10 Reasons The Toxic Avenger is the Only Avenger that Matters

Superhero movies are exhausting. Did you know there are almost 40 movies in the Marvel cinematic universe? And that a lot of them aren’t worth watching? (I’m looking at you dead in the eyes, Fantastic Four: First Steps.) 

At best superhero movies are mindless, summer blockbusters, but most superhero movies aren’t enjoyable anymore. For me, it’s the mindlessness that I cannot stand; I need something new and weird or maybe something old and forgotten. 

And in walks The Toxic Avenger.

This is not the first time The Toxic Avenger has been in the spotlight. Our friend, lovingly known as Toxie, had four movies (most from the 80’s), a 90’s cartoon series with his toxic friends, a musical, action figures, and even a video game on the Sega Genesis. Although I played the game and watched the cartoon as a kid, I forgot all that existed until I went to watch this movie. 

My favorite way to consume movies is completely blind, but that is almost impossible. Fortunately, I saw no preview for this movie, and knew nothing more than the mostly forgotten Toxie knowledge from my childhood, and what the movie poster allowed, which was Peter Dinklage would portray Toxie.

This movie stole my micro-plastics ridden heart, so without any spoilers, here are a quick 10 reasons The Toxic Avenger is great and you should see it:

1. It’s an origin story, so no reason to watch 25 movies before this one to understand what is happening. 
2. The main plotlines converge nicely and do not feel overwhelming or overly detailed. 
3. The story is well-told with sympathetic characters. 
4. Ridiculous splatter punk with a toxic mop.
5. Peter Dinklage is our hero, a widower, and the most awkward step-dad you’ll ever see. No, becoming Toxie does not make him any less awkward. 
6. Terrible rich people, who would poison a population for their own gain, get some justice with a jury consisting of a toxic mop. 
7. Kevin Bacon. 
8. All the silly background details add to the world-building in a meaningful way. I would watch it again just to see what I missed in the background. 
9. The laughs you’ll experience are real, sudden, and unexpected. One caught me completely off-guard and I had to wipe away a tear. 
10. If Toxie existed in the Marvel universe, The Avengers would not be able to handle him, but the people would love him. The Toxic Avenger should be the new avenger, but this guy doesn’t mess around. Toxie will straight up kill a guy, and make Daredevil cry.

So if you are tired of superhero movies, like comedy-horrors, and splatterpunk, then you should see The Toxic Avenger. 

Also, don’t be lame like me and leave before the end credit scenes.

NerdScore 8.2/10

The Toxic Avenger (2025) Review

By Jo R. Jardina • August 31, 2025 • Full Review

Review Summary

A gleefully grotesque revival that doesn’t pull punches—The Toxic Avenger splatters satire, slime, and sincerity in equal measure.

About the Film

A reimagining of Troma’s cult classic, following a downtrodden janitor who mutates into an unlikely, sludge-soaked antihero bent on cleaning up crime and corruption.

IMDb 6.4/10

Metacritic 65/100

Rotten Tomatoes 86%

Where to Watch

[amazon box=”B0FLHKK4RV”]