Macon Blair’s The Toxic Avenger Unrated, starring Peter Dinklage, is making theaters blush at the thought of its release. Specifically, they are reluctant to show the unrated version due to the feature of an unexpected co-star; Toxie’s dong.
Yep, that’s right, the Toxic Avenger’s equally mutated appendage makes a cameo in the unrated cut of the film.
Fans went wild at the movie’s 2023 premiere at Fantastic Fest. However, it was the rated R version they were viewing. This version of The Toxic Avenger was void of Toxie’s full frontal nudity debut as displayed in Unrated.
Despite the movie receiving rave reviews from fans after multiple showings, even the rated R cut of the film faced challenges when searching for a distributor. The Toxic Avenger was deemed as “unreleasable” because of the graphic content and gore. Producer and filmmaker Adam Masnyk also stated distributors had concerns that The Toxic Avenger Unrated was “not safe enough to market.”
History of the Cult Classic
The original Toxic Avenger directed and produced by Lloyd Kaufman faced similar challenges. The 1984 cult classic follows black comedy standards, as well as tropes from the splatter horror subgenre. Dark humor, gratuitous gore and nudity, ultra violence, and ridiculous scenarios are all trademarks of the subgenre. In fact, these are also hallmarks of your classic Kaufman film.
For those who are not familiar with the plotline; while being bullied, a freak accident leaves janitor Melvin Ferd’s (Winston Gooze in the remake) body mutated… his entire body. The accident transforms the once nerdy, small framed janitor. After being submerged in a chemical bath, the janitor has a larger, stronger physique, superhuman strength, and a personal sense of duty to seek justice.
The Toxic Avenger Unrated, Something… Unexpected
As a remake, 2023’s The Toxic Avenger Unrated follows the basic premise of the original, as well as the tropes that defined the cult classic. However, being nearly four decades later, antes have to be upped. To the filmmakers this apparently means nudity. Yet unlike the previous films which capitalized on female nudity, 2023’s filmmakers decided to showcase something else; Toxie’s monster appendage.
Initially you may think the vigilante’s exposed dong might be part of a sex scene for the unlikely hero. No such luck, kids.
The internet has spilled the beans detailing why The Toxic Avenger Unrated is making certain people uncomfortable. The big reveal is to assist in Toxie’s escape from being captive and bound. It is with the assistance of his acidic pee that the janitor can free himself of his restraints and escape.
It’s as simple as that. No gratuitous sex for the hero. No lonely masturbation scene. Just Toxie taking a piss in a scenario that fits the film’s carefully sculpted atmosphere and tone of the film. When all is said and done, after a quick chuckle, it seems kinda… well, unimpressive.