by Rosa Parra
“The Toxic Avenger” is written and directed by Macon Blair. This reboot of the 1980s dark CULT COMEDY stars Peter Dinklage as the Toxic Avenger, a janitor who becomes the Toxic Avenger after being exposed to a toxic accident. Jacob Tremblay plays his stepson, Wade, and their father-son dynamic is strained. Meanwhile, Taylour Paige portrays J.J., a character trying to uncover the disastrous toxicity left by a corporation led by Bob Garbinger, played by Kevin Bacon. Elijah Wood plays Bob’s younger brother, Fritz. After his accident, Winston becomes an unlikely hero, fighting off CEOs, gangsters, and freaks while trying to rescue his son from kidnappers.
The film has the aesthetic of a B-level indie underground gangster movie, despite the budget preventing it from being labeled as such. Its star-studded cast is a significant reason to check it out, but ultimately, it offers a welcome take on the superhero genre. It combines horror, gore, comedy, and satire while staying true to the superhero framework.
The performances were solid, considering the film’s style. Peter Dinklage was excellent—though we wouldn’t expect any less from an Emmy Award-winning actor. Taylour Paige was my favorite character; she provided unintentional humor and didn’t seem aware of her comedic talent. Despite the star-studded cast, everyone took their roles seriously, never undermining the absurdity of the dialogue. Kevin Bacon fully embraced his role as an overly ambitious, self-centered, corrupt CEO, while Elijah Wood played a frazzled younger brother reminiscent of Danny DeVito’s portrayal of the Penguin.
I can see this film being divisive due to its subject matter and graphic content, so it may not be for everyone. It is highly stylish and unapologetically gory, driven by a punk rock aesthetic that offers a refreshing take on the superhero genre.
It worked for me. I had a lot of fun watching it; it made me laugh (at moments I probably wasn’t supposed to) and even brought me to tears. While the father-son relationship could have been more developed, I didn’t mind the 90-minute runtime. Although their story lacks depth, it’s easy to care about Winston because he is a dad who simply wants to provide for his son. He may not be the bravest person, but he is good-hearted and genuinely means well.
Overall, “The Toxic Avenger” is a great movie worth seeking out. It’s unconventional within its genre, but sometimes we need a break from the conventional. The Toxic Avenger is a hero worth rooting for, especially as he takes on the greedy, corrupt elite.
Rating: 7/10.