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‘The Toxic Avenger’ Tackles Superhero Films and Societal Issues in Atypical Fashion
The hero we didn’t ask for, but the one we needed
This article contains light spoilers.
In its early years, Troma’s sexy comedies kept the company afloat. Most of these films became cult hits. But one film became more than a cult favorite. It became one of the most beloved films by cineastes.
Troma’s The Toxic Avenger is the hit creators Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz desired and deserved. They created a movie with the right blend of superhero tropes, gory action, and societal themes. Furthermore, the film does an excellent job of showcasing the U.S. in the 1980s.
Given Troma’s tendency to exaggerate and intensify its movies, The Toxic Avenger will appear goofy and far-fetched. This over-the-top approach works. Nothing in 1984 felt normal, and the movie provides a polarizing worldview of this time that will make viewers question their society.
Or wish that a nuclear waste Superman could save them.
Kaufman and Herz conceived and directed The Toxic Avenger, which they published with their company, Troma Entertainment. The movie takes place in Tromaville, New Jersey, a town filled with crime and corruption. It follows Melvin…
