Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Noisy violence and forced comedy in poor super-sequel.
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Venom: Let There Be Carnage
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 18 parent reviews
Based on 82 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is an entertaining action-packed sequel with more humor and violence than the original, making it suitable for a fun night with friends; however, many reviewers note that the comedy can feel forced and that the film's pacing is quick and sometimes confusing. While some appreciate the darker themes and character development, others criticize it for excessive violence and suggest it isn't appropriate for younger viewers.
- action-packed
- forced comedy
- quick pacing
- excessive violence
- not for kids
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE, Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) is still learning how to live as a host to alien symbiote Venom, but his career is going well, even if his former partner, Anne (Michelle Williams), has announced that she's going to marry Dr. Dan (Reid Scott). Eddie is asked to visit the cell of imprisoned serial killer Cletus Kasady (Woody Harrelson). Kasady promises to let Eddie have an exclusive on his life story if he'll print a message that's intended to go to Kasady's true love, Frances Barrison (Naomie Harris), who's secretly imprisoned for possession of a deadly super-power. But Venom finds a clue to the location of one of Kasady's victims, which condemns Kasady to execution. During Eddie's final visit to his cell, Kasady bites the reporter and swallows some of his blood, turning him into Carnage, an even bigger and more deadly version of Venom. With both Carnage and Frances on the loose, Eddie must make peace with his other half and save the day.
Is It Any Good?
With poorly chosen "comedy" moments that consist mainly of shouting and action elements that are mainly noise and smashing, this sequel misses every chance to come together in a satisfying way. Directed Andy Serkis, Venom: Let There Be Carnage (which follows 2018's hit Venom) starts off with a supposedly comic situation, as Eddie and Venom argue and shout about how things are going to be. They're like a more violent, less funny version of Shrek and Donkey. The movie has no idea how to weave the situation of Venom occupying Eddie's body into clever or physical humor. It's all forced and graceless. Unlike, say, Steve Martin and Lily Tomlin in 1984's excellent body-sharing comedy All of Me, every attempt at a similar situation here -- such as Eddie ducking into a women's bathroom to argue with Venom -- falls completely flat.
As Carnage, Harrelson sometimes manages a few wry line-readings, but he also frequently stumbles on his chunky, villainous dialogue, as does Harris. (This is the kind of movie wherein one of Carnage's first lines is "Let's get this party started!") Normally a bold performer, Williams perhaps fares the worst of anyone in the cast; in her one big scene, Anne must use her "feminine wiles" to convince Venom that he's sexy, just before she's kidnapped and held captive for the rest of the movie. The action is a blur, with mounting destruction and no human interest or consequences. It's difficult to care as either buildings crumble or victims are dispatched. On the plus side, the Venom visual effects are quite impressive, and the movie is swiftly paced, which means it's over fairly quickly.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Venom: Let There Be Carnage's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
How has Venom changed over the course of the three movies, from Spider-Man 3 and the first Venom to this one? Did you like this version better? Worse? Why?
How do Eddie and Venom demonstrate teamwork? How does teamwork fit into the rest of the story?
When Detective Mulligan says that secrets are always trying to get out and that's why it's so hard to keep them, what does he mean? Is it good to keep secrets sometimes? Why, or why not?
The villains here begin their rampage by seeking revenge. What's the appeal of revenge? Does it ever solve anything?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 1, 2021
- On DVD or streaming : December 14, 2021
- Cast : Tom Hardy , Michelle Williams , Woody Harrelson
- Director : Andy Serkis
- Inclusion Information : Middle Eastern/North African Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Sony Pictures Releasing
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Superheroes , Fantasy
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : intense sequences of violence and action, some strong language, disturbing material and suggestive references
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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