The Toxic Avenger review – strong cast struggles to revive stale horror franchise

Edinburgh film festivalPeter Dinklage does his best as a humble nerd transformed into a bulbous monster wreaking vengeance on his bullies, but this is dismal schlockThe 1980s schlock-splatterfest franchise, originating from the famously low-budget, low-morale Z-list horror studio Troma, is now rebooted with an impressive cast and unimpressive script; it gets its somewhat delayed premiere at Edinburgh, two years after its completion. (It’s billed as a world premiere, though a presumably different version screened at a couple of film festivals in 2023.)The original film was about a cringing nerd, sexually humiliated by bikini-clad women and brutalised by jocks, who then falls into a bin of bubbling toxic waste and is transformed into a hideously disfigured bulbous monster wreaking a terrible vengeance on all the bullies. This new version is not more progressive exactly, but the scantily-clad-babe factor, so important in bargain-bin 80s movies, has been dialled down. Continue reading...

Comments

Culture

Kevin Costner responds to lawsuit over ‘violent unscripted rape scene’ in western movie Horizon 2

Metro

Comments

Culture

Kevin Costner responds to lawsuit over ‘violent unscripted rape scene’ in western movie Horizon 2

Tamar Braxton says she ‘almost died’ after being found in ‘pool of blood’

Christine McGuinness says she quit Celebs Go Dating over privacy issues

Christopher Biggins says he’s ‘infuriated’ after driving licence is stripped over eye test

Martin Shaw reveals feud with ‘arrogant’ The Professionals co-star Lewis Collins

Noel Gallagher ‘underestimated’ challenges of Oasis reunion tour but says he’s proud of brother Liam

The most overrated films of the 21st century, from Casino Royale to Oppenheimer

It Ends With Us star accuses Justin Baldoni of harassment over Blake Lively lawsuit subpoena

Quentin Tarantino to open his debut play in London’s West End

Eurovision Song Contest 2026 announces host city in Austria

Trump White House seeks ‘Swiftie’ justice by suing reseller for grabbing over 2,000 Taylor Swift tickets

Noel Gallagher says he is ‘proud’ of his brother Liam

Eurovision Song Contest 2026 date and host city revealed

Actor son of murder-suicide victim issues stepdad funeral plea

It pays to be cringe. Lean in.

The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox: What is fact and what is fiction in the Disney drama?

Adam Scott says losing role to Michael C Hall almost made him quit acting

British rising star ‘screen tests’ to replace Daniel Craig as James Bond

Netflix users hail ‘best news ever’ as Dept Q is renewed for season 2

Great British Bake Off reveals amateur contestants for 2025 series

Harry Potter: Every actor cast in the new HBO TV adaptation

Harry Potter series announces Weasley children castings as filming gets underway

Gary Oldman shares blunt reason he skipped role that made Johnny Depp famous

The Cranberries admit listening to Dolores O’Riordan outtakes was ‘hard’

Music to die for: List of funeral favourite songs released

Kneecap rapper to appear in court for alleged support of terrorist group

Noel Gallagher:&#160;I'm proud of my brother - he's been amazing

‘Alien: Earth’ Season 1, Episode 3 Recap: Weird Science

Revealed: The top songs picked to be played at funerals

The Gathered Leaves at the Park Theatre review: a slowly beguiling, elegant revival

'You could do it now': Hollyoaks and Grange Hill creator's radical idea for BBC and Channel 4

Trump expands 'woke' criticism from Smithsonian to other museums

Tommy Fury reveals he drank ‘20 shots a night’ before Molly-Mae Hague break-up

Trump White House seeks ‘Swiftie’ justice by suing reseller for grabbing over 2,000 Taylor Swift tickets

Noel Gallagher says he is ‘proud’ of his brother Liam

Adam Scott says losing role to Michael C Hall almost made him quit acting

Colin Farrell stars as gambling addict in new film from Conclave director

Oasis blown away by comeback, says Noel Gallagher

In navigating hearing loss, poet Raymond Antrobus explains his views on 'deaf gain'

James Bond legend, 72, would consider surprise return as 007 ‘in a heartbeat’

Jillian Michaels goes nuclear on Bob Harper and Netflix’s Biggest Loser docuseries: ‘This is false’

Robbie Williams to perform his smallest ticketed gig to wrap up summer tour

Downton Abbey 'iconic' props and costumes up for auction

With 'Highest 2 Lowest,' Spike Lee puts a hip-hop spin on Kurosawa's 1963 classic

Who’s Involved in Trump’s Overhaul of the Smithsonian, the Kennedy Center and Other Cultural Orgs?

Ring the Alarm for 13 Killer Dancehall Cuts

These are the greatest films of all time you need to stream right now

Gary Oldman shares blunt reason he skipped role that made Johnny Depp famous

Harry Potter: Every actor cast in the new HBO TV adaptation

Harry Potter series announces Weasley children castings as filming gets underway

Pop girlies are fighting music’s rising conservatism one raunchy album at a time

Seeking Simplicity? These Books Will Help You Banish Clutter

It Ends With Us star accuses Justin Baldoni of harassment over Blake Lively lawsuit subpoena

The Vivienne documentary trailer prompts outpouring of emotion from Drag Race fans

Gorillaz – House of Kong review: Damon Albarn's exhibition is magical, musical alchemy

'She poked the bear': Real Housewives of London's Panthea Parker addresses Juliet Mayhew ‘teeth gate’ row

Irvine Welsh: Edinburgh Festival is great but I’m more excited about Hibs

Harry Potter TV series reveals new all-ginger Weasley siblings cast

Doctor Who fans finally get sci-fi crossover they’ve been waiting 20 years for

Netflix crime drama Department Q to return for second series

Noel Gallagher: I'm proud of my brother - he's been amazing