Venom: Let There Be Carnage arrived in theaters October 21st, 2021. This film by Andy Serkis is uproariously funny. It may not be very child appropriate, though, so maybe don’t take a ten-year-old to see this movie. Teenagers, however, will love it.

   MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR VENOM AND VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE

   It begins with Eddie Brock trying to retake his career as a journalist with the story of serial killer Cletus Kasady, who was introduced in an end-credit scene in the first movie. Kasady is fascinated with him, and taunts Eddie with the knowledge of where he buried some of his victims, which the police are still trying to figure out. However, Venom helps Eddie figure out where the victims are buried using some of the drawings on the walls of Cletus’ cell.

   The whole scene is hilarious, as Venom tries to help Eddie’s “tiny human brain” figure out the meaning of the drawings. Eventually, Eddie figures it out and publishes his findings. This is when we find out that the death penalty has been reinstated for Cletus, and that he has invited Eddie. When Eddie goes to visit him before, Venom tries to start a fight and Cletus bites Eddie’s hand. This causes Carnage to enter Cletus’ body. Eddie flees, and he and Venom have a fight that separates the two.

   The ensuing scenes where they mope as they are apart from each other are some of the best ones in the movie. Meanwhile, Cletus Kasady has bonded with Carnage in a horrifying scene that maximizes body horror, escaped, and murdered half the prison he was being kept in. He then goes to find his girlfriend, Shriek (she is introduced briefly at the beginning of the movie and has the ability to scream at high frequencies), who is being held at an underground maximum-security prison run by the government. He frees her and they burn down several buildings in the ensuing rampage.

   With this new threat, Eddie and Venom have to make their way back to each other (with the help of Anne and Dan), having learned from their time apart and prepared to work on their relationship. Since the first movie, Venom and Eddie have grown accustomed to each other, but they are still working on their relationship.

   In the ensuing final fight, Eddie and Venom work together to save Anne and the rest of the city using the power of their friendship. The whole thing is cheesy and ridiculous, but it works to make the movie that much more appealing, in an odd sort of way. After the fight, they become fugitives and run away to the beach.

   CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS FOR THE END CREDIT SCENE OF VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE

   The best part, however, is the end credit scene at the end of the movie, which officially links the world of Venom and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In it, Eddie and Venom are sitting in their hotel room when they are suddenly transported to an alternate universe, where on a TV you see Tom Holland’s Peter Parker in his Spiderman suit, mask off. This officially means that Venom and Eddie are joining the MCU.

   END SPOILERS

   The CGI is fantastic, and the actors seem to enjoy their roles. The elements of body horror can make one squirm, but the overall effect is intriguing to watch. Venom: Let There Be Carnage’s plot does leave some things to be desired, but the overall effect of the movie is fun and random. It’s not a masterpiece by any means, but it’s still a fun way to enjoy your evening.