Dundead: The Toxic Avenger

1984’s The Toxic Avenger is one of the most infamous exploitation films to ever come out of America. This new reboot from writer-director Macon Blair (erstwhile star of Blue Ruin) and starring Peter Dinklage follows in the irradiated footsteps of the original film, losing none of the splatter or broad sense of comedy, while also perhaps offering an antidote to the more problematic aspects of that original production. This new film has been highly anticipated by horror fans; after playing Fantastic Fest back in 2023, it seemed stuck in limbo for a while, with rumours circling online that it had been deemed “too gory” to release. 

Dinklage stars as Winston Gooze, a downtrodden janitor whose character name is a good indication of the cartoony world this film creates. When Winston is involved in a horrible toxic accident, he is transformed into a new kind of hero: the Toxic Avenger. While there are Easter eggs galore for fans of the original film, the strength of Blair’s film is in taking the core concept and doing its own thing. 

As well as Dinklage, the film’s impressive cast includes Zola’s Taylour Paige, Elijah Wood, UK cult comedy legend Julia Davis, Room’s Jacob Tremblay and the one and only Kevin Bacon as the film’s big villain, who is clearly having a lot of fun with a gleefully over-the-top performance. And, while we don’t want to spoil it, the villainous squad of assassins employed by Bacon’s character is a very fun touch.

Wilfully silly, charmingly low-budget, satisfyingly gloopy, and weirdly quite sweet, The Toxic Avenger is a loving throwback to 80s trash cinema and a pleasingly off-beat creation all of its own.