Venom Review

Nathalie Sibal, Co-Copy Editor

Following the LA Premiere on Oct. 1, Marvel/Sony’s Venom had a nationwide release on Oct. 5. Although the film was met with negative feedback from critics, audiences gave it an 89% on Rotten Tomatoes.

 

Six years after his portrayal of Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, Tom Hardy takes on another iconic comic book character. Eddie Brock is an ambitious journalist who is not afraid to seek out the truth. Wanting to expose the Life Foundation’s corrupt and unethical behaviors, he explores their labs to find evidence. Eddie’s mission goes south once an alien symbiote named Venom bonds to him. Throughout the movie, Eddie struggles with his newfound superhuman powers and the consequences that come along with it.

 

The trailers released initially gave the impression that Venom would be nothing but a dark thriller/sci-fi movie. However, the film itself proved to be diverse within its genres. Writers Scott Rosenberg, Jeff Pinkner, and Kelly Marcel created the perfect mix of comedy, action, and even horror that keeps the audience entertained. The combination of these elements transformed Venom into a unique story that distincts itself from other Marvel movies.

 

As a fan of Michelle Williams, it was exciting to see her take on a film vastly different from the usual independent dramas. Williams plays Anne Weying, an intelligent lawyer who is the ex-fiancée of Eddie Brock. Instead of being written as a damsel in distress, Anne is portrayed as a brave, independent spirit always ready to fight back. Despite the terrifying situation Eddie is placed in, she stops at nothing to help out the man she cared for deeply. Anne even goes as far as merging with the symbiote in order to bring him back to Eddie. Her short, yet significant appearance as She-Venom served as a surprise for multiple comic book fans.

Overall, Venom proved to be an enjoyable experience. From riveting chase scenes to an unlikely friendship between man and alien, the film keeps the audience entertained with its numerous twists. As Cletus Kasady/Carnage (Woody Harrelson)  is set to be the next villain, fans eagerly await the next installment that is currently in development.