Is ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ a huge waste of time?

The Venom franchise was never going to be high art. Looking back on the 2018 movie, all we can see is baffling decisions on the part of, well, everyone. We’re still not entirely sure why Jenny Slate is pronouncing symbiote like she is. Why is Tom Hardy speaking in that weird accent? Michelle Williams, somehow, survives being Lady Venom only to make-out with Hardy in order for him to be Venom while Lady Venom?

It’s . . . it was a whole thing. Plus, well, the developing relationship between Eddie & Venom in the film? It made people feel some type of way. Between Venom and The Shape of Water, 2018 was truly a banner year for monsterf***ers. Despite all of this, Venom was not a good movie in the sense of being a good movie. It was good in the sense that it was silly, campy, and generally fun.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage is the Andy Serkis directed sequel to the original film. While we can’t wait to see Woody Harrselson chew on the scenery as serial killer Cletus Kasady/Carnage, we’re not expecting it to get the same reviews as say Logan. It’s not that kind of movie. Here’s the big question: does a film like Venom: Let There Be Carnage have to be “good” to be worth your time? 

The long and short answer? No

Here’s the frustrating thing about listening to media or media criticism or whatever have you, there’s always this expectation that if something is “bad”, then it’s not worth watching. In reality, there’s like two versions of “bad” in the media. Well, there could be more, but for sake of the argument? Let’s say just two. There’s just flat out unwatchable, but there’s also “so bad it’s good”. 

For many people, Venom falls under the “so bad it’s good” category. Again between baffling choices in terms of acting and the narrative? It’s a pretty fun watch if you like campy, over-the-top sort of stories. If the 2018 trailer for the first movie made you laugh? Chances are that you enjoyed Venom whenever you got around to watching it whether in video or in the comfort of your own home. 

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying something that’s fun. A “so bad it’s good” sort of product is, to the people watching it, genuinely fun to watch. Or, at least, allows people who like to spectate online to get a high of enjoying people freak out about it. Like when critics posted their reactions to 2019’s Cats or whatever the heck happened on November 5th, 2020. 

Chill out and have a good time

Venom: Let There Be Carnage will only be a “huge waste of time” if you go in with that attitude. Again, you have Woody Harrelson & Tom Hardy chewing the scenery every which way for the feature length film while Michelle Williams clearly enjoys her break from prestige pictures. On top of that, it sounds like those involved want to give the monsterf***er fans what they want: a love story.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, director of Venom: Let There Be Carnage Andy Serkis called the relationship between Eddie and Venom “the central love affair” of the upcoming movie. Honestly? Yeah. From Venom making Eddie breakfast to the pair of them bickering like a married couple, it’s clear that the film will lean into what fans want to see.

So if you want to see The Shape Of Water, but make it a one-body love story about a disaster of a man with an alien symbiote inside of him as they fight as serial killer with his own symbiote? Then, you know what? Go see it. It sounds bananas. We all watched Sharknado when it came out. Go and enjoy something unironically because it brings you joy! 

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Are you excited to see Venom: Let There Be Carnage? Let us know in the comments below.