Well, it’s official.
The upcoming ‘Toxic Avenger’ remake, directed by Macon Blair and starring Peter Dinklage, will be released “unrated” on August 29. Cineverse, who will be distributong the film, officially bypassed the MPA this afternoon.
The decision to go unrated stems from the film’s extreme content, which includes graphic violence, strong language, sexual references, and brief nudity—elements that led to its initial struggles in securing a distributor.
Despite its strong reviews, with a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes following screenings at Fantastic Fest and Sitges Film Festival, the film was deemed “unreleasable” by potential distributors due to its graphic nature. Producer Adam Masnyk noted that the film was considered “not safe enough to market,” leading to concerns it might become “lost media.”
Cineverse, known for its success with unrated horror films like ‘Terrifier 3,’ recently acquired the distribution rights and decided to release the film unrated, embracing its vision. Cineverse will clearly be using the non-rating as part of its marketing campaign for the film — they’ve already released a promo image touting “ultra violence, mutant nudity, and piss play” in the film.
This unrated release aligns with the film’s origins as a cult classic from Troma Entertainment, known for its over-the-top violence and satire. For those who aren’t familiar with the original 1984 film, it tells the story of a janitor who gets exposed to toxic waste, turning him into a deformed superhero. He then goes on a mission of revenge.
Blair directed the 2017 Sundance winner “I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore”; “Toxic Avenger” is his sophomore effort. He’s a twisted mind, and I look forward to seeing what he’s concocted in ‘Toxic Avenger.’