Where to Watch: The Toxic Avenger hits theaters in the UK and US on August 29, 2025, with limited releases in Australia starting August 25. Check streaming platforms like Shudder for future VOD drops.

Who’s It For: Fans of Troma, 80s B-movies, horror-comedy, and gory superhero flicks. Not for those seeking deep plots or high art.
Pro Tip: Don’t watch sober (unless you’re staying healthy, in which case woooow, look at you!). Skip if you’re sober or expect a decent flick.

A Gory, Goofy Mess Best Enjoyed with Booze and Buddies

If you’re looking for a cinematic masterpiece, The Toxic Avenger (2025) ain’t it. This reboot of the 1984 Troma cult classic tries to recapture the low-budget, over-the-top schlock that made the original a staple of late-night VHS binges, but it stumbles more than it sticks the landing.

Directed by Macon Blair and starring Peter Dinklage as the titular toxic hero, this film is a chaotic blend of gore, camp, and heart that’s too uneven to love sober. Grab a six-pack, some rowdy friends, and a low bar for entertainment, and you might just have a blast with this gloriously dumb remake. Here’s our Heavy Metal Citadel take on why The Toxic Avenger is a miss but still worth a drunken watch.

A Toxic Tale Reborn

For those new to the Toxic Avenger lore, the story follows Winston Gooze (Peter Dinklage), a down-on-his-luck janitor in the grimy, polluted St. Romaville. Working for a shady corporation run by sleazy CEO Bob Garbinger (Kevin Bacon, chewing scenery like it’s jerky), Winston’s life is a parade of misery: a dead wife, a troubled stepson (Jacob Tremblay), and a terminal brain condition. When a desperate heist goes wrong, Winston takes a dip in a vat of toxic waste, emerging as a grotesque, super-strong hero wielding a glowing mop. Cue bloody vengeance, environmentalist vibes, and enough camp to fill a landfill.

This reboot keeps the spirit of Troma’s low-budget anarchy but polishes it with a bigger budget and a star-studded cast. Elijah Wood pops up as a creepy henchman, Taylour Paige plays a fiery whistleblower, and the whole thing feels like a love letter to 80s B-movies. But does it work? Well, kinda.

What Works: Gore, Giggles, and Dinklage’s Heart

Let’s start with the good. Peter Dinklage is the beating, oozing heart of this flick. He plays Winston with a sincerity that grounds the absurdity, making you root for the guy even when he’s ripping arms off with a mop. His hangdog charm carries the film through its rough patches, and you can tell he’s having fun diving into this weird world.

Kevin Bacon, meanwhile, is a delight as the cartoonishly evil Bob Garbinger, strutting around like a villain from a Saturday morning cartoon. The supporting cast, including Elijah Wood’s bizarre turn as a metalhead goon (not that kinda goon), adds to the chaotic energy.

The gore is another high point. The Toxic Avenger doesn’t skimp on the splatter, delivering buckets of blood, flying limbs, and creative kills that would make Troma’s Lloyd Kaufman proud (he even cameos!).

Practical effects shine in scenes of cartoonish violence, like a toilet bowl turned weapon or acidic pee attacks, that hit that sweet spot of gross and hilarious. If you’re into over-the-top horror-comedy, these moments are pure gold, especially with a crowd egging it on.

The film’s campy tone and 80s B-movie vibes are spot-on for fans of the original. It’s packed with nods to Troma’s universe, from absurd humor to environmental undertones, making it feel like a true Toxic Avenger flick, just with better production values. It’s the kind of movie that knows it’s silly and leans into it, which is perfect for a rowdy movie night.

What Doesn’t: Pacing, Plot, and Pointlessness

Here’s the rub: The Toxic Avenger is a mess. The pacing is all over the place, dragging in the second act with a story that feels like it’s making itself up as it goes. Macon Blair’s script tries to balance heartfelt drama with Troma’s signature insanity, but it often feels like two movies fighting for screen time. The emotional beats, Winston’s bond with his stepson, his terminal illness, clash awkwardly with the slapstick gore, leaving you unsure whether to laugh or wince.

The plot is thin as a paper towel, recycling the same “underdog becomes hero” beats as every other superhero flick, without much fresh to say. It’s not satire or spoof enough to skewer the genre, nor scary enough to work as horror. The comedy lands about half the time, some gags are laugh-out-loud funny, others fall flat or drag on too long. At nearly two hours, the film feels bloated, lacking the brisk, no-filler energy of Troma’s best.

The CG effects are another sore spot. While the practical gore is stellar, some digital bits look cheap and break the B-movie charm. And despite the star power, not every actor gets to shine, Taylour Paige’s whistleblower feels underused, and Jacob Tremblay’s stepson subplot goes nowhere fast.

Why It’s a Miss (But Still Fun Drunk)

The Toxic Avenger wants to be a cult classic but doesn’t quite get there. It’s too polished to match the raw, unhinged vibe of the original, yet too sloppy to stand out in today’s crowded superhero/horror landscape. It’s neither as anarchic as Troma’s finest nor sharp enough to reinvent the wheel. For every moment of gory genius, there’s a stretch of clunky dialogue or aimless plotting that makes you check your watch.

But here’s the thing: crack open a few beers, invite your loudest friends, and this movie transforms into a riot. The absurdity, the blood-soaked action, and the sheer what-the-hell energy make it perfect for a group watch where no one’s taking it seriously. It’s the kind of film where you cheer when a head gets crushed or laugh when a mop becomes a deadly weapon. It’s dumb, it’s messy, and it’s a blast if you’re in the right mood (and blood-alcohol level).

HMC Verdict

The Toxic Avenger is a flawed reboot that can’t match the raw charm of the 1984 original or carve out a fresh niche. Its pacing issues, thin story, and hit-or-miss humor make it a miss for serious viewing. But with Dinklage’s heart, Bacon’s villainy, and enough gore to fill a toxic waste dump, it’s a wild ride for a boozy movie night with friends. It’s not the hero we need, but it’s the sloppy, bloody mess we deserve for a laugh-filled evening.

The Toxic Avenger (2025) Review