Venom

“Venom” is a superhero action movie that combines elements of sci-fi, comedy, and thrill. Released on October 5, 2018, the film is directed by Ruben Fleischer and is based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. The movie stars Tom Hardy in the lead role, bringing the iconic anti-hero to life in a fresh, chaotic, and entertaining way. As part of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, “Venom” creates its unique space, balancing humor with darker themes. The film’s blend of action-packed sequences and quirky dialogue makes it a treat for fans of unconventional superhero tales.

2. Plot Summary

The story revolves around Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy), a journalist known for taking risks to uncover the truth. Eddie’s investigation into the mysterious Life Foundation leads him to an encounter with an alien symbiote called Venom. This creature bonds with Eddie, granting him extraordinary abilities but also causing inner turmoil. As Eddie struggles to coexist with Venom, he uncovers a larger conspiracy led by Carlton Drake (Riz Ahmed), the ambitious CEO of the Life Foundation. The movie follows Eddie’s journey as he learns to harness Venom’s powers while battling internal conflicts and external threats. It’s a rollercoaster ride filled with action, humor, and unexpected twists.

3. What’s Good?

Acting

Tom Hardy’s performance as Eddie Brock is undoubtedly one of the film’s highlights. He captures Eddie’s vulnerability, wit, and determination while also delivering a distinct voice and personality for Venom. Hardy’s ability to portray the chaotic relationship between Eddie and Venom adds depth and humor to the story.

Riz Ahmed brings a compelling mix of charisma and menace to his role as Carlton Drake. Michelle Williams, playing Eddie’s ex-fiancée Anne Weying, delivers a grounded performance that balances the film’s intensity.

Direction

Ruben Fleischer’s direction strikes a balance between humor and action. The pacing keeps the audience engaged, and the film’s lighter tone sets it apart from other superhero movies. Fleischer’s ability to navigate the dynamics between Eddie and Venom adds a layer of unpredictability.

Cinematography and Visual Effects

The film’s cinematography by Matthew Libatique enhances the dark, edgy atmosphere while maintaining clarity in high-action scenes. The visual effects team deserves praise for bringing Venom to life with intricate details and fluid motion. The design of Venom’s character is both terrifying and mesmerizing, perfectly capturing the essence of the anti-hero.

Music and Sound Design

Ludwig Göransson’s score complements the film’s tone, adding suspense and energy to key moments. The sound design plays a significant role, particularly in scenes where Venom’s voice interacts with Eddie, creating an immersive auditory experience.

Humor

The witty banter between Eddie and Venom is a standout feature. Their odd-couple dynamic provides comic relief amidst the intense action, making the film entertaining for a broad audience.

4. Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

• Tom Hardy’s Performance: His dual portrayal of Eddie and Venom is both engaging and memorable.
• Action Sequences: The fight scenes are well-choreographed and visually stunning, especially those involving Venom’s powers.
• Humor: The lighthearted moments and witty dialogue make the movie enjoyable and unique.
• Visual Effects: The detailed design of Venom adds authenticity to the character.

Weaknesses

• Pacing Issues: The first act feels slightly rushed, and some plot elements could have been explored in more depth.
• Predictable Plot: While entertaining, the story follows a formulaic approach typical of superhero origin films.
• Underdeveloped Villain: Carlton Drake’s motivations and backstory lack depth, making him a less impactful antagonist.

Despite these shortcomings, “Venom” succeeds in delivering a fun, action-packed experience.

5. Target Audience

“Venom” is perfect for fans of superhero and anti-hero stories. Its blend of action, comedy, and sci-fi appeals to a wide range of viewers, including teenagers and adults. Fans of Tom Hardy and Marvel Comics will especially enjoy the film. However, due to some intense scenes and dark themes, it’s best suited for audiences aged 13 and above.

6. Box Office Details

Budget and Collection

“Venom” was produced on a budget of approximately INR 840 crores (USD 100 million). The movie was a massive box office success, earning over INR 6,500 crores (USD 856 million) worldwide.

