Venom: Let There Be Carnage – Reviews, Streaming & Lore

Few superhero sequels arrive with as much baggage as Venom: Let There Be Carnage. After the first Venom film divided critics and thrilled audiences, this follow-up balances fan expectations with a chaotic new symbiote across its critical reception, streaming availability, and franchise implications.

Release year: 2021 · Director: Andy Serkis · Box office gross: $506 million worldwide · Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 57% · Runtime: 86 minutes

Six key details, one pattern: the film’s identity splits sharply between what critics saw and what audiences enjoyed.

Why did Venom 2 get bad reviews?

Critical reception overview

The film holds a 57% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes (the review aggregator), a drop from the first film’s 30% — but the audience score jumped to 84%. The gap between critics and viewers is unusually wide, even for a comic-book movie.

Common criticisms from reviews

• Weak writing and a predictable plot were flagged by multiple outlets.
• Critics said the film “embraces the franchise’s sillier side”.
• Many reviews noted the short runtime left character development thin.

The implication: the film succeeded commercially by leaning into its own absurdity, but the critical drubbing shows that formula has a ceiling.

Where can I stream Venom: Let There Be Carnage?

Streaming platforms availability

In the US, the film arrived on Netflix in February 2023 as part of Sony’s licensing deal (What’s on Netflix (streaming tracker)). It’s also available on Disney+ in the United States and select international markets. If you’re using Roku, you can rent or buy the digital version through Amazon, Vudu, or Apple TV.

Netflix and Disney Plus status

• Netflix US: Available (since Feb 2023)
• Disney+ US: Available
• Not currently on Netflix in UK/Canada (streaming rights vary by region)

The trade-off: if you want the best picture and sound, a 4K disc or digital purchase beats streaming compression, but streaming is far cheaper for a one-time watch. For more on current movie showtimes, check out Movie Showtimes Near Me: What’s Playing in Irish Cinemas Today.

Is Carnage actually Venom’s son?

Symbiote lineage in Marvel canon

In the comics, Carnage is explicitly an offspring of the Venom symbiote — a spawn that bonds with serial killer Cletus Kasady. The film follows this origin: Cletus ingests Eddie Brock’s symbiote-infused blood and becomes Carnage (Sony Pictures (the film’s distributor)).

Relationship between Venom and Carnage in the film

Though the movie doesn’t dwell on the “son” label, the symbiotic connection is clear. Venom senses Carnage as a direct threat — more violent and unstable than any foe he’s faced.

Why this matters: the symbiote hierarchy sets up future villains. If the franchise continues, Carnage’s offspring (Toxin) could appear, but Tom Hardy’s departure leaves that thread dangling.

Is Venom Part 4 coming?

Tom Hardy’s departure rumors

Tom Hardy has stated he will not return as Eddie Brock or Venom in future films. The post-credit scene of Venom: Let There Be Carnage teased a connection to the broader Spider-Man universe, but Hardy’s exit casts doubt on a direct sequel.

Future of the Venom franchise

Venom: The Last Dance (Venom 3) released in 2024 (The Movie Database (film database)), but no official announcement for Venom 4 exists. Sony may pivot to spin-offs featuring other symbiotes or characters introduced in the post-credits scenes.

The pattern: when a lead actor exits a superhero franchise, studios either reboot or shift focus to secondary characters. Sony learned this with Morbius and Kraven — the road ahead is unclear.

Was Venom 3 a flop?

Box office performance of Venom 3

Venom: The Last Dance grossed an estimated $475 million worldwide against a $120 million budget (The Movie Database (film database)). That’s a drop from Let There Be Carnage’s $506 million but still profitable.

Critical reception vs Venom 2

Critics scored Venom 3 slightly lower than the second film, while audience scores remained high. Defining “flop” depends on perspective: it made money but underperformed relative to its predecessor.

For readers interested in similar movie deep-dives, see In the Heights Movie: Where to Watch, Cast, Reviews.

Eight specifications, one standout: the MPAA rating reflects the film’s balance between horror and comedy.

Timeline signal

• 2018 — Venom (first film) released
• October 2021 — Venom: Let There Be Carnage released
• 2024 — Venom: The Last Dance released (TMDb)
• 2025 (rumored) — Possible Venom 4? Unconfirmed

The timeline makes clear: the longer the gap between entries, the harder it becomes to retain audience momentum.

Confirmed facts vs what’s unclear

Key quotes

Eddie Brock and Venom are a co-dependent relationship in which they fight and banter like a couple.

Sony Pictures (official synopsis)

The sequel embraces the franchise’s sillier side.

Rotten Tomatoes (critics consensus)

The pattern: Sony’s marketing leaned into the comedy, while critics panned the lack of depth. The audience, however, came for the laughs.

For fans waiting for a new Venom movie, the choice is clear: enjoy the chaotic ride of Let There Be Carnage while it’s streaming, but don’t hold your breath for a direct sequel. For Sony, the implication is stark: the studio must either reboot the symbiote universe with a new host or let the franchise quietly run out of steam.

Frequently asked questions