Director: Andy Serkis
Starring: Tom Hardy, Woody Harrelson, Michelle Williams, Naomie Harris, Reid Scott, Stephen Graham, Peggy Lu
Distributor: Sony Pictures
Runtime: 97 mins. Reviewed in Dec 2021
Reviewer: Fr Peter Malone msc

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Rating notes: Science Fiction themes, violence and coarse language

The next episode in Marvel Universe’s Venom series – San Francisco, journalist Eddie Brock and his Symbiote, Venom, up against the criminal Cletus who has his own Symbiote, Carnage. Building up to a huge confrontation within a cathedral under repair.

Watching Venom, there was a nagging temptation to think that this was all rather silly. More than a bit silly. In fact, much more than more than a bit silly. However, this is the Marvel Universe and all things are possible.

A quick Google to Symbiote and Wikipedia offers this information: a fictional species of extra-terrestrial symbiotes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, most commonly in association with Spider-Man. The symbiotes form a symbiotic bond with their hosts, through which a single entity is created. They also are able to slightly alter their hosts’ personalities, and/or memories by influencing their darkest desires and wants, along with amplifying their physical and emotional traits and personality, granting them super-human abilities. There are more than 40 known symbiotes in the Marvel Universe. It then goes on to say that Venom is the best known!

In the original Venom (2018), journalist Eddie Brock (Hardy) experienced a professional failure found himself – suspension of disbelief required – being inhabited by the Symbiote, Venom. By this stage, they are used to each other, even having bantering conversations as Venom prepares his favourite foods.

The original film also introduced a love interest for Eddie, Anne (Williams) but she has opted for a safer life with Dr Dan Lewis (Reid). In times of difficulty, however, Eddie relies on Anne.

The original film also introduced the mad Cletus (Harrelson, his character allegedly about 17 in the opening sequence but, 24 years later, with a hairpiece, he looks certainly 50+). Cletus has developed his own Symbiote, Carnage. Also in the mix is Cletus’ fellow-institution inmate, Frances (Harris, rather a long way from her Miss Moneypenny in the Bond films).

Another player is a policeman against whom Frances has vowed vengeance, Detective Mulligan (Graham) who has no time for Eddie.

There is an elaborate climax in a vast cathedral under repair, the interruption of the wedding between Cletus and Frances, a huge build-up to a gigantic fight between Venom and Carnage.

Again, the temptation is to think that this is all a bit silly. But, as must be, most of the fans are enthusiastic.