It feels like every story ever made is currently slated for a remake, but at least they’re not all devoid of creativity. A good remake can be an opportunity to redefine or update an origin story with more depth, and there’s no better example of that than Macon Blair’s The Toxic Avenger.
Blair took Troma’s splatterpunk superhero movie and imbued it with an exploration of how unfair the healthcare industry can be; instead of the original’s bullied loner, this movie’s hero is Winston Gooze, a janitor trying to support his stepson. But when he’s diagnosed with a brain issue that requires treatment not covered by his healthcare plan, he seeks revenge by becoming The Toxic Avenger. That revenge isn’t just fictional: the studio behind the movie is helping real-life victims.
