REVIEW: The Toxic Avenger (2025 film) - Starring Peter Dinklage

Review by Jon Donnis

Macon Blair's reboot of The Toxic Avenger is exactly the sort of noisy, grimy revival fans hoped for. It is the fifth instalment in the series and a remake of the 1984 original. The film knows what it is, an ultra-violent, black comedy that mixes cartoonish gore with broad satire and a measure of heart. It will delight those who came for the shock value and unsettle anyone expecting a straightforward superhero picture.

Peter Dinklage leads the charge as Winston Gooze, a downtrodden janitor who is transformed after a catastrophic toxic accident. Dinklage brings a steady humanity to the role. He makes Winston more than a mask of green fury. When the story asks for pathos, he supplies it. Jacob Tremblay is touching as Wade, Winston's stepson, giving the film its emotional centre. 

Taylour Paige's J.J. Doherty adds fire as the whistleblower whose actions kick some of the plot into motion. Kevin Bacon is gleefully sleazy as company boss Bob Garbinger, and Elijah Wood supplies a twitchy intensity as Fritz. Luisa Guerreiro, credited as the suit performer, does the physical work of the Toxic Avenger with commitment.

The plot is straightforward, which serves the film well. There is a corrupt pharmaceutical company, BTH. There are thugs, a mob connection, a whistleblower in danger and a community under threat. From those raw ingredients Blair assembles a string of violent set-pieces, gross-out gags and darkly comic encounters. The film leans into parody more than into earnest reinvention. It is loud, filthy and frequently funny. Moments of genuine feeling sit between the carnage, so the film never becomes merely a parade of shocks.

That said, it is not flawless. The storyline is thin by design, and at times it feels like a series of skits linked by blood and bile. A few jokes overstay their welcome and the middle section can meander. At about 100 minutes the picture runs a little long for its material. If you want tight plotting and subtlety, this is not the Toxic Avenger to choose.

But those are small complaints in a film that mostly knows its audience. Blair respects the source by keeping the tone filthy and anarchic, while allowing the core relationship between Winston and Wade to give the film an emotional anchor. There are throwaway scenes that land beautifully and others that do not. Overall, the sheer commitment on screen keeps the momentum going. Performances are uniformly strong, the satire lands often enough, and the film finds a strange affection beneath its nastiness.

The Toxic Avenger is not a film for everyone. It will offend, it will shock and it will laugh at its own grotesquerie. For viewers willing to embrace that, it is a raucous, often touching reboot that pays its respects to the original while firmly staking its own claim. I score it an 8 out of 10.

Out Now at https://apple.co/4ozVYwU

REVIEW: The Roses (2025 Film) - Starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman

Review by Jon Donnis

Jay Roach's The Roses is a sharp, 2025 reimagining of Warren Adler's novel and a remake of the 1989 film. At its centre are Theo and Ivy Rose, played by Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman, whose picture-perfect marriage slowly unravels. The film trades in domestic chaos, escalating cruelty, and the bitter humour that comes from watching a couple dismantle each other's lives.

Where it really works is in the performances. Cumberbatch and Colman are magnetic, effortlessly balancing humour and menace. Watching them go to extremes to torment each other is both shocking and strangely charming. The chemistry between them makes the first two-thirds of the film a delight, as their playful banter and petty battles over parenting and career jealousy feel very real. There are genuinely funny moments sprinkled throughout, and the film nails the absurdity of modern marriage with surprising precision. Divorce has rarely looked so entertaining.

The humour lands well, especially in the domestic squabbles that feel familiar to anyone with kids or a busy household. Andy Samberg and Kate McKinnon as friends add light, unpredictable moments that break up the tension without ever feeling over the top. These scenes balance the chaos with everyday reality, keeping the audience engaged throughout.

But the film is not without flaws. By softening its comedy as not to offend the woke crowd, it loses some of the bite that made the original so memorable. Moments of nastiness feel restrained, and the escalation of cruelty, while entertaining, never fully shocks or surprises. It is entertaining, but it does not linger. Compared with the 1989 film, it is simply not as daring or memorable. The storyline sometimes feels safe, even when the plot allows for darker comedy.

Despite these limitations, The Roses is a solid one-time watch. It provides enough laughs to justify sitting through it, thanks largely to the leads' strong performances. It balances the ridiculous with the relatable, making the central relationship fascinating even at its most vicious. The movie knows when to be chaotic and when to be tender, but it never fully commits to the darker satire it hints at.

The Roses delivers on performance and comedy but plays it safe with the dark humour. A decent watch, enjoyable and entertaining, but unlikely to stay with you after the credits roll. I score The Roses 7 out of 10.

Out Now on Apple TV

https://apple.co/3UZSuqR

REVIEW: Eddington (2025 Film) - Starring Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal,

By Jon Donnis

Eddington is a sprawling, intense film that tries to say a lot about modern America through the lens of a small town caught in a bitter standoff. Joaquin Phoenix leads the charge as Joe Cross, a sheriff who clashes with the town’s mayor, played by Pedro Pascal, over pandemic rules and power. It’s a story about how fear, politics, and misinformation can tear communities apart, but the film often struggles to balance its many ideas. At times it feels like it wants to cover everything all at once, which makes the narrative feel heavy and a little unfocused.

Phoenix is magnetic as always, delivering a performance full of tension and frustration that grounds the film. Emma Stone is a strong presence too, playing Joe’s wife with a mix of vulnerability and volatility that adds emotional weight. The supporting cast, from Austin Butler’s cult leader to Michael Ward’s deputy, bring interesting energy, but some characters feel lost in the shuffle. The film runs long, over two hours, and the pacing suffers because it tries to juggle so much without always making it clear what it wants to say.

One of the film’s weaknesses is that it doesn’t really pick a side, showing both the town’s divisions without leaning into a clear viewpoint. While that might be intentional, it leaves the satire feeling somewhat neutral and less sharp than it could be. Some plotlines aren’t fully developed, and the story can wander, which might leave viewers wanting more focus and clarity. It’s a lot to take in, and at times the film feels like it bites off more than it can chew.

Still, Eddington has its moments of dark humour and raw insight into how paranoia and conflict can escalate. The violence hits hard and feels real, never cheap. The film demands patience and attention, rewarding those willing to sit with its messy, complicated portrait of a community unraveling. It’s not an easy watch, and some might find it slow or confusing, but it stands out for its ambition and strong performances, even if it doesn’t always deliver a fully satisfying story.

I score Eddington a safe 6 out of 10.

Out Now

Apple TV - https://apple.co/4eWD8fQ