Venom 2018 - journey begins
Hello, symbiote fans!
Today, we’re diving into the chaotic, dramatic, and utterly captivating world of one of Marvel’s most iconic anti-heroes—Venom. If you’re here, chances are you’re just as intrigued by this symbiotic enigma as I am. From Eddie Brock’s complicated life to his fateful union with an alien organism, Venom’s story is as wild as it is fascinating.
Sony Pictures has given us a trilogy to dissect, and while it’s an adaptation that takes liberties with comic book canon, there’s no denying its impact on fans. Whether you love it or find it a tad controversial, it’s time to discover if this trilogy is worth your time. For now, let’s kick things off with the very first film—Venom (2018). With Tom Hardy stepping into the role of Eddie Brock, expectations are high. So grab your popcorn, and let’s find out if Venom’s cinematic debut delivers.
Eddie's new beginning
The film opens with a bang—or rather, a crash. A spaceship carrying mysterious samples crashes in Malaysia. Something clearly went wrong on board, as no crew member survives—well, almost none. Amid the wreckage, a government team recovers strange containers housing alien lifeforms. Unfortunately for them, one sample escapes, possessing the injured Captain John Jameson (yes, J. Jonah Jameson’s son). This alien lifeform—the symbiote—immediately demonstrates its deadly capabilities by hijacking Jameson’s body and violently dispatching anyone in its way. It seems unstoppable as it searches for a suitable host, jumping from one body to another while leaving carnage behind.
Venom 2018 - Riot first time reveals himself in massive carnage.
Meanwhile, we shift to sunny San Francisco, where Eddie Brock wakes up next to his stunning girlfriend, Anne Weying. Eddie’s introduction paints him as a brash yet talented investigative journalist who thrives on tackling dangerous and controversial stories. His latest assignment is an interview with Carlton Drake, the shady billionaire behind the Life Foundation, who claims to be on a noble mission to save humanity by exploring new planets.
Venom 2018 - Eddie is taking interview with Carlton Drake.
During the interview, Eddie’s blunt and aggressive approach causes chaos. He brings up Drake’s numerous lawsuits—an off-limits topic—and his career pays the price. Eddie is fired, Anne is let go from her law firm due to Eddie’s antics, and their relationship falls apart. Things couldn’t get worse for Eddie—or so he thinks.
As Eddie’s life crumbles, the escaped symbiote continues wreaking havoc. It possesses a doctor in a Malaysian market, feasts on raw eel, and slices through anyone who dares confront it. Eventually, it abandons its host and takes over an elderly woman, continuing its relentless journey to find a perfect match.
Six Months Later
In Drake’s lab, his team conducts experiments to bond the symbiotes with human hosts. Compatibility is key—without it, the host dies. Unsurprisingly, the experiments have been deadly.
Meanwhile, Eddie’s life has hit rock bottom. He’s broke, single, and living in a dingy apartment. Even meditation can’t bring him peace, thanks to his noisy guitar-playing neighbor. His days of investigative glory seem long behind him.
Venom 2018 - Drake conducts the first test on a human to assimilate the symbiote.
Drake’s experiments escalate. He manipulates test subjects into believing they’re part of a grand cause, only for them to meet gruesome ends when their bodies reject the symbiotes. Drake’s reckless methods are baffling—why not try other hosts instead of wasting these rare creatures?
Dr. Dora Skirth, a scientist working for Drake, grows increasingly uneasy with his methods. She contacts Eddie, hoping to expose the truth. Initially reluctant, Eddie eventually agrees, motivated by a desire to take down Drake. With Dora’s help, Eddie sneaks into the lab, where he discovers horrifying evidence of the experiments—including the body of a homeless woman he recognizes. In a desperate attempt to save her, Eddie accidentally bonds with a symbiote.
Venom 2018 - How do you feel when you will reveal that something Venom like lives inside your body.
From here, things take a turn for the bizarre. Eddie begins to exhibit incredible strength, agility, and reflexes, much to his confusion. The symbiote, now fully bonded with him, communicates directly, sending Eddie’s life into a spiral of chaos and dark humor.
The Birth of Venom
Eddie’s newfound abilities attract Drake’s attention, and a team is sent to capture him. However, the symbiote—revealing itself as Venom—helps Eddie fend them off with brutal efficiency. As their bond deepens, Venom reveals its plans: it originally came to Earth as part of an invasion force, but now it has decided to stay.
Venom 2018 - Moment when Symbiot completely revealed his true nature.
Meanwhile, another symbiote, Riot, bonds with Drake. Riot’s goal is to launch a rocket and bring more symbiotes to Earth. Venom, realizing that Riot’s plan would spell doom for both Earth and itself, decides to team up with Eddie to stop the invasion.
