Venom, a member of the extraterrestrial symbiotic species called Klyntar, and his host and ally, Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy,) returns to theaters in the United States starting Oct. 1 for an anticipated sequel, “Venom: Let There Be Carnage.” This time, the two of them face three new villains. I can say for certain that this is another MCU film that will not disappoint its viewers.
The majority of the audience loves the second film of the franchise despite it only receiving 59% on Rotten Tomatoes. Fans obviously appreciate the improved story, writing, and attention to background information compared to the 2018 Venom movie – it made $100 million at the box office within its first 5 days. Following Tom Hardy’s poorly-rated Capone film from 2020, this is an amazing piece of redemption.
Whether you are a new fan or a very knowledgeable fan of the MCU, I highly recommend this movie, but I’d say to watch the first Venom movie first. Fair warning about violence and graphics in case it may be too much for younger or vulnerable viewers.
Going back to the first movie, Venom was among the symbiotes captured by a corporation founded by Carlton Drake, portrayed by Riz Ahmed, who has done research on their species ever since they arrived on Earth.
Toward the end of the first movie, Brock and Venom confronted Riot and Drake. In the sequel, chaos has come. I won’t spoil so much of the movie, but I will spoil the origins of our new villains.
The sequel focuses on the host-symbiote relationship between Brock and Venom, and it introduces another symbiote to the audience. A red symbiotic, Carnage, who is known for his terrorizing nature.
Carnage is another member of the Klyntar whose color is a taunting red. He’s known for his color, rampage and his most famous host, Cletus Kasady (Woody Harrelson.)
Kasady is a known serial killer who is held at San Quentin State Prison. He writes strange markings and speaks like a storyteller with a quiet tone.
In the Marvel comics, Carnage is usually loyal and supportive of Kasady’s nihilistic nature. In the movie, Kasady gains the drop of the Carnage symbiote after Venom responds furiously to him, leaving a drop on Kasady’s lips. Kasady then swiped it onto his finger, observed it and then ate it. Compared to the comics, the film clung to the origin that a remaining drop of Venom was what entered Kasady.
Meanwhile, there is another antagonist who is familiar with the serial killer. As you probably noticed from the trailer, there is a woman whose ability is related to screaming.
That is Frances Barrison (Naomie Harris,) the love interest of Kasady. Her screaming ability allows her to irritate others with a shrieking sound. In the comics, Barrison is known as Shriek.
“Venom: Let There Be Carnage” starts off with the backstory of Kasady and Barrison at St. Estes’ Home for Unwanted Children. Barrison is taken away to the Ravencroft Institute and Kasady is furious as they take away his love.
As they head toward the asylum, Barrison uses her scream abilities to escape.
Young officer Patrick Mulligan, (Stephen Graham,) shoots her in the eye and believes he killed her. However, Barrison was taken to a facility and kept in a space that was built to withstand her power.
Fast forward to the present, where Kasady is held up at San Quentin. Kasady only wants to talk to Brock, who is trying to keep his career afloat. After a visit, Brock and Venom notice markings in a room before leaving. Venom figures out that those writings reveal where Kasady buried his victims, Rodeo Beach. This discovery of the burial site becomes a story that puts the spotlight on Brock. It also changes the serial killer’s sentence to the death penalty. Kasady and Brock meet one last time before the serial killer is expected to receive the lethal injections.
During that last confrontation is when Kasady receives the drop of the new Carnage symbiote.
When Kasady was about to receive the final injection, Carnage blocked it from entering his system and helped him escape the prison. Afterwards, the two of them agree to break Barrison free from the facility, and in exchange, Kasady helps Carnage find Brock and Venom.
The three of them travel to St. Estes Home for Unwanted Children to burn it down.
At the same time, Venom and Brock get into a fight resulting in the two of them parting from each other. Venom travels from person to person while Brock goes back to his normal pre-symbiote life.
Mulligan questions Brock since he was Kasady’s main visitor before he bonded with Carnage. After being convinced by Brock’s ex-fiancee, Anne Weying, (Michelle Williams,) Venom decides to resolve and rejoin with Brock.
In an attempt to lure Brock and Venom, Kasady, Carnage and Barrison kidnap Mulligan and Weying. Barrison tells Weying’s fiance, Dr. Dan Lewis, (Reid Scott,) on her whereabouts.
Kasady and Barrison plan to be married at a local cathedral when Brock and Venom show up to fight Carnage.
The fight begins with the two being evenly matched until Carnage overpowers Venom. While Carnage decides to drop Weying from the top of the Cathedral tower, Venom manages to catch up and reduce her in time. Barrison uses her shrieking sound powers one more time to separate the symbiotes from their hosts. Venom reconnects with Brock in time to save him from the fall. Carnage slowly crawls to Kasady, but Venom picks up his spawn and swallows him whole. While Kasady reveals that he only wanted to befriend Brock, Venom still decides to bite his head off.
The mid-credit scene shows Brock and Venom taking a break from the action. While Venom tells Brock about the symbiotes’ knowledge of the multiverse, there is a flash and they are transported to a different, much nicer room. While they observe the room, the news comes on about the revealed identity of Spider-Man, Peter Parker, portrayed by Tom Holland. That’s where the scene ends before the rest of the credits roll.
This movie is a perfect sequel following the first Venom movie. Writer Kelly Marcel and Hardy, who wrote the first installment, did a really good job with the story, characters, and scenes.The story in the sequel involves more behind-the-action scenes with Venom and Brock. Although this film shows more of the conflict the two experience with each other and how they would manage if they were going their separate ways.
On the other hand, with the origins of Kasady and Barrison, the glimpses of their nature, and what happened after Carnage teamed up with Kasady. I left without any questions about them because the sequence of events for their characters were seamless.
The arrangement of each scene in the movie isn’t a mess and it’s easy for audiences to follow along. That can be crucial because if a movie is sloppy, even in terms of order or storyline, and the audience notices, it won’t be considered a good movie.
The sequel has a new director, Andy Serkis, who was hired partially because of his specialty in CGI and motion-picture films. Those qualities were pivotal for the portrayal of the two symbiotes in this film.The results of these qualities were great. Carnage and Venom didn’t look even flat and the quality didn’t decline compared to the first movie. Especially in the final fight, every scene with those two looked very realistic.
The end credit scene ties in neatly with another Marvel storyline. I hope Twitter didn’t spoil it for everyone again.Whether audiences like the first or second movie better, from the storyline to the subtle hints, fans will love “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” nonetheless. It’ll be interesting to see what’s next for Venom as he enters the MCU.
Gibran Beydoun is a writer for The Express. Follow him @Gibran580MSCM
