Venom: Let There Be Carnage
Direct sequel to Venom with Eddie and symbiote still sharing the same body
The brief
Andy Serkis brings surprisingly coherent direction to what could've been pure chaos, letting Tom Hardy fully commit to the bizarre buddy comedy between Eddie and his alien parasite. The 97-minute runtime feels breezy and purposeful, never overstaying its welcome like so many bloated superhero sequels. Hardy's unhinged performance carries the whole thing, especially when he's arguing with himself in increasingly absurd situations, while Woody Harrelson chews scenery as the gleefully psychotic villain. Perfect for anyone who enjoyed the first Venom's weird energy or wants a superhero movie that doesn't take itself too seriously.
The verdict
If you enjoy gleefully weird superhero movies that embrace their own absurdity and don't mind Tom Hardy having unhinged conversations with his alien parasite, this is a surprisingly entertaining buddy comedy that never overstays its welcome. If you prefer your comic book films grounded and serious or expect sophisticated storytelling, the campy tone and middling critical scores suggest you should look elsewhere.
Watch with
- 👥 Friends who enjoy bonkers superhero movies
- 👫 Fans of the first Venom's weird energy
- ⚠️ Skip if you prefer grounded comic adaptations
Heads up
- Intense symbiote violence and body horror (moderate)
- Serial killer themes and disturbing imagery (moderate)
- Brief strong language throughout (brief)
Credits
- Director
- Andy Serkis
- Cast
- Tom Hardy, Woody Harrelson, Michelle Williams, Naomie Harris, Reid Scott, Stephen Graham, Peggy Lu
Official synopsis
After finding a host body in investigative reporter Eddie Brock, the alien symbiote must face a new enemy,
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023)
Both feature heroes bonding with alien entities while fighting monstrous villains.
Total runtime: 1h 37m + 1h 40m = 3h 17m
