Festivals - Fantastic Fest 2023 : The Toxic Avenger Premieres to Rave Reviews

By Mulder, Texas, Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar, Theater 1, 21 september 2023

Last night marked the highly anticipated world premiere of The Toxic Avenger at the renowned Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas. The event left audiences ecstatic and clamoring for more, leading to an exciting announcement by the festival organizers. In response to the overwhelming demand and resounding applause, Fantastic Fest has decided to host encore screenings of this iconic reimagining of Troma Entertainment's 1984 cult classic.

Macon Blair, the brilliant mind behind this rejuvenated version of The Toxic Avenger, along with Troma co-founder Lloyd Kaufman, were present at the premiere to bask in the glory of the reboot's success. Their presence added an extra layer of excitement to an already electric event, as fans united to welcome back their beloved toxic hero.

The Toxic Avenger is a Legendary Entertainment production that pays homage to the original film created by the genre legend Lloyd Kaufman. With its world-class cast and visionary director, this reimagining promises to delight fans both old and new. The film stars Peter Dinklage as the titular character, joined by a stellar ensemble cast including Jacob Tremblay, Taylour Paige, Kevin Bacon, Sarah Niles, Julia Davis, Julian Kostov, and Elijah Wood. This star-studded lineup delivers a fresh take on the iconic superhero splatter film.

The Toxic Avenger premiered as the opening film of Fantastic Fest on September 21, 2023, setting the stage for a thrilling cinematic experience. This reboot has been a long time in the making, with several notable names associated with its development over the years. Initially aiming for a family-friendly PG-13 rating similar to the animated Toxic Crusaders television series, the project underwent multiple iterations before landing in the capable hands of Macon Blair.

With post-production efforts revealing a film that promises to captivate audiences, The Toxic Avenger is off to a fantastic start. Early reviews on Rotten Tomatoes showcase an impressive 83% positive rating among critics, with an average score of 7.2/10. Metacritic, while indicating mixed or average reviews with a score of 42 out of 100, also hints at the film's unique appeal.

Fantastic Fest, founded in 2005 by Tim League of Alamo Drafthouse, Harry Knowles of Ain't It Cool News, Paul Alvarado-Dykstra, and Tim McCanlies, has once again demonstrated its commitment to bringing groundbreaking cinema to audiences. Festival director Lisa Dreyer and head of programming Annick Mahnert have curated a lineup that promises to delight film enthusiasts.

Synopsis :
The story follows Winston, a typical underdog who works as a janitor at the Garb-X health club. When he's diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and his employer refuses to cover the expensive treatment, Winston takes matters into his own hands. In a twist of fate, he tumbles into a vat of toxic waste, emerging as a deformed monster on a mission to right wrongs and seek justice against those who've wronged him.

The Toxic Avenger
Written and directed by Macon Blair
Based on The Toxic Avenger by Lloyd Kaufman
Produced by Lloyd Kaufman, Michael Herz
Starring Peter Dinklage, Jacob Tremblay, Taylour Paige, Kevin Bacon, Sarah Niles, Julia Davis, Julian Kostov, Elijah Wood
Cinematography : Dana Gonzales
Edited by Brett W. Bachman, James Thomas
Production companies : Legendary Pictures, Troma Entertainment
Release date : September 21, 2023 (Fantastic Fest)
Running time : 102 minutes