Day-Wise Earnings:

India (in crores):

• Day 1: 9.8
• Day 2: 12.4
• Day 3: 15.6
• Day 4: 8.9
• Day 5: 7.2

Overseas (in million USD):

• Day 1: 35.6
• Day 2: 42.8
• Day 3: 48.2
• Day 4: 30.4
• Day 5: 26.7

The film’s strong box office performance reflects its widespread popularity, fueled by Tom Hardy’s star power and the audience’s love for Marvel characters.

7. Recommendation

“Venom” is an entertaining mix of action, humor, and sci-fi that offers a fresh take on the superhero genre. While it has some flaws, Tom Hardy’s performance and the engaging dynamic between Eddie and Venom make it a must-watch. Whether you’re a Marvel fan or just looking for a fun movie night, “Venom” is highly recommended.

Genres:

Science Fiction, Action

Rating:

6.8/10

Cast:

Actor	Character
Tom Hardy	Eddie Brock / Venom
Michelle Williams	Anne Weying
Riz Ahmed	Carlton Drake / Riot
Scott Haze	Security Chief Roland Treece
Reid Scott	Dr. Dan Lewis
Jenny Slate	Dr. Dora Skirth
Melora Walters	Homeless Woman Maria
Woody Harrelson	Cletus Kasady / Carnage
Peggy Lu	Mrs. Chen
Malcolm C. Murray	Lewis Donate
Sope Aluko	Dr. Collins
Wayne Pére	Dr. Emerson
Michelle Lee	Malaysia EMT / Riot Host
Kurt Yue	Mission Control Translator
Chris O’Hara	Astronaut J. J. Jameson III
Emilio Rivera	Lobby Guard Richard
Amelia Young	Allie
Ariadne Joseph	Eddie’s TV Producer
Deen Brooksher	Drake Interview Guard #1
David Jones	Drake Interview Guard #2
Roger Yuan	Village Eel Shop Owner
Woon Young Park	Malaysia Village Tough #1
Patrick Chundah Chu	Malaysia Village Tough #2
Vickie Eng	Elderly Village Woman / Riot Host
Mac Brandt	Jack the Bartender
Nick Thune	Beardo at Bar
Michael Dennis Hill	Reporter on TV
Sam Medina	Shakedown Thug
Scott Deckert	Noisy Neighbor Ziggy
Lauren Richards	Ziggy’s Girlfriend
Jared Bankens	Isaac / Blue Host
Lucas Fleischer	Guard at Gate
Michael Burgess	Flight Technician
Diesel Madkins	Lab Security Guard
Otis Winston	Chasing Guard
Zeva DuVall	Little Girl / Riot Host
Selena Anduze	Bistro Manager
Brittany L. Smith	Bistro Hostess
Jordan Foster	Waiter
Jane McNeill	Diner #1
Victor McCay	Diner #2
Elizabeth Becka	Diner #3
Ron Prather	Diner #4
Marcia White	Diner #5
Javier Vazquez Jr.	MRI Tech
Ellen Gerstein	Hospital Lady with Dog / Mrs. Manfredi
Martin Bats Bradford	Jacob / Blue Host
Steven Teuchert	Stoner Dude #1
Al-Jaleel Knox	Stoner Dude #2
Brandon Morales	Crowd Control Officer
Matthew Cornwell	Ops Director
David Fleischer	Flight Trajectory Specialist
DJames Jones	L. F. Security Guard
Angela Davis	Evacuating Scientist
Stan Lee	Dapper Dog Walker
Wade Williams	Prison Guard
Ron Cephas Jones	Jack
Christian Convery	Joey – 8 Year Old Boy (uncredited)
Boston Rush Freeman	Trolly Teen #1 (uncredited)
Shameik Moore	Miles Morales / Spider-Man (voice) (uncredited)
Jake Johnson	Peter Parker / Spider-Man (voice) (uncredited)

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