The 2018 release of Venom didn't receive the best response from critics. Audiences, however, seemed to enjoy the film, as it was a massive box office success. The second installment in the series, Let There Be Carnage has brought fans of Tom Hardy's Eddie Brock back into theatres, expecting more action of the symbiote variety.

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Let There Be Carnage pits Venom against one of his most iconic villains, Carnage. The psychopath Cletus Kasady is joined by his lover, Frances Barrison, also known as Shriek. Her presence adds a whole new level of danger to the movie, thanks to her sonic scream ability. But beyond the fight with Carnage and Shriek, Eddie is often his worst enemy, and his conflict with Venom steals the show.

8 Shriek Escapes Officer Mulligan Only To Be Captured Anyway

Naomie Harris as Shriek in Venom 2

Let There Be Carnage begins with a flashback from 1996. In the scene, Frances Barrison tells Cletus she is being transferred from St. Estes Home for Unwanted Children to the Ravencroft Institute. Both Frances and Cletus are distraught at the imminent separation. The young police officer Patrick Mulligan – who is in charge of the transfer – receives the brunt of Frances's displeasure.

While on the way to the institute, Frances attacks him using her sonic scream. Mulligan shoots her in the eye and believes for many years that she has died. In reality, she is captured again and taken to Ravencroft, where she is imprisoned in a special cell resistant to her powers.

7 The Argument Between Eddie And Cletus Sets The Basis For The Ensuing Tragedies

Woody Harrelson as Cletus Kasady in Venom: Let There Be Carnage

In the present day, Cletus Kasady, an imprisoned serial killer, asks to see Eddie Brock and agrees to give him a detailed interview in exchange for him including a specific message. While there, the symbiote finds clues of Kasady's past crimes, allowing Eddie to track down Kasady's victims and making him a public hero. As a result of Eddie's actions, Kasady's execution by lethal injection receives a green light.

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In a rage, Kasady invites Eddie to his execution. The two have a sharp exchange, which leads the unstable Venom to lash out at Kasady. In the process, Kasady bites on the symbiote, allowing him to inherit Eddie's powers.

6 Carnage Goes On A Rampage During Cletus' Execution

Carnage vs security guard

Following Eddie's departure, Cletus is strapped down and prepared for execution at Saint Quentin State Prison. As he receives the lethal injection, the symbiote now in his body rejects the toxic substance and bonds with the serial killer. Now enveloped in a cocoon of deep crimson, Cletus – or better said, Carnage – attacks everyone in his path, unleashing utter havoc. Carnage takes great pleasure in killing the officers, turning himself into a lethal tornado and ripping through guards before escaping.

5 The Conflict Between Carnage And Cletus Doesn't Get A Lot Of Screen Time, But Is Incredibly Relevant

Venom: Let There Be Carnage poster with Woody Harrelson

The main reason for Venom's victory over Carnage is the fact that the symbiote isn't completely in sync with Cletus. During the climactic battle, Carnage is incredibly angered by Frances's screeching and even attacks her. This leads to Cletus actively trying to separate himself from the symbiote in an attempt to protect her. This is something that is inconsistent with Carnage's history in the comics.

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Part of what makes the comic book version of Carnage so dangerous is the fact that his bloodthirst matches Cletus's to perfection. The two have a shared goal of unleashing as much death on the world as possible. Where Venom always refers to himself and Eddie with a plural – We are Venom – Kasady always says I am Carnage. In that sense, even if the conflict between Carnage and Cletus Kasady doesn't get a lot of screen time, it's very important. Let There Be Carnage's take adds depth to Cletus's personality, as it becomes clearer than ever that his affection for Frances is genuine.

4 Carnage Infiltrates Ravencroft To Save His Lover

Shriek and Carnage from Venom: Let There Be Carnage

After his escape, Cletus goes on the run and the first thing he does is track down his lost lover in Ravencroft. He manages to infiltrate the institute with ease, kills members of the staff, and frees Frances. In the aftermath, Carnage and Frances make their escape, but they are followed. Cletus uses the symbiote's abilities to attack their pursuers, much to Frances's delight. Throughout the confrontation, Carnage targets a car and a helicopter, revealing just how destructive he can be.

Frances then unleashes her own power. Her sonic screech frightens the symbiote and even causes it to threaten her. In some ways, Carnage's attack on the prison guards is more intense, but the emotional depth of Cletus' reunion with Frances and the symbiote's issue with Shriek elevates the scene.

3 The Confrontation Between Shriek And Mulligan Leads To Unexpected Consequences

Shriek close-up

After burning down their former orphanage, Frances and Cletus team up to destroy the targets for their revenge. Carnage hunts down Patrick Mulligan and offers him to Shriek as a wedding gift. Meanwhile, Frances kidnaps Eddie's former fiance, Anne Weying, to lure Eddie and Venom to the cathedral where the wedding is taking place. Venom and Carnage start to fight, while Frances takes out her anger on Mulligan.

The confrontation predictably doesn't end well for the officer, leading viewers to believe Frances has viciously killed him. In reality, he survives and is shown at the end with his eyes glowing blue. This may suggest a possible future transformation into Toxin, which is the path his character took in the comics. Considering the enmity between Eddie and Mulligan in Let There Be Carnage, that definitely seems like the direction the franchise may be headed in.

2 The Final Confrontation Between Venom And Carnage Is Intense

Carnage Venom

As expected, the climactic battle between Venom and Carnage unleashes a great deal of destruction in the cathedral. Venom doesn't think he and Eddie can win, but with Anne kidnapped, he doesn't have a choice. Throwing Shriek's abilities into the mix makes things more complicated for everyone, not just Venom. Her violent screeching hinders Carnage, disturbing the symbiote and also causing the cathedral's bell to collapse.

Meanwhile, Venom has allies of his own, with Anne and her new fiance Dan Lewis there to back him up. In the end, Venom is able to separate Cletus from his symbiote. He devours Carnage, then decapitates Cletus. The confrontation is intense, but considering the importance of Carnage in the comics, some fans may feel it just wasn't enough.

1 The Fight Between Venom And Eddie Adds A Lot To Their Character Arc

Venom 2 Eddie

The fight between Venom and Eddie is not the most intense battle scene in the movie. It's more the equivalent of an argument between lovers than anything else. Perhaps that's what makes it so relevant. Angered after their argument with Cletus Kasady, Venom and Eddie explode at each other over their differences. Venom is frustrated over Eddie's refusal to let him eat brains like he's supposed to, while Eddie is still under a lot of pressure over sharing his life with a symbiote.

In the end, Venom leaves Eddie and starts possessing other people in the city. He soon finds that none of his hosts are able to survive him for too long. Meanwhile, Eddie is struggling with having to potentially face an enemy symbiote without his own symbiote ally. The two are reunited through Anne's efforts. Their original argument adds a lot to their character arc, and they realize they are stronger together than they are apart.

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