---
title: "Venom"
year: 2018
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/venom"
fi1m_id: "venom"
imdb_id: "tt1270797"
tmdb_id: 335983
wikidata_id: "Q23006268"
fi1m_score: 51
critics_score: 40
critics_reviews: 22
published: "2026-10-05T14:32:32.620173+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-05T14:32:33.103592+00:00"
region: "BR"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Venom (2018)

Directed by Ruben Fleischer · 1h 52m · ClassInd 14 · Science Fiction, Action

## Identity

Venom

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/venom
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** venom
- **IMDb ID:** tt1270797
- **TMDB ID:** 335983
- **Wikidata ID:** Q23006268
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1270797/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/335983, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23006268

**Fi1m score: 51** · Critics 40 from 22 reviews

*In a sentence:* Tom Hardy arguing with himself is a decent reason for a scene, but a thin excuse for an entire film

> Tom Hardy makes Eddie and Venom an entertainingly awkward pair, but the film around them is a muddle. Thin writing and anonymous digital fights keep interrupting the one relationship worth watching.

## Synopsis

Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) is a journalist who finds himself sharing his body with Venom, a symbiote with a voice of its own. Eddie wants to stay in control, but the creature has its own ideas about how their arrangement should work. Anne Weying (Michelle Williams) and Carlton Drake (Riz Ahmed) are drawn into his predicament as his behaviour becomes harder to explain. Even a lobster tank becomes part of the trouble. Eddie has to deal with the people around him while arguing with a second personality that will not leave him alone.

## Review

Tom Hardy’s comic performance is the only persuasive reason to sit through *Venom*, and it is not quite enough. Ruben Fleischer has a potentially funny pair in Eddie Brock and the symbiote that shares his body. Their bickering gives a familiar superhero origin story a few welcome moments of bad manners, and there is something endearing about their inability to leave one another alone. The action is muddled, though, and the creature is treated so cautiously that there is little danger in spending time with it.

Tom Hardy lets Eddie’s confusion affect his whole body. The twitchiness and awkward movement give the conversations with Venom a comic life beyond the lines, because Eddie never looks comfortable with what is happening to him. We laughed at the lobster-tank scene because he commits so completely to the indignity, without pausing to admire his own joke. His performance can become fussy, but that is preferable to the solemn business surrounding it.

The screenplay by Jeff Pinkner, Kelly Marcel and Scott Rosenberg gives the partnership too little room to develop. Characters make decisions that seem necessary only to get the next complication started, while the rules governing Eddie’s predicament remain frustratingly loose. Suspense is difficult to sustain when we cannot judge what anyone can do, or what might stop them. Michelle Williams as Anne Weying and Riz Ahmed as Carlton Drake have little chance to make their characters as interesting as Eddie’s running argument with himself.

Matthew Libatique’s cinematography briefly finds a memorable image at the Transamerica Pyramid. Elsewhere, computer-generated bodies dominate the action, which soon becomes anonymous despite all the movement. Oliver Scholl’s production design struggles to register beneath the digital activity, so the settings do little to distinguish one passage of combat from another. There is skill in making these creatures move, but the film keeps asking movement alone to provide excitement.

Alan Baumgarten and Maryann Brandon’s editing does little to settle the shifts between comedy and attempted seriousness. The story rushes through matters that need time to make sense, then gives the digital fighting more attention than it earns. Ludwig Göransson’s score presses for excitement without making those passages much more involving; it cannot do the work of a clearly staged action scene. The film runs for 112 minutes. We kept waiting for Eddie and Venom to start arguing again.

Judged as a superhero origin story, this is too cautious about the things that might make its central creature troublesome. The uneasy companionship promises some bad behaviour, but the film softens it until the attempted menace scarcely matters. Ruben Fleischer never settles how unpleasant, or how playful, he is prepared to let the pair become, and neither the jokes nor the fights benefit from the uncertainty. Come for Tom Hardy only if a handful of funny exchanges can justify a great deal of waiting.

*Fi1m score 51, published 5 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics find Venom a disappointing superhero film, with muddled storytelling and an uncertain tone overwhelming its comic possibilities. The praise clusters around Tom Hardy, whose physical commitment and odd comic energy give even several hostile reviews something to enjoy. The exchanges between Eddie and Venom are another recurring pleasure: critics often see their bickering as a glimpse of the more entertaining film that the surrounding plot fails to deliver.

Reservations centre on a timid treatment of the premise, rushed character development and action that offers little suspense. The spread is wide, though firmly weighted towards the negative. IndieWire is the clear positive outlier, finding the strangeness funny and the central relationship endearing. Hardy himself divides opinion: The Guardian finds his broad comedy a weakness, while The Hollywood Reporter considers him unusually uninteresting. For many others, he is the main reason the film remains intermittently watchable.

## Straight answers

**Is Venom worth watching?**

*Venom* is worth considering for Tom Hardy’s awkward comic performance, but we find too little around it to recommend the film and score it 51 out of 100. Eddie’s bickering with his unwanted companion supplies a handful of laughs; thin writing and muddled digital fights make it a long wait between them.

**How long is Venom, and what is it rated?**

*Venom* runs 1h 52m and is rated 14 by the ClassInd in Brazil. It is a science fiction and action film.

