Review published 15th February 2026

Watch the official trailer.

One Year Left, A Family Still Out of Reach

Winston, played by Peter Dinklage, is not having a good run of luck since losing his partner, Shelly, a year ago. He is also now a stepfather to a teenage boy named Wade (portrayed by Jacob Tremblay). While Winston struggles to connect with his stepson on a deeper, more relatable level, he is also battling mounting financial pressure as bills pile up.  Making matters worse, Winston has been suffering from persistent headaches, and after a series of tests, he is told he has less than a year to live. A possible drug treatment is available, but it will need to be covered through his work insurance.

When Corporate Greed Turns Desperate

But Winston’s luck does not improve. He works for BTH, a company known for its various health and wellness products. However, when BTH’s stock plunges following news of the company’s toxic dumping accusations, the company and its owner, Bob Garbinger, played by Kevin Bacon, will do anything to claw their way back to the top.

Denied, Desperate, and Drenched in Toxic Mayhem

When Winston discovers that his work insurance is platinum level but excludes many of the lifesaving drug treatments he needs, he pleads with the company for reconsideration. Instead, his request is denied once again.  In a drunken rage and wearing a tutu, Winston decides to pay a visit to BTH and begins vandalising the workplace. He soon finds himself caught in a chase with the lethal rock band known as ‘The Killer Nutz’. During the chaos, Winston is shot and thrown into a river of toxic chemicals.

Reborn in Toxicity, Redeemed by Heart

Finally, Winston’s luck is about to change. In the toxic river, a transformation takes place, completely altering his appearance. By some miracle, he is given a second chance at life, becoming the man he has never been before: a hero. Yet through it all, he still carries the same heart, especially when it comes to his stepson Wade.

Splatter, Satire, and a Toxic Legacy Reimagined

The Toxic Avenger is a spoofy comedy with dark humour, and as an added bonus, plenty of horror vibes along with moments of blood splatter. For those unaware, the film is in fact a remake of the original The Toxic Avenger, first released in 1984, which later spawned three additional instalments.  This new remake was directed by Macon Blair, whose previous work behind the camera includes I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore from 2017, as well as the upcoming comedy The S**theads, set for release later this year in 2026, which also features Peter Dinklage. Blair clearly adores loud, wacky, playful and outrageous projects.

Perfect Casting, Powerful Transformation

When it comes to casting, there are some excellent choices here that pay off wonderfully. I really enjoyed Peter Dinklage in the film’s lead role, playing Winston and later providing the voice of The Toxic Avenger (with Luisa Guerreiro providing ‘The Bod’ for Toxie). Not only is there a physical transformation for Winston, but there is also a strong personal journey about what truly matters, and Dinklage carries that emotional weight with ease.

Villains Who Delight and Terrify

As for the villains, Kevin Bacon is once again flashing big grins and delivering deliciously fun one-liners. Elijah Wood also seems to be having a blast as Fritz Garbinger, wearing heavy costuming and makeup, bringing a creepy character to life. His performance even reminded me a little of The Penguin from Tim Burton’s 1992 Batman.

Striking Designs and Shockingly Fun Violence

The costuming and design of The Toxic Avenger are fantastic. I especially appreciated that, despite the extreme makeover, you still feel that this version of the character is Winston underneath it all. The updated, modern superhero look works incredibly well.  The violence, which relies heavily on CGI, is also impressively executed. Even the most gruesome moments, such as Toxie’s mop going straight through someone’s face, are insanely detailed. Many of the kills either land a huge laugh or leave you staring at the screen in complete shock.

Strong Start, Fizzling Finale

The film is paced well for the most part. Like many superhero films, it takes a little while to properly get underway, as it follows a fairly traditional origin story path before we fully see The Toxic Avenger.  Once The Toxic Avenger is introduced, and the first few kills unfold, the comedy and overall pace definitely ramp up. However, I ultimately found the third act the most lacklustre, dull, and uninteresting.  As a climax and final showdown against some of Toxie’s most dangerous enemies, I was hoping for something far more significant and memorable. Unfortunately, it does not quite deliver the punch that the earlier chaos promises.

A Wild, Bloody, and Surprisingly Heartfelt Ride

Overall, The Toxic Avenger is both a welcome remake and a terrific introduction for newcomers to superhero films. It is great to see some solid upgrades here, particularly the refreshed look of Toxie and the inspired casting of Peter Dinklage as the lead, later voicing the superhero himself.  The violence and gore, although largely CGI, are highly impressive and extremely well detailed, and they certainly earned plenty of laughs from me. Like many superhero films, The Toxic Avenger follows a familiar origin story structure and even slips in a positive message along the way.  I personally had a great time with this release. However, if I am being honest, the finale and showdown feel extremely weak and forgettable when compared to the rest of the film.  That said, if you are a fan of splatter horror, dark comedic gags and some very cool costuming creations, this is one hero with a mop who saves the day, and you should check it out.

The Toxic Avenger (2023) is Now Available on 4K UHD thanks to Umbrella!

About the Reviewer

Peter Walkden

Film writer and curator with a deep passion for cinema, genre filmmaking, and physical media. Exploring new releases, cult favourites, and overlooked films, with a strong focus on atmosphere, storytelling, and the theatrical experience.

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