“Toxie Rises—Peter Dinklage’s Mop-Wielding Mutant Takes on Corruption in a Gory, Absurd Triumph”
Picture a world where bravado meets slime—The Toxic Avenger (2025) is that dazzlingly deranged place. Directed by Macon Blair (most known for I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore), this reboot of the cult 1980s original gleefully mutates into a political splatter-comedy that’s half satire, half swampy fairy tale.
Plot & Tone
Our unlikely antihero is Winston Gooze (Peter Dinklage), a janitor diagnosed with a terminal illness, who works for a soul-sucking corporation (The Guardian notes this setup takes him from janitorial invisibility to radioactive infamy) theguardian.comMidland Daily News. After an accident in a vat of glowing waste and a chance partnership with investigative reporter J.J. (Taylour Paige), Winston emerges as Toxie, a mutant vigilante armed with a mop and righteous fury Midland Daily News
Rottentomatoes
It’s unapologetically bizarre—blood-soaked, slapstick violent, and robustly political. As The Mary Sue puts it, “comically violent, absurdly gory, and extremely silly… a timely ‘eat the rich’ story infused with an earnest working class perspective”
Praise:
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Lloyd Kaufman, creator of the original, called Blair’s version “truer to my uncensored vision”
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Variety: “This is an inside joke of a film, but it’s also one that wants you to be in on it.”
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Collider: “A bonkers & bloody delight.”
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Slash Film: “Peter Dinklage brings soul to a gore-soaked comedy of anarchy.”
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Austin Chronicle: “This Toxie is even easier to root for… charming and sad amongst the silliness.”
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Dread Central: “A gooey, gory, bloody affair.”
- IndieWire: “Here, ‘agreeably stupid’ is the order of the day…”
Verdict
The Toxic Avenger 2025 is messy, fearless—and in its own squirmy way, maybe perfect. It isn’t for everyone. But for fans of gore with conscience, absurdity with heart, and Dinklage’s warm growl cloaked in green goo—it’s a sludge-laden joyride. Facts aside, the film’s boldness is admirable: this is art horror that leans into its bizarre DNA, not shy away.
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Attribute Details Year of Release 2025 (wide theatrical release on August 29) Screenwriter Macon Blair Director Macon Blair Producers Mary Parent, Alex Garcia, Lloyd Kaufman, Michael Herz Main Actors Peter Dinklage, Jacob Tremblay, Taylour Paige, Julia Davis, Elijah Wood, Kevin Bacon Production Companies Legendary Pictures, Troma Entertainment Distributor/Studio Cineverse (Bloody Disgusting, Iconic Events Releasing) Budget Not publicly disclosed (no reliable source found)
