HalloweenSpotted: THE TOXIC AVENGER (2023) The Origin of Toxie’s Tutu +Reviews
The Toxic Avenger (2023) is now streaming for subscribers of Hulu and Screambox. The remake was released in theaters on August 29, 2025, followed by a PVOD release on September 30, 2025, and DVD/Blu-ray releases on October 28, 2025.
Macon Blair’s adaptation of The Toxic Avenger is a contemporary reimagining of the 1984 classic. When a struggling everyman janitor is pushed into a vat of toxic waste, he is transformed into a mutant freak who must go from shunned outcast to underdog hero as he races to save his son and his community from the forces of corruption and greed. Brimming with irreverence, outlandish humor, and over-the-top gore, this new take on the audacious social-satire franchise pits the iconic “Toxie” against egomaniacal industry titan Bob Garbinger. Beneath all of the mutant mayhem, it’s also rife with social and environmental themes.
A horrible toxic accident transforms downtrodden janitor Winston Gooze into a new evolution of hero: the Toxic Avenger.
Directed by Macon Blair, written by Macon Blair, Lloyd Kaufman and Joe Ritter, produced by Mary Parent and Alex Garcia, it stars Peter Dinklage, Kevin Bacon, Elijah Wood, Jacob Tremblay, Taylour Paige, Julia Davis, Jonny Coyne and Luisa Guerreiro in the suit as the Toxic Avenger.
HalloweenSpotted: There’s a scene in which Dinklage’s character reflects on his late girlfriend while looking at a framed photo of the two of them with her child (his stepson) and a jack-o’-lantern. The photo was taken on Halloween when she was still alive, and all three are wearing tutus as their costumes. Toxie’s tutu was originally Dinklage’s own Halloween costume; a screenshot can be found below in the stills section.
HalloweenSpotted: There’s a scene in which Dinklage’s character reflects on his late girlfriend while looking at a framed photo of the two of them with her child (his stepson) and a jack-o’-lantern. The photo was taken on Halloween when she was still alive, and all three are wearing tutus as their costumes. Toxie’s tutu was originally Dinklage’s own Halloween costume; screenshot above."
Jack-O's Review: "The Toxic Avenger (2023) turned out to be a really fun ride, packed with affectionate nods to the original film. Peter Dinklage brought a lot of heart to the role as a genuinely caring stepfather, Kevin Bacon was excellent as the villain and Elijah Wood plays a weird character that looks like the Penguin from Batman Returns. It truly felt like Dinklage himself played the Toxic Avenger, but he just voices him. Huge credit goes to Luisa Guerreiro, a British Portuguese actress who was actually in the suit, for making the performance feel so convincing. The gore was a highlight for me: largely practical, with CGI used to enhance rather than distract, and it worked beautifully. I found it more tame than the original Troma/Toxie films, which makes me wonder why it wasn’t released in 2023 and instead sat on the shelf for two years. ★★★ @trickhorrortreater
Reviewers say 'The Toxic Avenger' remake is a mixed bag, with many praising its campy humor, gore, and nostalgic nods to the original. Fans of the original appreciate the film's attempt to modernize the story while retaining its core elements. However, some find the film lacks the charm and raw energy of the original, with issues in tone, pacing, and character development. The performances, particularly by Peter Dinklage and Kevin Bacon, are often highlighted, though opinions on their effectiveness vary. The film's blend of practical effects and CGI is noted, with some reviewers appreciating the gore and others finding it less impactful than expected. Overall, the remake is seen as a fun, if flawed, attempt to revive a cult classic, with its success largely depending on the viewer's expectations and appreciation for the original.
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