Venom: Let There Be Carnage

The highly anticipated sequel to Marvel’s Venom from 2018 just released to theatres on October 2. In the last movie, we were introduced to the main character, Eddie Brock, and the parasitic life-form known as Venom that can possess humans by coming in contact with them. Eddie, after getting involved with the company that brought the parasitic species to Earth, comes in contact with and is possessed by Venom. However, Venom and Eddie become companions over the course of the movie. From the new film’s trailers, we are introduced to a new Venom-like creature, Carnage, and how it possesses a person of it’s own.

As the sequel begins, Eddie Brock and the parasite Venom seem to have a declining relationship. They deal with their relationship throughout the rest of the film. In the midst of this, Eddie, in an attempt to revive his failed career as a reporter, interviews serial killer Cletus Kasady. The interview doesn’t go as planned, and Venom gets upset. In a two second quarrel between Cletus and Venom, Cletus unknowingly contracts the parasite, Carnage, which is later unleashed. As Venom and Eddie struggle with their relationship, they are forced to unite and fight Carnage to save the world.

The film was directed by actor, director, and producer, Andy Serkis, most known for his acting in movies such as Lord of The Rings, animation, and voice work.

Tom Hardy plays Eddie Brock perfectly in the film. Hardy fully portrays the relationship between Eddie and Venom throughout the entire film. They struggle at the beginning to get along, but learn to work together as the movie goes on. In a review from The Telegraph, Tim Robey speaks on their relationship, “The film satisfies all the same, because they’ve figured out what a great stand-up routine Venom can do this time, and Hardy has settled well into being straight man to his own not-at-all-straight alien weirdo.”

Hardy also helps create Eddie Brock as a character that is lonely, but also determined to do what’s right. Cletus Kasady is played by Woody Harrelson, who portrays Cletus as a heartless killer with a strut. Harrelson shows how Cletus’s confidence and persona changed as he is given the power of Carnage.

The acting overall was extremely effective. The setting of the movie was perfect for the film. The inner-city setting allowed for Eddie and Venom to have relationships and interactions with a lot of other characters. The city setting also allowed for multiple scenes that helped build our understanding of Eddie and Venom’s changing relationship throughout the movie.

The visuals as a whole, as well as the appearance of the characters, was very effective. Venom’s appearance as a frightening, dark creature with long teeth and a deep voice is perfect for his character. Although Venom always comes off as scary, he can also show different, humorous sides of himself when messing with Eddie, which makes his appearance a bit ironic at times.

The appearance of Carnage matches his personality well. Carnage is only shown to be a cold-hearted killer with an intent to destroy the world. Carnage and his host, Cletus, have similar personalities as well which seems to make them a perfect match.

Overall, I think the way that Venom and Eddie’s relationship is compared to Carnage and Cletus’s relationship is unique. It’s basically two people that have a powerful being matched up with them that are forced to go against each other. In the end, what matters more is the power of the bond between Eddie and Venom versus the bond of Carnage and Cletus.