Netflix’s Toaster (2026) is a pitch-black Hindi comedy-thriller that is definitely not the "brave little" reboot you might be expecting; it’s a chaotic, TV-MA-adjacent dive into murder and extreme greed that’s better suited for your older teens than your elementary schoolers.
TL;DR: Toaster (2026) is a dark, absurdist thriller on Netflix about a man whose obsession with reclaiming a wedding gift leads to a body count. While the title sounds harmless, Screenwise gives it a WISE score of 42/100 for families due to its cynical tone, mature themes, and violent mishaps. If you’re looking for a mystery that’s actually family-friendly, skip the appliance drama and try Glass Onion or Enola Holmes instead.
Screenwise Parents
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Released on April 15, 2026, Toaster follows Ramakant, a man so "kanjoos" (miserly) he makes Ebenezer Scrooge look like a philanthropist. When a wedding he gifted an expensive toaster to gets called off, he decides he’s getting that appliance back—even if he has to break into a house to do it.
Naturally, things go south. The toaster isn't just a kitchen appliance; it becomes a literal accessory to murder and the keeper of a political secret. It’s a "crime of errors" where the humor comes from how much people are willing to destroy their lives over a piece of stainless steel.
If you’ve heard your kids mentioning "the toaster" or seen weird kitchen appliance memes on TikTok or YouTube, here’s why:
- The Absurdity Factor: Gen Z and Gen Alpha love "brain rot" humor—content that is so nonsensical it becomes funny. A movie where a toaster is the central antagonist/witness fits that vibe perfectly.
- The "Miser" Memes: The main character’s extreme cheapness has sparked a wave of "Ramakant Core" videos where people brag about the ridiculous lengths they go to save five cents.
- The Cast: Rajkummar Rao is a huge name in dark comedy, and his performance is being clipped and shared across social media for its frantic, high-anxiety energy.
This is one of those movies where the "comedy" label can be a bit of a trap. Here’s the no-BS breakdown of the content:
Violence and Mayhem
It’s a thriller first. While the violence is often played for "dark laughs," there are still dead bodies, blood, and some pretty tense sequences involving weapons. It’s not a slasher film, but it’s definitely "adult-consequence" violence.
Mature Themes
There is a significant amount of "edgy" humor. One subplot involves an older woman making unwanted, aggressive advances on a younger man, which some reviewers have found more cringey than funny. There’s also plenty of salty language and "slang" that might have you reaching for the remote if you’re watching with younger kids.
The "Cynicism" Factor
Screenwise often looks at the "moral weight" of a show. Toaster is deeply cynical. Almost every character is motivated by greed or self-preservation. If you prefer media that leaves your kids with a "good lesson," this isn't it. The lesson here is basically "don't be a jerk over a toaster," but even that gets lost in the chaos.
If your family wants a mystery or a comedy without the "murder-accessory" vibe, consider these Screenwise-approved picks:
- For a Great Mystery: Knives Out or The Afterparty. They offer the "whodunnit" thrill with a much more balanced tone.
- For Quirky Tech Humor: The Mitchells vs. The Machines. It deals with "sentient" tech but in a way that is actually heartwarming and visually stunning.
- For "Non-Brain-Rot" Gaming: If your kids are obsessed with the memes, maybe redirect that energy into Stardew Valley or Terraria. Both are great for building "entrepreneurial" skills without the dark cynicism of the movie.
If your teen has already seen it (or you decide to watch it together), use these prompts to move past the "brain rot" and into some actual critical thinking:
- The Cost of Greed: "At what point did Ramakant’s 'saving money' actually start costing him more in his life and relationships?"
- Surveillance Culture: "The toaster in the movie 'sees' everything. Do you ever think about how much our 'smart' home devices are actually tracking?"
- Satire vs. Reality: "This movie is a satire. What part of society or human behavior do you think the director is actually making fun of?"
Q: Is Toaster (2026) okay for a 10-year-old? No, it’s generally not recommended for kids under 14 or 15. The dark humor, murder plot, and sexualized "cringe" humor are aimed squarely at adults and older teens.
Q: Why is everyone on TikTok calling it "burnt"? "Burnt" has become the go-to slang for the movie because many critics felt the script "thinned out" and failed to stick the landing. It’s also a pun on the title—the movie starts strong but ends up "overcooked."
Q: Does the toaster actually talk? Without giving too much away, it’s not a sci-fi movie. The toaster doesn't have a voice, but it "speaks" through the secrets hidden inside it. It’s a MacGuffin—an object that drives the plot—not a character like Wall-E.
Toaster (2026) is a "watch it if you're bored and like dark Indian comedies" kind of film. It’s not a must-watch, and it’s certainly not for the little ones. If your kids are begging to see it because of a TikTok trend, they’ll likely find the actual 2-hour runtime "mid" compared to the 15-second clips they saw online.
Ask our chatbot about more age-appropriate thrillers
Check out our guide on navigating dark comedy with teens