The Toxic Avenger Unrated is a superhero movie with a difference – in this case the central character is a down on his luck janitor who gets dumped in a vat of industrial waste and is transformed into a rather grotesque superhero. The difference is this film doesn’t pretend to be anything other than a complete spoof of the whole super human genre.
There are plenty of violent and gory scenes and a fair amount of action but it sometimes gets bogged down in unnecessary backstory and emotional relationship arcs which slow it down. Yes, yes, human relationships are necessary especially to ensure that the Avenger himself isn’t just seen as a senseless killer. The fact he’s trying to save his step kid and save the world excuse his seemingly joyful desire to kill people.
Peter Dinklage is good as the lead in this film and shows an great range of emotional versatility, but in his pre-monster incarnation as Winston Gooze, his hound dog expressions are leaned into a little too much and rather than being endearing end up a little annoying. The support cast is great, particularly Jacob Tremblay. Elijah Wood is satisfyingly disturbing and Kevin Bacon manages to create someone who is just so damn awful his sticky end is a joy to watch.
Ultimately Toxic Avenger is an entertaining film and if you like gore, you’ll probably love this, but it’s not one I’d rush out and see again.
TOXIC AVENGER UNRATED
Starring: Peter Dinklage, Jacob Tremblay, Taylour Paige, Julia Davis, Jonny Coyne, Elijah Wood, Kevin Bacon
Directed by: Macon Blair
Duration: 103 minutes
Opens in New Zealand August 28 2025
