The return to movie theaters continues with the release of Venom: Let There Be Carnage, the sequel to the 2018 film Venom, which made $856 million worldwide and $213 million domestically. Although the first film was not received well by critics, it was inevitable that a sequel would be greenlit due to the box office numbers. 

Venom: Let There Be Carnage follows Eddie Brock, played by Tom Hardy, continue to adjust to his new life with a symbiote, Venom, living inside of him. After a serial killer gets his hands on a symbiote as well, Eddie and Venom must work together to stop this killer from unleashing carnage. 

The movie stars Woody Harrelson, Naomie Harris and Michelle Williams and is directed by famous actor Andy Serkis, who has portrayed Gollum in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films as well as Caesar in the Planet of the Apes franchise. 

I enjoyed the first Venom, but I realize the film is very sloppy and not well-made. The best part of the film, however, was the relationship between Eddie Brock and Venom. Their constant bantering was a surprising comedic element for a film that looked very dark in tone. Villain Carlton Drake was also a very weak character with no character development, but in the end, Venom is a fun film. 

I am glad to say that this sequel is much better than the first installment. Villain and cold-blooded killer Cletus Kasady is much more terrifying than Drake. Kassady becoming the host of a symbiote creates suspense and worry because who knows what he could do with that power? The banter between Eddie Brock and Venom is dialed up a few notches and continues to be even more comedic than the first time we saw them. If you were not a fan of Eddie and Venom’s relationship in the first film, then you probably would not enjoy this installment. Their relationship is the glue of this film and it doubles down on their established comedic relationship.  

While this is not the best-made film either, I enjoyed it much more than the first film, and I think it is partly due to its runtime. It clocks in at 1 hour and 30 minutes, which allows for a quick-paced story. 

I give this film a 6/10. It is not incredibly well-made, but watching it is an enjoyable time. 

VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE IS NOW PLAYING IN THEATERS EVERYWHERE.