Official film poster of “Venom” used under fair use for editorial review.


Venom: Let There Be Carnage — A Chaotic Carnival of Symbiotes

Introduction
Following the surprising success of Venom (2018), Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021) reunites Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) with his voracious alien alter ego—and introduces a new menace in the bloodthirsty Carnage. Directed by Andy Serkis, this sequel leans fully into the R-rated mayhem, blending dark humor with splashy action as Eddie and Venom begrudgingly team up to stop serial killer Cletus Kasady (Woody Harrelson) after he too bonds with a symbiote. In this review, we’ll examine its plot, standout performances, creature effects, themes, and whether it delivers on its monstrous promise.

1. Plot Overview

Let There Be Carnage picks up mere months after the first film. Eddie Brock is struggling to coexist with Venom’s insatiable appetite—both for brains and for life’s finer things. When Eddie interviews death-row inmate Cletus Kasady (Woody Harrelson), sparks fly—literally—after Eddie’s DNA sample bonds with the psychotic Cletus, transforming him into Carnage. Breaking out of prison, Carnage embarks on a terrifying spree, hunting both Eddie and his former fiancée, Anne Weying (Michelle Williams). Eddie and Venom must learn to cooperate—placing aside their constant bickering—to stop Carnage’s rampage and save innocents. Their reluctant partnership deepens as Venom experiences unexpected “feelings” of loyalty, and Eddie confronts the consequences of symbiote power in a world that fears monsters.

2. Direction & Tone

Andy Serkis, best known for his motion-capture roles, brings expert creature-centric vision to the helm. He balances gross-out violence—gory symbiote tendrils, black goo spewing—with moments of surprisingly tender humor, like Venom’s childlike delight in hotdogs. Serkis stages action with dynamic camera moves: Venom riding shotgun on a motorcycle, Carnage carving bloody paths through city streets. Nighttime lighting—deep shadows offset by neon reflections—establishes a gritty underworld vibe. The film’s R-rating lets Serkis push boundaries: dismemberment is explicit, language unfiltered. Yet he keeps the story moving briskly, interspersing family drama (Eddie’s mother’s wedding) with brutal massacres, ensuring viewers never have a dull moment.

3. Performances

Tom Hardy doubles down on the Eddie/Venom split personality. Physically, he juggles Eddie’s awkward charm—sweaty shirt, nervous glances—with Venom’s bulky swagger and sardonic quips (“You have a voice?”). Hardy’s rapport with himself on set fuels genuine comic timing. Woody Harrelson, chewing scenery as Cletus “Carnage” Kasady, transforms from cackling inmate to crimson symbiote nightmare with manic energy. His rapid delivery and gleeful cruelty make Carnage a memorable foil. Michelle Williams returns as Anne Weying—now married to another man—and provides emotional stakes, grounding the chaos in Eddie’s fear of losing her again. Naomie Harris pops in as Shriek, Carnage’s sonic-powered partner, adding an extra layer of mayhem. The cast’s commitment to over-the-top roles empowers the film’s larger-than-life feel.

4. Creature Effects & Action

Visual effects are the film’s lifeblood. Venom’s slithering form and Carnage’s sinewy red mass feel tactile and alien, with realistic muscle movement and dripping textures. Serkis highlights their contrast: Venom’s bulk versus Carnage’s sinewy brutality. Action set pieces—like Carnage’s breakout from prison and the final showdown in a carnival—utilize inventive symbiote physics: carnage chains flinging cars, tentacles snaking through funhouse mirrors, and streamers of goo raining over terrified onlookers. Practical sparks when metal clashes with symbiote flesh add visceral weight. While some background CGI can appear slightly smooth, the close-ups on the creatures’ grins, razor teeth, and oozing forms always command attention, delivering both disgust and awe.

5. Themes & Character Dynamics

Beneath the carnage, the film explores themes of partnership and identity. Venom’s emergence of “feelings” questions what it means to be alive and capable of attachment. Eddie’s journey from lone reporter to symbiote host challenges his self-worth and moral compass. Cletus’s descent into madness—amplified by a symbiote that shares his bloodlust—underscores how power can corrupt without empathy. The sibling-like rivalry between Venom and Carnage mirrors classic mirror-image villain tropes: both are symbiotes, but one craves protection while the other thrives on destruction. This duality frames the final battle not just as good vs. evil, but as two halves of the same alien coin.

Conclusion & Rating

Pros:

  • Electrifying creature designs and R-rated action

  • Tom Hardy’s committed dual performance

  • Woody Harrelson’s wild, unpredictable Carnage

Cons:

  • Plot occasionally feels like creature montages

  • Supporting characters underutilized amid the spectacle

Rating: ★★★★☆

Did “Let There Be Carnage” satisfy your symbiote cravings? Let us know your favorite moment in the comments or tweet us @ReelMeetsComic!