5 Ways ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ Aged Poorly (And 5 Ways It Aged Masterfully)
The sequel tried many things at once. It mixed a dark villain with a loud buddy-comedy. That choice split viewers then, and it still does now.
With time, some parts look weaker, while others shine. Here are the parts that fell off and the parts that still work, side by side.
Aged Poorly: Thin Villain Motivation
Cletus Kasady wants payback and chaos. That is about it. His plan is simple and repeats the same beats. It leaves little to think about after the credits.
As comic villains grew richer on screen, this one stayed flat. The story gives him few layers beyond anger. That hurts rewatch value. It feels like a missed chance.
Aged Masterfully: Eddie & Venom’s Odd-Couple Comedy
Eddie and Venom bicker like roommates. Their fights are silly, fast, and human. The lines are short and punchy. Many are still meme-worthy today.
This tone sets the film apart from other superhero entries. It is not ashamed to be goofy. That choice gives the movie a unique voice. It still makes people laugh.
Aged Poorly: CGI Clashes Over Clarity
The big battles are busy and dark. Limbs, tendrils, and debris fill the frame. It can be hard to see who is winning. The action often blurs into noise.
Newer films raised the bar on clear creature fights. By comparison, these set pieces look messy. The moments lack clean geography. The impact feels smaller now.
Aged Masterfully: Bold Rom-Com Energy
The movie leans into a breakup-and-makeup arc. Eddie and Venom separate, sulk, and reunite. The beats are simple and funny. It plays like a quirky romance.
That angle was a risk and it paid off. It gives heart to the chaos. Fans still quote the “couple” bits. The chemistry holds the film together.
Aged Poorly: PG-13 Restraint For A Horror Icon
Carnage is a brutal character on the page. On screen, the limits are clear. The threat feels softened. The fear never fully lands.
As audiences got used to darker comic stories, this gap grew. The film teases horror but pulls back. It leaves set pieces without bite. The villain feels less dangerous.
Aged Masterfully: Simple, Fast Story
The plot is easy to follow. Two leads, one rival, one rescue. The goal is clear from start to finish. It wraps up without dragging.
That focus helps it on rewatches. You can jump in at any point and keep up. The film never gets lost in side quests. It respects your time.
Aged Poorly: Post-Credits Tease Confusion
The stinger hints at a major crossover. Hype went through the roof. Later shifts made the tease feel like a detour. Expectations outgrew the payoff.
Looking back, the tease dates the film to a brief moment. It promises a road the series did not fully take. That leaves some fans cold. The button now plays like a bluff.
Aged Masterfully: Box-Office Jolt In A Tough Time
The release arrived when theaters were finding their footing again. Crowds showed up. It gave exhibitors a needed win. It proved people still wanted big, loud fun.
That legacy matters beyond the story. The film helped restart night-out energy. It reminded studios that risks could work. Its success looks even bigger in hindsight.
Aged Poorly: Underused Shriek And Mulligan
Shriek has a clear power and history. Yet she gets little time to grow. Detective Mulligan hints at a future arc. It barely starts before the film ends.
These threads feel like setup without payoff. They could have added depth and tension. Instead, they sit at the edge of the plot. On rewatch, that undercuts the stakes.
Aged Masterfully: Full Commitment To Its Weird
The movie knows what it is. Loud, messy, and funny. It does not chase prestige. It chases entertainment.
That honesty ages well. It gives the film identity in a crowded field. You remember the bickering, the chicken scene, the chocolate bit. The weird is the point, and it still works.
Share your own symbiote-hot takes in the comments—what aged worst, and what aged best?
