The Toxic Avenger (2023) is outrageously violent, darkly funny, and far more heartfelt than you’d expect.
Cult cinema gets a radioactive revival with The Toxic Avenger, an unrated superhero black comedy directed and written by Macon Blair. A reboot of the 1984 Troma classic created by Lloyd Kaufman, this fifth installment in the franchise updates the grotesque antihero for a modern audience — without losing its splatter-soaked identity.
Led by Peter Dinklage, the film blends slapstick absurdity, corporate satire and emotional father-son drama into one chaotic package.
The Toxic Avenger (2023)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | The Toxic Avenger (Unrated) |
| Release Premiere | September 21, 2023 (Fantastic Fest) |
| Wide Release | August 29, 2025 (US & UK) |
| Director | Macon Blair |
| Screenplay | Macon Blair |
| Based On | The Toxic Avenger (1984) by Lloyd Kaufman |
| Production Companies | Legendary Pictures, Troma Entertainment |
| Distributed By | Cineverse, Iconic Events Releasing |
| Runtime | 102 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box Office | $3.4 million |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 86% (Positive Reviews) |
| Metacritic | 65/100 (Generally Favorable) |
Plot Summary
In The Toxic Avenger (2023), Winston Gooze is a struggling janitor working at a corrupt pharmaceutical company, BTH (Body Talk Healthstyle). A widower trying to support his stepson Wade, Winston faces mounting financial and medical challenges — including a deadly brain disease.
After a confrontation with the company’s ruthless leadership — led by corrupt businessman Bob Garbinger (Kevin Bacon) — Winston is killed and dumped into toxic waste. Instead of dying, he mutates into a grotesque but powerful vigilante.
Now reborn as The Toxic Avenger, Winston sets out to expose corporate corruption, rescue his kidnapped stepson and dismantle a criminal network involving mobsters, mercenaries and a gang known as The Killer Nutz.
The story escalates into outrageous violence, mutated villains and satirical jabs at corporate greed — all while maintaining an emotional core centered on family.
Cast & Performances
Peter Dinklage as Winston Gooze / The Toxic Avenger
Dinklage delivers one of his most physically transformative performances. He balances tragic vulnerability with absurd comedic timing. While Luisa Guerreiro performs in the Toxie suit, Dinklage’s voice work adds personality and pathos.
Kevin Bacon as Bob Garbinger
Bacon plays the slick, morally bankrupt CEO with gleeful menace. His eventual transformation into a mutated villain pushes the film into pure comic-book madness.
Elijah Wood as Fritz Garbinger
Wood leans fully into eccentric villain territory, adding unpredictable energy to the story.
Taylour Paige as J.J. Doherty
A whistleblower determined to expose BTH, Paige provides grounding and emotional weight amid the chaos.
Jacob Tremblay as Wade
Wade represents the film’s heart — the emotional anchor that gives Winston’s monstrous transformation meaning.
Direction & Style
Macon Blair embraces Troma’s anarchic tone while modernizing it.
- Heavy use of practical gore effects
- Cartoonish yet disturbing violence
- Environmental and anti-capitalist satire
- Emotional father-son subplot
The film walks a tightrope between grotesque slapstick and genuine sentiment. Surprisingly, it works.
Box Office & Reception
Despite strong reviews, The Toxic Avenger (2023) grossed $3.4 million worldwide — modest for a superhero reboot.
Critical Response:
- Rotten Tomatoes: 86% positive
- Metacritic: 65/100
Critics praised its commitment to outrageous gore and practical effects while noting that its tone may not appeal to everyone.
Graphic Novel Adaptation
A graphic novel adaptation of The Toxic Avenger (2023) was released on September 2, 2025, by Legendary Comics, expanding the reboot’s cult appeal beyond cinema.
What Works
Bold, unapologetic tone
Strong central performance from Peter Dinklage
Practical effects over CGI
Sharp corporate satire
Surprisingly emotional finale
What Doesn’t
Excessive gore may alienate mainstream audiences
Tonal shifts can feel abrupt
Limited box office impact despite critical praise
Final Verdict
The Toxic Avenger (2023) is not subtle. It is not restrained. And it absolutely does not play it safe.
But that’s precisely its strength.
This reboot respects its cult origins while injecting modern social commentary and genuine emotional stakes. It may not break box office records, but it succeeds as a daring, proudly grotesque piece of superhero satire.