Venom: Let There Be Carnage (Andy Serkis, 2021) Review & Analysis | A Chaotic Sequel That Lost Its Bite
“Venom: Let There Be Carnage” (2021) Review & Analysis — A Chaotic Sequel That Lost Its Bite
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
Director: Andy Serkis
Cast: Tom Hardy, Woody Harrelson, Michelle Williams, Naomie Harris, Stephen Graham
Genre: Action / Sci-Fi / Superhero
Running Time: 97 minutes
Release Date: October 1, 2021
OTT: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
A Sequel That Fails to Match the Original
Venom: Let There Be Carnage promised to build upon the wild, chaotic fun of the first Venom movie — but instead, it delivers a rushed, disjointed experience that lacks both the humor and the heart that made its predecessor work.
Directed by Andy Serkis, the film continues the story of Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) and his alien symbiote Venom as they face a new threat in the form of Cletus Kasady (Woody Harrelson), a deranged serial killer who becomes host to a violent symbiote named Carnage.
While the setup hints at a dark, thrilling showdown between two chaotic forces, the execution feels flat. The film races through its story without allowing its characters or emotional stakes to develop.
The Problem of Tone — Comedy Over Chaos
The first Venom succeeded because it embraced its absurdity while still giving audiences a sense of emotional connection. Let There Be Carnage doubles down on the comedy but forgets to build tension or depth.
The banter between Eddie and Venom, once charming and unpredictable, now feels repetitive and forced. The humor overshadows the action, and the action, in turn, lacks any real weight.
Instead of the psychological conflict between man and monster that made the first film compelling, the sequel plays more like an awkward buddy comedy trapped inside a superhero story.
Carnage — A Wasted Opportunity
Woody Harrelson’s Cletus Kasady had the potential to be one of the most memorable villains in the Sony Marvel Universe. The character’s introduction teases menace and madness, but once Carnage is unleashed, the film never truly explores his relationship with the symbiote.
The villain’s motivations feel underdeveloped, and the climactic battle, though visually loud, lacks emotional or narrative impact.
In a movie titled Let There Be Carnage, one would expect chaos, horror, and intensity — instead, we get a sanitized, CGI-heavy spectacle that ends before it even begins to thrill.
Visuals and Action — Style Without Substance
While the visual effects are competent and the symbiote designs remain striking, the action sequences are surprisingly forgettable.
The final showdown inside a cathedral should have been the emotional and visual peak of the film, yet it feels more like a video game cutscene than a cinematic climax.
The editing is frantic, and the pacing is so quick that there’s no room for suspense. The film’s short runtime (just 97 minutes) might make it breezy to watch, but it also prevents any real build-up of tension or storytelling depth.
Performances — Hardy Carries, But Can’t Save It
Tom Hardy once again gives his all to the dual role of Eddie and Venom, infusing it with manic energy and physical comedy. However, even his commitment can’t overcome the weak script and shallow dialogue.
Michelle Williams and Naomie Harris are given little to work with, and their characters feel more like afterthoughts than integral parts of the story.
Woody Harrelson seems game for the role, but the movie never lets him fully embrace the chaos that defines Carnage in the comics.
Themes and Missed Potential
At its best, Venom is about duality — the conflict between man and monster, control and chaos, isolation and connection. Let There Be Carnage gestures toward these ideas but never dives into them.
The relationship between Eddie and Venom could have been explored as a metaphor for codependency or inner conflict, but instead, it becomes a string of punchlines.
The movie misses the opportunity to deepen its mythology or expand its emotional reach. What could have been a dark, character-driven story instead feels like a rushed, studio-mandated sequel.
Verdict — A Noisy but Hollow Follow-Up
Venom: Let There Be Carnage is not without moments of fun — a few witty exchanges and Tom Hardy’s unhinged energy keep it from being a total disaster.
However, compared to the first film’s offbeat charm and surprisingly emotional storytelling, this sequel feels like a hollow echo.
For fans of superhero spectacle, it may be a passable diversion. But for those expecting a step forward in story or tone, Let There Be Carnage is a major step backward.
Final Thoughts:
Despite its flashy visuals and star power, Venom: Let There Be Carnage struggles to justify its existence. It’s a film that mistakes noise for excitement and humor for heart — ultimately proving that sometimes, less chaos would have been more.
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