A Film directed by Macon Blair
As a kid, I would often watch the USA Network, which at the time was a very edgy channel geared toward Generation X viewers. They regularly showed schlocky B-movies under the banner of USA Up All Night, a show hosted by Rhonda Shear and Gilbert Gottfried. That show probably helped me develop my love for “bad movies,” alongside Mystery Science Theater 3000, and you better believe I saw some stuff well above my age demographic. Movies like The Class of Nuke ’Em High, Bikini Car Wash, and, of course, the 1984 classic The Toxic Avenger. I remember catching what was probably the heavily edited version of it, but I absolutely loved how ridiculous it was. The sequels seemed to get worse as they went along, veering into being far more mean-spirited, but I still have great memories of watching them. When a new version was announced a few years back, I was both excited and skeptical. Remakes are always a gamble, and the idea of remaking a Troma film sounded especially risky, but I wanted to support it either way – and I’m glad I did.
“A janitor becomes a social outcast when a freak accident at a chemical factory turns him into a mutant. However, he soon uses his newfound superhuman strength to battle slimy criminals and a corrupt CEO.”
Macon Blair’s take on The Toxic Avenger finally hit theaters on August 29 after years of being called “too out there” and “unreleasable.” Despite good reception at festivals as far back as 2023, the film lacked a distributor until Cineverse and Iconic Events stepped in to save the day. This isn’t a straight remake of the 1984 film, but it shares many of the same themes and story beats. Peter Dinklage stars as janitor Winston Gooze, who, after a freak toxic accident, mutates into a grotesque but oddly heroic figure armed with a deadly irradiated mop and a mission for revenge against the corporation responsible for his transformation.
The cast leans into the absurdity perfectly. Alongside Dinklage, Kevin Bacon, Jacob Tremblay, and Taylour Paige all deliver, but it’s Elijah Wood who steals the show as Fritz Garbinger, an Igor-like, sickly, grotesque henchman who runs his brother’s corporate security office. His squad doubles as a rap/metal band that feels like it would’ve toured with Insane Clown Posse. The film thrives because it embraces the weird, gross, and satirical without dipping into some of the more questionable excesses that plagued Troma’s 90s output.
There’s no shortage of over-the-top gore, biting commentary on corporate greed, and some impressive practical effects. For a film that was probably made on the cheap, it looks really good. And for those worried by the “Unrated” label and the “unreleasable” marketing hook – it’s honestly not that shocking. It’s gory and outrageous, sure, but no more extreme than something like the Terrifier films. In fact, those are probably far worse.
One of the most unique aspects of this release is its tie-in to real-world charity. Rather than spending big on marketing, the studio partnered with the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt and pledged to erase at least $5 million in medical debt. On top of that, for every $1 million the movie grosses, another $1 million in debt will be wiped away. This ties perfectly into Winston’s story, since before his toxic transformation he’s burdened by illness, medical bills, and financial stress. It’s a clever, meaningful way to connect the character’s plight to real-life struggles faced by many viewers.
The Toxic Avenger won’t be for everyone. Its grotesque visuals and unapologetic weirdness might overwhelm casual audiences, but fans of horror comedy and cult cinema will find plenty to love. It delivers on the gore, the laughs, and even manages to sneak in a strange sort of heart beneath all the slime. The years of delays, the “unreleasable” stigma, and the charity angle all add to its oddball legacy. Whether you come for mutant mayhem, satire, or curiosity, it feels like a release worth the wait. And while it’s unlikely to hit the absurd box office milestone that would greenlight “The Toxic Avenger vs. Dracula,” (as promised in the credits) I can’t help but hope we get another one – because this was a blast.