The Toxic Avenger: Welcome Back Toxie! (Early Review)

In 1984, the greatest piece of superhuman media was unleashed on the world, titled ‘The Toxic Avenger.’ The brainchild of Troma Entertainment co-founders Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz, The film was a mean-spirited, funny, cruel, and violent superhuman exploitation film would put Troma on the map, a company that produced such creatives as James Gunn and Trey Parker. After a Saturday morning cartoon series called ‘Toxic Crusaders’ and three subsequent sequels, Toxie, its main character, just went away. From there, he merely served as more of a Troma mascot, than as the avenging superhuman of TromaVille. Now in 2023, Kaufman co-signed a remake of the iconic film with writer-director Macon Blair at the helm. Amidst the resurgence of ultraviolent cinema, there is no better time to bring back the sleazy, low-budget, and crass sensibilities of Troma. After years on the shelf, it is finally here, and unrated. With that, the question now stands: was Toxie’s big screen return worth the wait? Well, yes. Although it may not exactly be the tromatic return to form some may have hoped, it is imbued with enough of the brand’s sensibilities, and is about as crass and violent as one can expect for a Troma remake. 

Blair’s take follows Winston (Dinklage), a widowed stepdad working tirelessly at a toxic pharmaceutical plant owned by Bio-Toxiphetamine Hydroxylate to support his stepson Wade (Tremblay). Upon getting news of a fatal brain condition, and unable to raise the money for his treatment, Winston attends a banquet of the president of BTH, villainous egomaniac Bob Garbinger (Bacon). Following an embarrassing dismissal, an unfortunate encounter with rogue employee and whistleblower J.J. Doherty (Taylour Paige) left him disposed of in a vat of the company’s toxic waste. This incident would lead to a transformation in Winston, changing him from man to superhuman, creating The Toxic Avenger. Armed with his newfound abilities, he seeks to protect St Roma’s Ville from the greedy corporate invasion and their pollution, all while trying to be the best father he can be for his son. 

When it comes to this remake, audiences can almost immediately sense the change in tone and sensibility in Blair’s version. The low budget, practical gore, and sleaze is instead replaced by a more chintzy retro look and ‘cheesy’ ironic look that plagues a lot of the 80s genre throwback films. His film is much more sentimental, fixating on familial bonds and themes of abandonment in tandem with the social outcast aspects of the original. Similarly, it is much more invested in Winston as a character, as opposed to Melvin in the original. Both Toxies are well-loved social outcasts who find their place in their toxic shell. Winston, however, has much more of a tragic and empathetic backstory in contrast to Melvin, a perverted goofball who suffers from the rampant crime of TromaVille.

This approach is definitely something needed for a modern reimagining, and isn’t an outright flaw with this remake. It is especially strengthened by Dinklage’s fantastic performance as Winston. Surrounding Dinklage (and the incredible companion performance in the suit by Luisa Guerreiro) are notably good performances by the supporting cast. Tremblay is solid as Wade, the outcast and displaced son who shares great chemistry with Dinklage. Meanwhile, the often dependable Bacon is hilarious as a vile Trumpian narcissist. However, it is Paige, who steals the show as the pissed off J.J., delivering a performance that constantly generates big laughs and her companionship with Dinklage’s Toxie is among the film’s highlights.

Now, fans hoping for an exploitative return to form for the Troma mascot will be disappointed as this version opts for a more ironic and sentimental tone. Although still quite violent, the film is a lot more comical and exaggerated, hampered by its emphasis on CGI and digital gore. While the practical VFX are great, they are too frequently replaced with digital gore that, paired with the visual style, makes moments of the film feel cheap. Though cheapness is a part of the Troma appeal, it is often accompanied by plentiful practical effects, rather than gaudy digital work. Furthermore, the film’s pacing suffers from the additional character development and villain setup, losing the breezy and rapid-fire pacing of the original.

Blair’s welcome remake that should be applauded for even existing, and in this form. Those looking for a violent and nasty unrated film will mostly be satisfied, and those fresh off the hype of the Terrifier films may have found their new toy to play with while waiting for its fourth entry. The Toxic Avenger is a faithful adaptation, bringing the world’s greatest superhuman to a new age in a way that will satisfy new audiences and Troma mainstays. In its adaptation, however, it does lose some low-budget Troma charm; concessions of the modern industry hold this back ever so slightly from being a truly great splatter flick.

In the end, The Toxic Avenger is simply a massive win for independent and low-budget cinema. Audiences should see it at their earliest convenience and support the first Superhuman-hero of New Jersey!

still courtesy of VVS Films

If you liked this, please read our other reviews here and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter or Instagram or like us on Facebook.

Brad Simon

letterboxd.com/bradsimmon213/