The Toxic Avenger (2023)

What is The Toxic Avenger About?

The Toxic Avenger is a remake of a trash film classic. Peter Dinklage stars as Winston Gooze, a widowed janitor who finds himself transformed into a new kind of hero! After being exposed to toxic sludge, he becomes a hideously mutated but incredibly strong monster, and he’s hungry for justice. 

With his trusty toxic mop, he fights ruthless corporate overlords and corrupt businessmen, all while hoping for a cure. The world is not ready for the Toxic Avenger!

Our Honest Review Of The Toxic Avenger

The original Toxic Avenger movie was a low-brow, gory B-movie that understood exactly what it was. And the best way to pay homage to it is with an even more low-brow, gory B-movie!

This movie is bloodier than an explosion in a butcher’s shop and sillier than an Adam Sandler marathon. It’s a film that wants you to have the best possible time, and we loved it! Peter Dinklage is a hoot as the downtrodden everyman who becomes a mop-wielding vigilante, and Kevin Bacon and Elijah Wood could only be hammier if they were honey-glazed. 

It’s not big or clever, but we had a wild evening in with The Toxic Avenger. Get your mates round, order some beer and pizza, and put this movie on.

What Do the Critics Think of The Toxic Avenger?

Critics enjoyed The Toxic Avenger and praised its schlocky, fun-first approach. It holds an 87% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. 

• “This enthusiastic revival of the 1984 original ups the tech values and adds a recognisable cast without sacrificing the original’s ick factor… No learning, no hugs, just schlock and awe.” – Thelma Adams, AARP Movies For Grownups.

• “Whether poking at superhero cliches (there’s a choice post-credit scene) or trying to be kill-clever, it’s all in dopey, gruesome fun.” – Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times. 

• “A heartwarming, horrifically violent homage to the most lovable dreck ever produced outside of the studio system.” – William Bibbiani, The Wrap.
  
• “The new revival of the same name has a far more assured hold on its sensibility, offering a modernised gonzo spoof that is a bit bloodier, a bit funnier and far more confident in its silliness.” – Brandon Yu, New York Times.
  
• “This movie is trashy and amusing rather than full-bore hilarious and the schlocky self-mockery wears thin at times. The effects are resolutely lo-fi, though, which is rather endearing in this age of CGI-splurges — and Dinklage and Bacon are a riot.” – Ed Potton, The Times. 

What Awards and Nominations did The Toxic Avenger Receive?

At present, we can’t find any awards or nominations for The Toxic Avenger. It is listed on IMDB for a Best Of Nollywood award, but we suspect this was attached to the wrong film (those awards are for Nigerian films). We imagine it’ll pick up nominations for:

• Best Director at the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards.
  
  
• Best Lead Performance at the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards. 
  
  
• Best Creature FX at the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards. 

Director & Cast of The Toxic Avenger

Fun Facts About The Toxic Avenger

• The two men seen arguing in the hospital are Macon Blair and Lloyd Kaufman. Kaufman directed the original The Toxic Avenger movies.

• This film reunites Macon Blair and Elijah Wood, who starred in I Don’t Feel At Home In This World Anymore. 

• There were plans for a remake of The Toxic Avenger as far back as 2013. At one point, Arnold Schwarzenegger was attached to star, but he dropped out to focus on Terminator: Genisys (2015).  

• The film was adapted into a graphic novel by Legendary Comics. 

• Every character listed in the credits has their role in the story next to their name. These include The Hero for Peter Dinklage, The Kid for Jacob Tremblay, The Wild Card for Taylour Dougherty, and The Villain for Kevin Bacon.

Themes of The Toxic Avenger

The Toxic Avenger is a silly film, but it’s rooted in serious themes. Medical debt ruins the lead character’s life, and the villains are corrupt businessmen who chase profits at the expense of people. The film’s central theme is of a regular Joe fighting against a world where greed runs everything.

Alongside this, there are also themes of family and redemption. Winston and his stepson have a fraught relationship, and both are grieving. Wade has little respect for Winston, but gradually comes to appreciate him for who he is, or at least he does when he starts killing people with a toxic mop.  

How Does The Toxic Avenger Compare to Macon Blair’s Other Work?

The Toxic Avenger is only Macon Blair’s second film, but there are already a few recurring tropes in his work. His previous film – 2017’s I Don’t Feel At Home In This World Anymore – focused on a nursing assistant who wasn’t too far removed from Peter Dinklage’s downtrodden janitor. Both characters were relatively meek and unassuming and were at odds with an indifferent world full of corruption and stupidity. 

Granted, Melanie Lynskey’s Ruth didn’t wind up coated in toxic sludge and transformed into a mutant superhero, but she and Winston would probably find a lot in common. The two movies each feature repeated scenes of violence and humour, although The Toxic Avenger takes it to a more extreme level. If you enjoy this movie, we’d highly recommend seeking out Macon Blair’s previous one. 

Iconic Scenes from The Toxic Avenger

Behind-the-Scenes Trivia

• You may be disappointed to know that Peter Dinklage isn’t actually in full makeup as Toxie. The physical role was performed by actress Luisa Guerreiro, who director Macon Blair described as “a total bad ass.” She impersonated Peter Dinklage when reading her lines, then Dinklage himself re-recorded them later. Or, to put it another way, it’s Peter Dinklage doing an impersonation of Luisa Guerreiro doing an impersonation of Peter Dinklage.

• The filmmakers used practical effects for Toxie’s appearance. This included 30 pounds of foam makeup and numerous motors to handle the physical expressions.

• The film got its first public screening at Fantastic Fest in 2023, but had trouble securing a distributor due to the onscreen violence. It wasn’t until Cineverse acquired the distribution rights in 2025 that it finally got a full release.
  
• In keeping with the themes of corruption in the medical insurance industry, Cineverse partnered with the non-profit Undue Medical Debt and redirected $5 million of the marketing budget to pay off medical debt.

What’s the Soundtrack Like for The Toxic Avenger?

The soundtrack consists of several original pieces composed by Will and Brooke Blair, alongside a few pop songs. It opens with The Good Things by The Whoopsie Dews, an upbeat slice of sunshine that seems deliberately chosen to contrast with the downbeat nature of the film’s introduction.

From there, it moves into orchestral instrumentals and does a good job at setting the tone. The instrumentals and the pop songs jar a little, but it’s an atmospheric and engaging listen.

Best Quotes from The Toxic Avenger

• “No! No parkour!” – Fritz hates free running.

• “He’s an ugly son of a bitch.” – The Wise Hobo describes Toxie.

• “Summon the Nutz.” – Fritz Garbinger calls for backup from his gang.

• “You’re saying that this corporation would knowingly poison their own customers, just to boost their profit margins?” – Winston questions J.J. about her theories.

• “Just a guy with a mop!” – Winston is no hero, but he does have cleaning equipment.
  

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