The Toxic Avenger (2025) Review!!

Synopsis – A horrible toxic accident transforms downtrodden janitor, Winston Gooze into a new evolution of hero: The Toxic Avenger.

My Take – In an era where everything and anything has to get a remake/reboot, it is unsurprising that Hollywood finally turned its attention towards the 1984 cult B schlock horror superhero film centered on a mop-wielding 7-foot janitor in a tutu suffering from radiation poisoning.

A complete by-product of the great 80s, the film, created by Lloyd Kaufman and Troma Entertainment, was quickly and cheaply put together, but had a great deal of heart, and while it found itself to be accused of being in poor taste, it was also one of the many reasons why it generated a cult following, particularly as it spoke to the outcasts and misfits all around.

Spawning an army of sequels, a stage musical, a line of Marvel-backed comic books and most bizarrely of all, a Saturday morning kids animated TV series.

And while the remake struggled to find a distributor for two years after a producer deemed it un-releasable due to its graphic depictions and overall bizarre story-line, I am glad to voice that the released film is actually one hell of a goofy, grotesque, and gore-spattered utterly ridiculous experience.

Helmed by Macon Blair, the writer and director of Netflix’s I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore (2017), the remake does exactly what one should expect – honoring the spirit of the original, without soullessly recreating it. Taking the story in interesting new directions but never forgetting what made the property so iconic in the first place.

Yes, it requires a more voracious appetite than most as the superhero in question is the product of a person bleeding to death, reacting with a vat of toxic waste and a radioactive element and is, hence, a green blob of oozing liquids, bubbling warts, popping sockets and exposed veins, who wields a mop radioactively transformed as his super-weapon, yet the film is a riot.

With a cast truly committed to delivering the best film possible, the result is outrageous, intoxicating, brutal, gory, and hilarious. That will undoubtedly find its audience and become a minor cult classic, like its original.

Set in a scummy, old school alternate New Jersey, the story follows Winston Gooze (Peter Dinklage), a downtrodden janitor and a single step-father who is struggling to take care for his deceased wife’s son, Wade (Jacob Tremblay), who has issues connecting. But when Winston discovers he, too, is dying of brain cancer he turns towards his boss corrupt businessman Bob Garbinger (Kevin Bacon) for help when the company insurance denies him.

However, when he ends up mocking him, Winston attempts to steal the money but ends up accidentally crossing with former employee J.J. Doherty (Taylor Paige), who has also broken into the facility at the same time, to gather evidence to bring down the evil company whose chemicals have harmed her family.

Leading the hired killers that are hunting J.J. to accidentally kill Winston and dump his body into the chemical waste, where he is transformed into the Toxic Avenger (performed by Luisa Guerreiro), a mutated, super powered being and the city’s only hope against Bob, his assistant and romantic partner, Kissy Sturnvan (Julia Davis), and his brother, Fritz Garbinger (Elijah Wood).

From there on-wards, the story unfolds in a bizarre fashion, taking us through a string of witty, gruesome, and utterly eye-watering set pieces that showcase Toxie’s new powers. From his ability to heal bullet wounds to his radioactive mop, we experience events that only become more absurd as the film progresses.

Right from the beginning, it is clear this film is not aiming for any sense of realism. Everything is exaggerated for comedic effect, with many great audio gags that populate the world. Arms get pulled off, faces get wiped away in an instant by radioactive mops, and blood shoots out of everything. This gonzo, over-the-top, throw-everything-at-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks approach certainly might be off-putting to some and won’t be for everyone, but it perfectly captures the essence of Troma Entertainment’s original franchise.

That grossness is what gave the original its unabashed B-grade success. In these more politically correct times, some of that unabashed approach has to be toned down, and the story itself tweaked, but the film is astute enough to mock itself about it. The film also excels at sidestepping the superhero sandbox while still making a mockery of the genre at every turn.

There is a moment after Toxie saves a fast-food restaurant from a gang of crooks that takes Batman’s iconic rooftop pose and turns it on its head in brilliant fashion. The film is filled with humorous moments like this, which help keep things very engaging.

Sure, it does face a few challenges to bring fresh perspectives to the usual formula, and the film certainly is not nuanced, but it isn’t trying to be. It is painting with broad strokes, making big swings in both comedy and emotion. There is an interesting dichotomy at play, one that is anarchistic and rebellious but also very old-fashioned in its beliefs.

Performance wise, Peter Dinklage is an inspired choice. Having proven unique mastery of portraying characters on the verge of collapsing under the weight of misery. Bringing his usual charisma and confidence beneath a pile of self-deprecatory behavior. Jacob Tremblay is also quite effective and shares excellent chemistry with Dinklage.

Kevin Bacon excels as the B-villain hitting the right tones in his oily sliminess. Elijah Wood brings the deranged, creepy quality the film needs. Julia Davis truly shines in her role, showcasing her wit through clever one-liners and a dry British delivery. Taylor Paige is also good as probably the most grounded straight character of the lot. On the whole, ‘The Toxic Avenger‘ is a fun satirical superhero remake that delivers the promised gore, humor and heart.