Venom: Let There Be Carnage Review: Eddie Brock Returns

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I have such a soft spot for Venom, and Let There Be Carnage is no different. Eddie Brock and Venom remain a great pairing, and the movie itself is a ton of fun. The story moves quickly, it’s filled with humor, and Carnage as a villain adds an exciting new dynamic. While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the original, there’s still a lot to love about this fast-paced, visually thrilling, and surprisingly emotional sequel. It may not reinvent the genre, but it fully embraces its unique voice and chaotic energy.

Eddie Brock is on the rise, looking to get his career back on track following the events of Venom. Using his relationship with infamous serial killer Cletus Kasady, Brock manages to get the scoop of the decade and reveal the location of all of Cletus’ victims. With concrete evidence of each crime, Cletus is sentenced to death.

During his final visit with Eddie, a piece of the Venom symbiote infects him, creating the ultra-violent Carnage. What follows is a chaotic escape, a rampage across the city, and a final confrontation that tests the limits of Eddie and Venom’s uneasy partnership.

Eddie Brock and Venom are such a fun duo. Their constant banter, the dysfunction of their relationship, and their mutual dependence make for an entertaining watch. Tom Hardy brings both characters to life with real enthusiasm, making their interactions funny, heartfelt, and often chaotic. This sequel digs even deeper into their “odd couple” dynamic, leaning into comedic timing while still grounding their conflict in emotional truth.

The visuals are a major plus. Both Venom and Carnage are beautifully animated, and Carnage in particular gets several terrifying moments. The CGI is impressive, especially in action sequences like the prison breakout scene. This moment, when Carnage is unleashed for the first time, is absolutely jaw-dropping. It’s chaotic, brutal, and a perfect introduction to how dangerous this new symbiote can be. The animation team clearly had fun designing Carnage’s attacks, and it paid off.

The final battle in the church is another major highlight. With shifting alliances, collapsing architecture, and emotional stakes, it’s a spectacular and satisfying finale. Anne and Dan also get more screen time this time around, and both are solid supporting characters. Anne, in particular, gets to do more than just react to Eddie’s chaos, and Dan gets a few good moments of his own. Their expanded presence makes Eddie’s world feel more connected and adds depth to the cast.

The humor works well. The movie leans into situational irony and sharp, sarcastic dialogue. It’s got a tone similar to what we expect from Spider-Man, light, breezy, and self-aware, but with a darker edge and more pent-up anger. The film doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that works to its advantage.

The music and sound design are also strong. The sound effects, especially during symbiote transformations and fights, are great. The end credits songs are catchy and complement the film’s high energy. The soundtrack, while not necessarily groundbreaking, is energetic and fits the chaotic aesthetic of the film.

Shriek is an interesting addition to the cast. Her powers, clearly designed to be annoying for the symbiotes, create a unique threat. Naomie Harris does a great job with the role, and her tragic backstory adds depth. However, it feels like her arc is underdeveloped. How did she get her powers? What was her life like between the asylum and now?

These unanswered questions are some of the more frustrating plot holes. The movie doesn’t need to be 90 minutes, but it is and it feels rushed. Her chemistry with Cletus is intense but leaves you wanting more narrative weight.

The biggest flaw is the overall plot. While the pacing isn’t overly fast, the story feels light and lacks a solid throughline. Scenes jump from one moment to the next without always building naturally. The Eddie-Cletus relationship had potential but feels choppy in execution. Cletus’ motivations are underexplored, and while Woody Harrelson is fun to watch, the character doesn’t feel fully realized.

The middle section of the film drags a little. There are big moments at the beginning and end, but in between, the movie spins its wheels. There’s potential in exploring Venom’s solo adventure or Eddie’s emotional state, but these parts are breezed through. Some of the internal conflict between Eddie and Venom during their “breakup” feels like it’s played more for laughs than actual plot progression.

The stakes never quite build the way they should. The final battle is huge, but the lead-up doesn’t create enough urgency. And at just 97 minutes, the film feels short. Another 15–20 minutes spent on character development and plot would’ve gone a long way.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage isn’t perfect, but it’s a blast. It leans into chaos and humor, and while the plot isn’t airtight, the ride is a lot of fun. It’s not as good as the original Venom, but it’s miles better than the rest of the Sony Marvel slate, Morbius comes to mind. The movie knows exactly what it is and doesn’t pretend otherwise. It’s weird, loud, short, and memorable.

If you liked the first film or are in the mood for something fun, loud, and a bit messy, this sequel delivers.