On October 1, 2021, “Venom: Let There be Carnage,” was released in theaters across the country. This sequel to the first Venom movie focuses more on the connection between symbiote and host.
The first full-length trailer, released on May 10, 2021, promised intense fight scenes and a good degree of humor. Originally, the movie was set to release on October 2, 2020, but due partially to Covid-19 the release was pushed back multiple times.
Sony’s new film features Venom: a black symbiote with a multitude of sharp teeth and extendable tentacles, and Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy): a struggling journalist and the host of Venom. Brock’s many attempts to keep Venom in check are very comedic, especially with the symbiote being decidedly petty. Despite his efforts, the amount of property damage caused by the duo is alarming.
The movie makes it clear that Carnage and his host Cletus Kasady (Woody Harrelson) are the antagonists. Kasady is made out to be somewhat pitiable, but Carnage is simply carnage. Unlike Venom this character lacks any moral code, mercilessly destroying anything it deems in its way.
Compared to “Venom” 2018 the new movie is much shorter, with a run time of 97 minutes.
Sophomore Jacob Emerson, who recently watched the new Venom film, said that the plot of the movie felt “rushed” and too much of the film focused on side stories.
“It didn’t give me the moment I usually get from watching a movie,” Emerson said.
Although the first film alludes to the conflict in this sequel, not much information is given about the two villains. Kasady’s story isn’t bad, just unoriginal. His is the typical sob story that makes you feel a contemptuous pity towards him but it’s all so abrupt that it’s difficult to actually care for this character.
The special effects and action scenes were definitely highlights of this film.
“The CGI and stuff like that, the special effects were really good,” sophomore Hannah Keehn, who enjoyed the movie, stated.
As shown in the trailer, Venom is able to create tentacles. In this way, Venom and Brock were able to communicate and work together. However, it also caused many arguments since each had a will of their own and both were hot-headed.
A lot of character development is seen in the pair. In the beginning, Brock feels a strong resentment towards the symbiote and they are often at each other’s throats. You can sense the underlying frustration in many of their earlier interactions but it is often covered up by slapstick humor.
Later, due to necessity, each must overcome their resentment and work together to fight Carnage. Their understanding of each other greatly increases from that point. For some their relationship hints at more than a bromance, making it unique from other movies in the genre.
“I feel like it had a lot of LGBTQ+ themes which is really cool,“ Keehn said.
To the disappointment of some fans, Spiderman, Venom’s arch-nemesis, does not make an appearance in this movie. Nonetheless, there is plenty of action.
The fight scenes are fast-paced, with multiple characters having the ability to determine the outcome. Seeing it on the big screen really adds to the thrill.
“[The movie] was good, I saw it in theaters which was really nice,” Keehn said. “I think it’s exclusive in theaters right now. It’s nice to see something that’s not streaming.” Since the pandemic, many streaming services have become increasingly popular due to movie theater closures but theaters have reopened.
As of now, the movie is only available in theaters, though you can preorder it for $19.99 on Prime Video. It is unclear whether or not this movie will be available on other streaming services in the near future.
“Venom: Let There be Carnage” is rather light-hearted despite the deranged serial killer and raging symbiote. Depending on what you want from a movie this could be a mediocre or exciting watch, but the carnage won’t disappoint.