The Climactic Showdown
The final act sees Venom and Riot clash in a brutal, CGI-heavy battle. Riot’s superior strength and weaponized symbiote abilities make him a formidable opponent, but Eddie and Venom’s teamwork ultimately prevails. They sabotage the rocket, killing Riot and Drake in a fiery explosion. However, Venom seemingly sacrifices itself to save Eddie, leaving him devastated.
Venom 2018 - What you gonna do when Venom is coming for your head?
Or does it? In a heartwarming twist, Venom reveals it survived, and the duo embraces their new partnership. Eddie sets ground rules for their co-existence: they’ll only harm bad people. The film ends with Eddie confronting a petty thief, letting Venom have a little fun with justice.
Post-Credit Tease
In the obligatory post-credit scene, Eddie visits a maximum-security prison to interview none other than Cletus Kasady, the deranged serial killer who will eventually become Carnage. Kasady cryptically promises a “carnage” when he escapes, setting the stage for the sequel.
Cons and Pros
The first time I watched this film, I wasn’t impressed. However, upon revisiting it, my perspective has shifted somewhat. Let’s start by discussing the downsides before moving on to what makes this movie shine.
Cons:
Lack of an R rating.
I firmly believe the film would have benefitted from a more mature approach. An R rating could have fully unleashed the violent and gruesome nature of Venom. Instead, most of the head-biting and destruction were kept off-screen, which softened the impact of Venom’s savage personality. I missed the raw brutality that would have highlighted the alien’s darker nature.Eddie feels too soft.
In the comics and animated series, Eddie Brock wasn’t a maniac or sadist—he was driven by revenge. But here, he comes off as overly soft. While it’s understandable at first that tearing people apart might seem extreme, shouldn’t the symbiote have influenced his mindset? Plus, most of these people were trying to kill Eddie! The “no bad guys rule” felt misplaced; he’s not Spider-Man, after all. Venom is an alien who should prioritize his own interests and those of his host, and I hope Eddie becomes tougher in the sequels.Lack of backstory for the aliens.
While we didn’t get much information about Venom, Riot’s character was even less developed. All we learned is that Riot seems to be better trained than Venom. But who is Riot? Why would others follow him? What makes him so powerful? None of this was explored, which left me searching for answers outside the film. I would have loved more depth on this in the story itself.Few references to the Marvel universe.
Sure, I didn’t expect Spider-Man to appear, but a few nods would have been nice. For example, Eddie mentions moving from New York but doesn’t explain why. Comic fans know it’s because of Peter Parker, yet this isn’t addressed. While we know Cletus Kasady is coming in the sequel, the lack of ties to other Marvel characters felt like a missed opportunity.Altered timeline.
Traditionally, Spider-Man wore the symbiote suit before Eddie Brock did. This created the personal rivalry between the two. Sony decided to skip this part, altering the timeline. Whether this was due to the multiverse or simply a creative choice, it deviates significantly from the source material.
Pros:
Despite these drawbacks, the film undeniably has its own unique charm.
Tom Hardy’s charisma.
Tom Hardy might not perfectly match the canon Eddie Brock, but his portrayal was compelling. He captured the essence of a man grappling with strange transformations while maintaining Brock’s individuality. And honestly, how would any of us handle being fused with an alien symbiote?Venom’s design and personality.
There’s little to critique here. Venom looks almost exactly like his iconic depiction in the 1994 animated series and modern comics. A hulking, grotesque monster with an enormous mouth and the ability to reshape his body—it’s all spot-on. What’s more, the film emphasizes that Venom isn’t just a “bad suit” but a fully realized character with his own desires and ambitions. While more comedic than menacing, this choice worked to highlight his bond with Eddie.
Venom 2018 -Anne and Brock just before that cursed interview.Non-stop action.
The pacing of the film kept me engaged, with colorful and well-choreographed action sequences. The CGI was top-notch, which is exactly what you’d expect from Sony.Excitement for the sequel.
The post-credits scene and the film’s financial success made a sequel inevitable. Knowing Cletus Kasady is next on the list adds to the anticipation.Inspiring curiosity.
Although I criticized the lack of backstory for the symbiotes, I found myself diving into Marvel lore to learn more about them. This film sparked my curiosity and made me eager to explore the broader universe.
Final Conclusion
Overall, Venom is definitely worth watching. Tom Hardy delivers an outstanding performance, the humor lands well, the action is thrilling, and the visuals are spectacular. While it might not follow the source material to the letter, it introduces one of Marvel’s most iconic characters in a way that’s accessible to new audiences.
Venom 2018 - "We are Venom" - most iconic moment in the movie.
Though it’s not a film I’d revisit every year, I thoroughly enjoyed my rewatch three years later and felt compelled to share my thoughts. Now, I can’t wait to dive into the second movie and eventually the third installment, which released this year.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more!
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