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The most fascinating thing about movie streaming charts is that they reveal many surprise resurgences in popularity. Films that once limped out of theaters with mixed buzz suddenly find second lives once they’re available to subscribers. The latest example of an unexpected comeback came with 2021’s Venom: Let There Be Carnage, a release many fans initially dismissed.
The Tom Hardy movie served as the second chapter in what ultimately became Sony’s Venom trilogy. Directed by Andy Serkis and introducing Woody Harrelson as the infamous Carnage, expectations were surprisingly high. With bigger action, a new villain, and Hardy leaning further into the chaos, Sony's pre-release marketing made Let There Be Carnage look like the franchise’s breakout moment.
However, the high hopes for the second Venom movie were quickly dashed when its theatrical run began, as reflected by its lukewarm 58% Rotten Tomatoes score. Still, time has apparently been kind. Since landing on Disney+ in January, Let There Be Carnage has surged in popularity and now sits at number three on the platform’s charts (via FlixPatrol), proving that curiosity and cult appeal can outlast theatrical run disappointment.
Venom: Let There Be Carnage Wasn't Much Of An Improvement
The Sequel Tightened The Formula But Never Fully Escaped The First Movie’s Flaws
Venom: Let There Be Carnage wastes little time getting to the chaos and picking up where Venom left off - though it doesn’t take things much further. Eddie Brock and Venom (both Tom Hardy) were already established in Venom as an odd-couple double act, bickering over dietary choices and crimefighting etiquette in equal measure.
Let There Be Carnage leans into this dynamic, sharpening the comedy and embracing the absurdity that only briefly surfaced in the first movie. That tonal shift is easily the sequel’s biggest improvement. Where Venom sometimes felt torn between gritty antihero drama and slapstick, the sequel leans into the reluctant buddy cop schtick.
Director Andy Serkis also streamlines the pacing compared to Venom. At just around 90 minutes, Let There Be Carnage moves fast, cutting filler and delivering set pieces in quick succession. The prison break, church showdown, and citywide rampage keep the action lively, while the brighter cinematography gives the symbiotes more visual clarity.
Woody Harrelson’s Cletus Kasady brings welcome comic-book theatricality to the Venom sequel. Once bonded with Carnage, he becomes a full-on slasher villain, reveling in mayhem and giving Venom an antagonist that better matched his personality than Riz Ahmed’s Carlton Drake/Riot in the first film.
Sadly, however, the potential of Woody Harrelson as Carnage doesn’t quite pay off, even if it is a more endearing choice of villain. Carnage is one of Spider-Man’s most iconic adversaries, but the movie barely scratches the character’s menace. His backstory feels rushed, and the film speeds past foundational emotional moments in favor of quick jokes and fights.
Ultimately, Let There Be Carnage has a more distinct tone than Venom, but it doesn’t lean enough into its strengths to feel like a leap forward for the franchise. It’s more confident, funnier, and tighter, yet still feels like a missed opportunity for something bolder and truly unhinged. Still, this doesn't change the fact it's absolutely worth watching as a casual and fun sci-fi romp.
Why The Venom Movies Did So Well At The Box Office Despite Poor Reviews
Star Power And A Beloved Antihero Proved Stronger Than Critical Scores
A key paradox of the Venom trilogy is that critical reactions have never fully aligned with the franchise’s financial success. All three Venom films earned mixed-to-poor reviews, yet ticket sales told a different story. Audiences kept showing up, and the numbers were difficult to ignore.
The simplest explanation why Venom was always a safe bet at the box office for Sony is the character himself. Venom has been a fan favorite since his comic debut, evolving from Spider-Man villain to antihero headliner. For many viewers, just seeing the hulking symbiote rendered in live action was reason enough to buy a ticket, regardless of reviews.
Tom Hardy’s presence elevated that appeal. By 2018, when Venom released, he was already known for transformative performances in Mad Max: Fury Road, The Dark Knight Rises, and The Revenant. His reputation for intensity and commitment gave the franchise a credibility boost that few superhero spinoffs get.
It’s also worth noting that Hardy also goes all in with his performance, and that’s always been evident in the trailers for Venom, Let There Be Carnage, and 2024’s The Last Dance. His portrayal of Eddie Brock is weird, twitchy, and borderline cartoonish, and that unpredictability becomes the franchise's secret weapon when it comes to getting audiences into theaters.
Rather than playing a standard hero, he treats Eddie and Venom like two clashing personalities fighting for control of the same body. This dynamic turned the Venom films into crowd-pleasers, and is likely why Let There Be Carnage is experiencing a streaming resurgence. The humor plays big, the action is accessible, and the stories don’t require heavy MCU homework.
The Venom trilogy feels closer to early-2000s superhero movies. They’re self-contained and slightly messy, which can be refreshing. They succeeded financially because they deliver exactly what fans expect: a loud, chaotic antihero spectacle powered by a movie star clearly having fun, even when critics remain unconvinced.
Is Tom Hardy Done With Eddie Brock?
The Actor Seems Open To Returning But The Character’s Future Remains Uncertain
After completing the Venom trilogy, there are currently no concrete plans for Tom Hardy to return as Eddie Brock. Sony has kept the character’s next move under wraps, and no standalone sequel has been officially announced.
Still, Hardy hasn’t closed the door. As recently as 2025, he has said he would happily come back, especially if it meant finally sharing the screen with Spider-Man. For years, fans have wanted that crossover, since Venom’s comic-book legacy is deeply tied to Peter Parker.
The post-credits scene in Let There Be Carnage briefly connected Eddie to the MCU multiverse, teasing exactly that possibility. Although the follow-up quickly reversed the setup, it proved that Sony and Marvel are at least willing to play in the same sandbox.
Rumors also continue to swirl about Tom Hardy Eddie Brock/Venom appearances in massive ensemble projects like Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars. However, nearly every Marvel character imaginable has been linked to those movies at one time or another, making speculation unreliable at best.
Until official announcements arrive, Venom’s future remains up in the air. But given the franchise’s box office strength and Hardy’s enthusiasm, it’s hard to imagine Sony shelving the character permanently. For now, Venom: Let There Be Carnage stands as a reminder that even divisive superhero sequels can find redemption. With streaming audiences rediscovering it, Eddie Brock’s story may not be over just yet.
Release Date October 1, 2021
Runtime 97 minutes
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Woody Harrelson
Cletus Kasady/Carnage
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