When Venom hit theaters in 2018, it surprised audiences with a mix of irreverence, dark humor, and a charismatic performance from Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock, the conflicted journalist hosting an alien symbiote. Despite mixed critical reviews, the film was a box office success, and fans embraced its over-the-top absurdity. It was clear that Venom had the potential to spawn a franchise, and so, Venom: Let There Be Carnage was born, returning with more chaotic action, a new villain in the form of Cletus Kasady (played by Woody Harrelson), and an even wilder ride.
Released in 2021, Let There Be Carnage is a direct sequel to its predecessor and doubles down on the action, humor, and grotesque spectacle that made the original film a guilty pleasure. However, this time around, the film’s story is also heavily influenced by the comic-book arcs surrounding the symbiotes and their violent, unpredictable nature.
Plot Overview
Venom: Let There Be Carnage picks up where the first film left off, with Eddie Brock struggling to balance his life as a journalist and his chaotic symbiotic relationship with Venom. While Eddie tries to keep his life together, the alien symbiote has become increasingly hard to control, with Venom wanting to indulge in violent impulses and relish in the freedom of a less restrained existence. This tension between Eddie and Venom provides the comedic backbone of the film, as their bickering is often as entertaining as the action itself.
The film’s central plot revolves around Cletus Kasady, a deranged serial killer who forms a bond with the symbiote Carnage after a violent encounter with Eddie. When Kasady is on death row, awaiting execution, Venom’s blood inadvertently merges with his, creating Carnage — a more lethal and unstable symbiote with the power to destroy everything in its path. Kasady escapes prison and wreaks havoc, leading to an all-out battle between Eddie and Venom, and the deadly duo of Kasady and Carnage.
As Eddie and Venom’s partnership is tested, they must face off against a force that threatens to outmatch them in both power and ferocity. The film also introduces Frances Barrison (Naomie Harris), a woman with powers of her own who has a deep connection to Cletus Kasady’s past. She becomes a key player in the Carnage narrative, contributing to the growing chaos as the symbiotes fight for dominance.
Tonally Distinct and Comic-Book-Accurate
One of the most noticeable elements of Venom: Let There Be Carnage is the film’s commitment to the chaotic, manic energy of its source material. Director Andy Serkis, taking over from Ruben Fleischer, makes no attempt to create a serious superhero film. Instead, the movie fully embraces its comic-book origins, leaning into absurdity and horror with abandon. The film’s tone is dark, but it also has a quirky sense of humor that is threaded throughout, often as a contrast to the brutality of the action.
Tom Hardy’s performance as Eddie Brock is a central part of the film’s appeal. His oddball chemistry with Venom, the alien symbiote voiced by Hardy himself, remains one of the franchise’s greatest strengths. The back-and-forth between Eddie and Venom, often involving the symbiote’s desire to eat humans and Eddie’s attempts to keep some semblance of morality, provides much-needed levity to what could otherwise be a grim narrative. Hardy’s physical comedy and earnest portrayal of Eddie’s frustration with the symbiote make for both an engaging and hilarious watch.
Venom, with his distinctive voice and over-the-top personality, steals the show in many scenes. The film embraces the absurdity of this partnership: Venom’s childish outbursts, Eddie’s refusal to accept that the symbiote might be right about anything, and their dysfunctional but affectionate dynamic are both charming and comic gold.
At the same time, Let There Be Carnage maintains a gruesome edge. The introduction of Carnage — a character who embodies pure chaos and bloodlust — raises the stakes considerably. Unlike Venom, who has a certain sense of reluctant morality, Carnage is a force of nature, unpredictable and uncontrollable. His violent nature is reflected in his very appearance: sharp tendrils, gnashing teeth, and blood-soaked scenes. The film delivers some brutal, gory sequences, as Carnage’s rampage leaves a trail of destruction and terror. The depiction of his power as a visual spectacle is one of the film’s greatest accomplishments.
The Villains: Cletus Kasady and Carnage
While Venom is portrayed as a reluctant anti-hero, Let There Be Carnage also introduces a far darker antagonist: Cletus Kasady. Played by Woody Harrelson, Kasady is a man who revels in chaos and destruction, a true villain in every sense of the word. Harrelson’s performance is pitch-perfect for the role, bringing a manic energy to the character while maintaining a menacing calmness that makes him feel like an unpredictable and dangerous force.
Kasady’s transformation into Carnage is both visually impressive and narratively impactful. In the comics, Carnage is often portrayed as a more dangerous version of Venom, and the film explores this dynamic by showing how Carnage’s rage and power are unleashed without the restraints of morality or reason. The relationship between Kasady and Carnage is less of a partnership and more of a symbiotic melding of pure evil and uncontrollable rage.
Frances Barrison (Naomie Harris), who becomes the symbiote Shriek, is another fascinating character. Her bond with Kasady is explored in brief flashbacks, adding an emotional layer to her character and her motivations. Though her role is secondary compared to the main showdown between Venom and Carnage, Harris brings a sense of depth to Shriek that makes her more than just a one-dimensional villainess.
Visuals and Action Sequences
Visually, Venom: Let There Be Carnage embraces the comic-book aesthetic with an emphasis on kinetic action and visual flair. The fight sequences between Venom and Carnage are the movie’s crowning achievement, with the two symbiotes engaged in fluid, high-energy combat that blends CGI with live-action seamlessly. The final showdown between Eddie and Venom on one side, and Kasady and Carnage on the other, is a chaotic, CGI-heavy brawl that is both exhilarating and overwhelming.
The film’s color palette is also striking, with vibrant reds and blacks dominating the screen when Carnage is involved. The contrast between the fiery violence of Carnage and Venom’s more subdued and darker tones adds a visual layer to their personalities and conflict. While some may criticize the overuse of CGI and its sometimes overwhelming nature, the visual spectacle is a defining feature of the film, making it an enjoyable watch for fans of big, flashy superhero action.
