towards the final act, it also means the first act feels clunky, slow and too full. Fans are here for one thing - The Toxic Avenger and all the mayhem he brings - so it’s a little bit disappointing to see that he doesn’t get his transformation until half an hour into the movie, even if that does ensure we know him better as a person. There’s simply too much going on.
In terms of tone and content, The Toxic Avenger hits the nail on the head with not only matching the energy and ridiculousness of the original but adding some fresh ideas to warrant the new adaptation. It isn’t quite the boundary-pusher that the 1984 rendition is renowned for, but it certainly packs in the humour, much of which lands, and hits high on the silly scale. There’s not one scene within the run-time that doesn’t feel utterly ridiculous, but that’s exactly what the original emitted too.
The bright colour palette full of purples and greens and the raucous soundtrack give it that punky attitude that helps it stand out amongst the crowd. Also boasting gore and blood aplenty, horror fans should leave feeling satiated, and the effects used are pretty good all around, especially within the design of the titular character. Although goofy and wild, as it should be, it also has some deeper themes within the script that not only balance nicely with the comedy but give it an extra layer and ensure it delivers something worth taking away. Exploring grief, being a stepfather and knowing when to step in or stay out, there’s something worth noting if you’re looking for more than a rip-roaring time.
Bringing every element together perfectly is the cast, who all understood their wacky assignment. Peter Dinklage makes for the perfect Toxie, giving a layered performance as his human counterpart Winston Gooze, and a fantastic voice performance after the transformation happens. A vessel for much of the movie’s commentary on step-fatherhood, especially after loss, he hits the emotional beats well. Jacob Tremblay is a rising star we’ve all had our eyes on since his emotional turn in Lenny Abrahamson’s 2015 drama Room, and he continues his winning streak within The Toxic Avenger. Playing Stepson Wade, struggling with the loss of his mother, his relationship with his stepfather and the mental health issues that come with those strains, he nails every aspect of his character. Kevin Bacon really amps it up here as corporate overlord Garbinger, and although over-the-top, it undeniably suits the movie he’s starring in. When is Kevin Bacon not a delight? Despite minimal screen-time, Elijah Wood stands out (questionable appearance aside), and Taylour Paige (Zola) and Julia Davis (Gavin & Stacey) also deliver. The ensemble is an absolute riot.
Is the film The Toxic Avenger worth watching?
The Toxic Avenger is everything it should be - batshit crazy, entertaining, gory and action-packed - and somehow, much more. Macon Blair’s direction and writing is solid, as despite a slow start and perhaps a few too many ideas, he harnesses the energy of the original effortlessly. The performances are the cherry on top of what is a wild, crudely funny and fantastic ride. It’s not perfect, but it surely hit the brief.
'The Toxic Avenger' releases in cinemas August 29.
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