Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)

Last updated:
October 20, 2024

Detailed Summary

Eddie Brock’s Struggles with Venom

Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) is trying to get his life back on track while coexisting with the alien symbiote Venom. Their relationship is tumultuous, marked by frequent arguments and Eddie’s attempts to control Venom’s violent tendencies.

Cletus Kasady’s Transformation into Carnage

Eddie visits serial killer Cletus Kasady (Woody Harrelson) in prison to interview him, hoping to revive his journalism career. During one visit, Venom lashes out, and Cletus bites Eddie, ingesting some of Venom’s symbiote. This leads to Cletus transforming into Carnage, a powerful and malevolent symbiote.

Carnage’s Rampage

Carnage helps Cletus escape from prison, and they embark on a violent spree, targeting those who wronged Cletus. Cletus reunites with his long-lost love, Frances Barrison (Naomie Harris), also known as Shriek, who has sound-manipulating abilities.

The Final Showdown

The climax takes place in a cathedral where Eddie and Venom confront Cletus and Carnage. The battle is intense, with Shriek using her powers to disorient Venom and Carnage. Eventually, Venom manages to defeat Carnage by exploiting the symbiote’s vulnerability to sound. Eddie and Venom consume Carnage, and Eddie bites Cletus’s head off, putting an end to his reign of terror.

Aftermath and Reconciliation

After the battle, Eddie and Venom go on the run, continuing their uneasy alliance. They reflect on their relationship and the need to work together to survive.

Movie Ending

The film ends with Eddie and Venom watching TV in a tropical location, having fled the chaos. In a surprising mid-credits scene, they witness a strange event that seems to transport them to another universe, where they see Tom Holland’s Spider-Man on TV, hinting at a crossover with the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

Yes, there is a mid-credits scene that teases a crossover with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, specifically hinting at Venom’s potential involvement with Spider-Man.

Type of Movie

“Venom: Let There Be Carnage” is a superhero action film with elements of science fiction, horror, and dark comedy.

Cast

Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock / Venom
Woody Harrelson as Cletus Kasady / Carnage
Naomie Harris as Frances Barrison / Shriek
Michelle Williams as Anne Weying
Reid Scott as Dan Lewis
Stephen Graham as Detective Mulligan

Film Music and Composer

Marco Beltrami composed the film’s score. The soundtrack features a mix of suspenseful and action-oriented music, perfectly complementing the film’s tone.

Filming Locations

San Francisco, California: Various city scenes were filmed here, maintaining continuity from the first film.
London, England: Some scenes were shot in London, doubling for American locations.

These locations contribute to the urban and gritty atmosphere of the movie.

Awards and Nominations

The film did not win any awards, but it received several nominations. These include:

People’s Choice Awards 2021:
- Movie of the Year
- Male Movie Star of the Year (Tom Hardy)
Visual Effects Society Awards 2022:
- Outstanding Compositing and Lighting in a Feature
AACTA Awards 2022:
- Best Visual Effects or Animation

These nominations primarily came from audience choice awards and technical categories, reflecting the film’s popularity with viewers and its visual effects work.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Tom Hardy’s Involvement: Hardy was heavily involved in the creative process, including writing parts of the screenplay.
Woody Harrelson’s Performance: Harrelson embraced the chaotic nature of his character, adding layers of unpredictability to Cletus Kasady.
Symbiote Effects: Extensive use of CGI to bring Venom and Carnage to life, with a focus on making the symbiotes’ movements fluid and realistic.

Inspirations and References

Comic Books: The film is based on characters from Marvel Comics, specifically the “Venom” and “Maximum Carnage” storylines.
Previous Installments: Builds on the foundation set by the first “Venom” film, expanding on the relationship between Eddie and Venom.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Deleted Scenes: Various scenes that provided more background on Cletus’s early life and his relationship with Shriek were cut for pacing.
Alternate Endings: There are no widely known alternate endings, as the film’s conclusion aligns with its intended setup for future crossovers.

Book Adaptations and Differences

While not directly based on a single book, the film draws heavily from various Venom and Carnage comic book arcs. Differences include condensed plotlines and altered character relationships to fit the cinematic format.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Prison Break: Cletus’s transformation into Carnage and subsequent escape from prison.
Cathedral Battle: The climactic fight between Venom and Carnage in the cathedral.
Mid-Credits Scene: The teaser showing a potential crossover with Spider-Man.

Iconic Quotes

“We are Venom.” – Venom
“There’s gonna be carnage.” – Cletus Kasady
“I am a predator.” – Venom

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Daily Bugle Reference: The appearance of the Daily Bugle hints at a connection to Spider-Man’s universe.
Carnage’s Origin: The film subtly nods to Carnage’s comic book origin with visual and dialogue cues.
Ravencroft Institute: The facility where Shriek is held is a famous location from the comics.

Trivia

Tom Hardy provided the voice for both Eddie and Venom, often recording Venom’s lines in advance and playing them back to himself on set.
The film was directed by Andy Serkis, known for his expertise in motion capture and CGI characters.
Woody Harrelson wore a wig for his role as Cletus Kasady to match the character’s comic book appearance.

Why Watch?

“Venom: Let There Be Carnage” offers a thrilling ride with intense action, dark humor, and a captivating performance by Tom Hardy. Fans of the first film and the wider Marvel universe will appreciate the character development and the hints at future crossovers.

Director’s Other Movies

Breathe (2017)
Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle (2018)