Sony's Spider-Man Universe may not yet be as expansive as its Marvel Entertainment counterpart, but the Venom movies have gained a lot of momentum. Their success lies primarily in the relationship between protagonist Eddie Brock and his symbiote, Venom. Venom set the precedent in cultivating an intriguing dynamic between the duo, and Let There Be Carnage continues that trend.
That doesn't mean the movies forget their true source or their genre. Cletus Kasady's Carnage emerges as a particularly dangerous villain, and the external conflict between him and Venom gives other characters the opportunity to shine. Many of them prove their strength, though in some cases, not as directly as Venom or Carnage.
8 Dan Lewis Does His Best To Protect His Fiancee
Anne Weying's fiance, Dan Lewis is a doctor who's suddenly thrust into the middle of a love triangle of sorts. His relationship with Anne is under constant pressure from Eddie and Venom's involvement. Even so, he's strikingly accepting of the two. In Venom 1, he genuinely tries to help Eddie when the symbiote seems to make him sick. He isn't resentful of Anne for always taking chances to help the alien lifeform that's visibly hostile with him.
In Let There Be Carnage, Dan rushes to Anne's aid when she is kidnapped by Shriek and Carnage. He doesn't have any kind of superpowers, but his generosity and affection for Anne are a different kind of strength that even Venom learns to respect.
7 Anne Weying Embraces The Symbiote For Eddie's Sake
Known by comic book readers as 'the Bride of Venom' or 'She-Venom,' Anne is easily one of the most likable characters in the movies. When Eddie inadvertently sabotages her career, she breaks up with him. Anne later forgives him and goes to great lengths to help him, accepting a symbiote within her for his sake. Her inner strength has even drawn Venom in.
In Let There Be Carnage, there's a new obstacle in the relationship between her, Eddie, and Venom, as she finally becomes engaged to Dan Lewis. Her participation in the movie is less significant than in the first one. Even so, the climactic finale of Venom 2 displays the symbiote going from Eddie to Anne and Dan while he struggles to save them from dying in the confrontation with Carnage. This almost seems like a whole new level of polyamory, and it wouldn't have been possible without Anne. Unfortunately, the movie ending displays the characters separating, and it seems unlikely that this relationship will go anywhere.
6 Eddie Brock's Biggest Strength Is In His Final Acceptance Of The Symbiote
A person with many flaws, Eddie is an investigative journalist who's a little reckless with his job and relationship. He loses both when he exploits information from Anne's computer to take down the Life Foundation. Bonding with the symbiote Venom isn't easy for him. Eddie struggles a lot with juggling his life as a human, his relationship with Venom, and the obvious fact that Venom's diet has turned him into a murderer.
In Let There Be Carnage, Venom finally leaves him, primarily due to Eddie's refusal to let him eat humans. But in the end, the two reach a compromise and are completely in sync when they fight Carnage. On his own, Eddie isn't particularly remarkable, but the progression of his relationship with Venom turns him into more. It gives him the strength he needs to set aside his misgivings and embrace a new life.
5 Patrick Mulligan Is An Experienced Police Detective
Patrick Mulligan first appears in Let There Be Carnage as a young police officer taking Frances Barrison from St. Estes Home For Unwanted Children. When she attempts to escape, he shoots her in the eye. Years later, he's forced to confront her again.
An experienced police officer, Mulligan can tell Eddie is keeping information from him, and even takes him into custody. But Eddie isn't Mulligan's true problem, as he is kidnapped by Carnage and given to Shriek as a gift. He tries to fight her off, but he is not at his best and is seriously injured in the confrontation with her. The end of the movie depicts Mulligan gaining superpowers of his own, possibly becoming Toxin.
4 Cletus Kasady Is A Terrifying Serial Killer
Even before bonding with the symbiote, Cletus Kasady is utterly terrifying. A mass-murderer sentenced to execution through lethal injection, he starts his life of crime early, killing his family. While arguing with Eddie, he explains his motives – the fact that he was abused – offering him a layer of depth.
But his tragic background still doesn't change the threat he truly poses. While Cletus isn't depicted as killing anyone on his own, he actually manages to fight off Venom when the angry symbiote lashes out at him, violently ripping a piece of Venom to defend himself. This is what ultimately allows him to turn into Carnage.
3 Shriek's Sonic Screech Makes Her A Fearsome Opponent
The first mutant to show up in the Venom movies, Frances Barrison – also known as Shriek – is one of the better additions to Let There Be Carnage. The source of her powers is never properly explained, which creates confusion, but the threat those abilities pose is noteworthy regardless. Her sonic screech bursts Mulligan's ear drum during her attempt to escape, and is powerful enough to damage structures.
Shriek easily accepts the Carnage symbiote and doesn't back down even when he threatens to attack her. This proves to be Carnage's undoing. Her presence is the element that tips the scale in Venom's battle against Carnage, as Cletus' love for her becomes Carnage's weakness.
2 Venom's Alien Abilities Turn Eddie Into A Nightmarish Creature
Originally captured by the Life Foundation, the symbiote known as Venom has called himself a 'loser' many times in the past. The word doesn't really do him justice. During Eddie's investigation of Carlton Drake, Venom bonds with the reporter. Together, the two have amazing abilities, including superhuman strength and speed, prehensile tentacles, and increased durability. Venom can help his host heal from almost any wound, as evidenced in the finale of Venom 1.
In Let There Be Carnage, Venom displays the full scope of his powers while fighting Carnage. Interestingly enough, the symbiote has some extra advantages over Eddie. He is the one who discovers hints of Cletus's crimes on the walls of his prison, turning Eddie into a hero. Venom's also more open to their relationship than Eddie originally is. But once the two of them reach a consensus, they are in complete sync with each other, which gives them the advantage over the objectively stronger Carnage.
1 Carnage Is Even Stronger Than His Progenitor
One of the Venom's most infamous villains, Carnage is introduced during Cletus Kasady's execution scene. He goes on a rampage through the prison, killing countless officers. After his escape, he also tracks down Frances Barrison and frees her from the Ravencroft Institute. In the process, Carnage destroys a car and even a helicopter.
Venom actually panics upon seeing Carnage, making a frightened comment on Carnage's color. It's hinted that red symbiotes are more powerful and Venom outright states he and Eddie don't have a chance. They only succeed in defeating Carnage because of Frances. The symbiote's anger with Shriek creates a dissonance between him and his host, giving Venom the chance he needs to take him down.