Opening in theaters on August 29th is ‘The Toxic Avenger’, which is a reboot of the 1984 cult classic and was directed by Macon Blair (‘Brothers’).
ONHy8weYYsZexyU7f3Yu66The film stars Peter Dinklage (‘Game of Thrones’) in the title role, as well as Jacob Tremblay (‘Room’), Taylour Paige (‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’), Elijah Wood (‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’), and Kevin Bacon (‘Footloose’).
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Initial Thoughts
While it’s not going to win any Oscars, ‘The Toxic Avenger’ reboot is the best possible updated version of the 1984 cult classic. Director Macron Blair clearly understood the assignment and delivers over-the-top action, violence, and humor, but also injects the movie with an emotional core that makes you care about the characters.
Peter Dinklage’s performance as the pre-Toxic Avenger Winston Gooze anchors the film and creates a sympathetic character for the audience to root for. His relationship with his son played by Jacob Tremblay is the emotional heart of the film, and they are joined by hilariously over-the-top performances from the film’s villains, played by Kevin Bacon and Elijah Wood.
Story and Direction
The movie begins by introducing us to Winston Gooze, a down on his luck janitor trying to raise his teenage stepson Wade (Jacob Tremblay), after his wife’s sudden death. Winston works at a factory owned by billionaire health guru Bob Garbinger, who with the help of a crime boss is manufacturing toxic beauty products. We also meet J.J. Doherty (Taylour Paige), an investigative journalist trying to expose Garbinger’s illegal practices after he had her mentor killed.
With evidence in hand to ruin Garbinger, he sends a group of assassins led by his brother Fritz Garbinger (Elijah Wood) to kill J.J. But they mistakenly kill Gooze instead and dump his body in a pool of chemical waste, transforming him into the hero the Toxic Avenger (played by suit performer Luisa Guerreiro).
Using his newfound powers, Winston becomes a local hero as the Toxic Avenger and tries to reconnect with Wade. But when Bob discovers his identity, he dispatches Fritz and an army of assassins to capture Wade and lure the Toxic Avenger to his death. Now, Winston must team up with J.J. to save Wade and stop Bob for good.
Director Macon Blair, who helmed last year’s ‘Brothers’ and starred in ‘Blue Ruin’ and ‘Green Room’ is one filmmaker that you want to keep your eyes on. Blair has elevated the source material and delivered a script that while incorporating the tone, violence and humor of the original, focuses on the relationship between Winston and Wade, creating an emotional core for the film and forcing you care about what happens to these strange characters.
Blair’s direction is also impressive, moving the camera in an interesting way, and using practical effects rather than VFX, which helps with the campy tone. Blair accomplishes his goal with ‘Toxic Avenger’, recapturing the strange tone and over-the-top gore and campiness of the original, while creating something new, with a real heart, that audiences can relate to.
Cast and Performances
Peter Dinklage was perfectly cast as Winston Gooze and beings so much heart and sympathy to the role. However, Dinklage’s performance as the Toxic Avenger is a voice role only, but suit performer Luisa Guerreiro does fantastic work and her performance with Dinklage’s added audio works seamlessly.
Jacob Tremblay, who first came to fame as a child actor in films like ‘Room’ and ‘Wonder’, is now a young man and once you get over that shock, he gives a heartfelt performance as Wade. Tremblay has great chemistry with Dinklage and is at his best in their scenes together early in the film.
The film’s villains are all great, including the over-the-top Kevin Bacon, who seems to be having a lot of fun chewing up the scenery. Julia Davis also gives an excellent evil performance as Bob Garbinger’s love interest and assistant, but its Elijah Wood as Fritz Garbinger that really steals the film, playing the character as a dangerous yet sympathetic villain, who is just looking for his brother’s love and approval.
Actress Taylour Paige, last seen in ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’ as Eddie Murphy’s daughter, is fine in her role but ultimately not give enough to do and gets lost in the film’s shocking moments and its various over-the-top characters.
Final Thoughts
Again, while it’s not going to win any Oscars, ‘The Toxic Avenger’ is exactly what it should be, a gore-filled, campy, over-the-top remake of the original. Director Macon Blair injects the film with enough heart for the audience to truly care about the characters, and the cast is excellent, led by a commanding performance from Peter Dinklage, and wild performances from Kevin Bacon and Elijah Wood. Fans of the original and the genre in general, should be very happy with the new film.
‘The Toxic Avenger’ (2025) receives a score of 75 out of 100.
What is the plot of ‘The Toxic Avenger’?
When a downtrodden janitor, Winston Gooze (Peter Dinklage), is exposed to a catastrophic toxic accident, he’s transformed into a new kind of hero: The Toxic Avenger. Now, Toxie must rise from outcast to savior, taking on ruthless corporate overlords and corrupt forces who threaten his son (Jacob Tremblay), his friends, and his community. In a world where greed runs rampant… justice is best served radioactive.
Who is in the cast of ‘The Toxic Avenger’?
- Peter Dinklage as Winston Gooze / the Toxic Avenger (voice)
- Luisa Guerreiro as the Toxic Avenger (suit performer)
- Jacob Tremblay as Wade Gooze
- Taylour Paige as J.J. Doherty
- Kevin Bacon as Bob Garbinger
- Elijah Wood as Fritz Garbinger
- Sarah Niles as Mayor Togar
- Julia Davis as Kissy Sturnevan
- Julian Kostov as Budd Berserk
- David Yow as Guthrie Stockins
- Macon Blair as Dennis
- Rebecca O’Mara as Shelly Gooze
- Jonny Coyne as Thad Barkabus
- Jane Levy as Cheerful Insurance Representative (voice)
List of Movies and TV Shows in ‘The Toxic Avenger’ Franchise:
- ‘The Toxic Avenger‘ (1986)
- ‘The Toxic Avenger Part II‘ (1989)
- ‘The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie‘ (1989)
- ‘Toxic Crusaders‘ (1991)
- ‘Toxic Crusaders: The Movie‘ (1997)
- ‘Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV‘ (2001)
- ‘The Toxic Avenger: The Musical‘ (2018)
- ‘The Toxic Avenger‘ (2025)