**Where can I watch Venom in Brazil?**

*Venom* is streaming on HBO Max and Amazon Prime Video in Brazil, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV from R$9.90. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is Venom, and is it suitable for children?**

*Venom* carries a UK 15 certificate, making it unsuitable for children under 15, though we find its attempted menace weak rather than frightening. The action centres on computer-generated creatures fighting, and the film softens the danger of Eddie’s companion; that limited sense of threat does not make it a children’s film.

**How does Venom compare to Attack the Block?**

*Venom* is the weaker choice beside [*Attack the Block*](https://film.one/film/attack-the-block), which we recommend for clearer creature action, sharper jokes and characters worth caring about. Hardy’s comic bickering gives *Venom* some appeal, but *Attack the Block* makes its estate siege both funny and frightening, even if its social lessons sometimes arrive too heavily underlined.

**What should I watch after Venom?**

After *Venom*, try [*Attack the Block*](https://film.one/film/attack-the-block) (2011, Fi1m 84): Compact creature action with sharper jokes and a neighbourhood worth protecting. Then [*The Mask*](https://film.one/film/the-mask) (1994, Fi1m 71): Superhero business makes room for elastic faces and properly unruly physical comedy.

### Reviews we read (22)

- **IndieWire**, Michael Nordine (B): The review finds the film an appealingly strange, often funny departure from the superhero formula. It praises Tom Hardy’s committed dual performance and the uneasy, endearing dynamic between Eddie and Venom. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/venom-review-tom-hardy-michelle-williams-riz-azhmed-1202008546/)
- **Screen Daily**, Tim Grierson (64/100, inferred): The review’s verdict and specific praise or complaint are not visible in the accessible page text. The article body is blocked by a subscription prompt. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/venom-review/5133142.article)
- **The New York Times** (64/100, inferred): The page could not be accessed, so the critic’s verdict is unavailable. No specific praise or complaint can be verified from the supplied text. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/04/movies/venom-review-tom-hardy.html)
- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (C): Bradshaw finds the film clumsy, dull and dramatically anticlimactic. He singles out Hardy’s broad split-personality comedy and the lack of genuine fun as particular weaknesses. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/oct/03/venom-review-tom-hardy-marvel-spider-man-spin-off)
- **Radio Times**, Victoria Luxford (55/100, inferred): The review gives a mixed verdict, finding enjoyable moments but a clunky plot. It singles out Tom Hardy’s performance as a source of enjoyment. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/venom-review-tom-hardy-delivers-enjoyable-moments-but-the-plot-is-clunky/)
- **RogerEbert.com**, Brian Tallerico (2/4): The review finds the film a muddled, disappointing superhero outing. It criticizes the story and tone, while noting Tom Hardy’s performance as a saving grace. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/venom-2018)
- **Evening Standard**, Charlotte Osullivan (2/5): The critic finds the film lacking in verve and bite. They praise the banter between Eddie and Venom, but fault the sanitized characterization and anonymous CGI battle. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/venom-review-tom-hardys-superhero-is-saucy-and-macho-but-has-no-verve-a3954131.html)
- **Little White Lies**, Adam Woodward (3/2/2): The review finds the film sanitised, frustrating, and far less exciting than it should be. It praises Hardy’s committed, combustible performance, while faulting the script’s implausibly stupid characters. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/venom)
- **Time Out**, Joshua Rothkopf (2/5): The critic finds the film disappointing and unlikely to satisfy either fans or newcomers. They fault its timid approach and predictable story. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/venom-5)
- **Empire**, Ian Freer (35/100, inferred): Freer calls the film a mediocre origin story that fails to bring its anti-hero to life. He singles out the brief moments of lively banter between Eddie and Venom as a glimpse of a more entertaining film. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/venom-review/)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Justin Chang (30/100, inferred): Chang finds Venom a weak, joyless franchise effort that falls short of its promise. He praises Tom Hardy’s gleefully physical performance but faults the film for sanitizing its premise and feeling cut short. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-venom-review-20181002-story.html)
- **Variety**, Owen Gleiberman (30/100, inferred): Gleiberman finds the film generic and exhausting, with Hardy’s performance often more mannered than compelling. He praises the dazzling visual effects but says they amount to diverting eye candy without much purpose. [Read](https://variety.com/2018/film/reviews/venom-review-tom-hardy-michelle-williams-1202965030/)
- **Vulture**, David Edelstein (30/100, inferred): Edelstein finds the film largely unmemorable, with Tom Hardy’s performance its main reason to watch. He praises Hardy’s amiable, flexible comic energy but faults the film for unclear rules and a lack of suspense. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2018/10/movie-review-venom.html)
- **Slant Magazine**, Jake Cole (1/4): Cole finds the film rushed and clumsy, with its action-heavy finale undermining the moments of eccentricity that briefly enliven it. He praises Tom Hardy’s jittery comic performance, especially Eddie’s lobster-tank scene. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/venom-2018/)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Todd McCarthy (10/100, inferred): McCarthy dismisses the film as an unimaginative, irredeemable entry in the Marvel universe. He complains that Eddie Brock is unconvincing as a journalist and finds Tom Hardy’s performance unusually uninteresting. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/venom-review-1148836/)
- **/Film**, Josh Spiegel (4 out of 10): Spiegel finds the film outdated and largely lifeless, despite its lead actor’s efforts. He singles out Tom Hardy’s strange, entertaining performance as the film’s bright spot. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/561430/venom-review/)
- **Den of Geek**, Don Kaye (2/5): Kaye considers the film a tonal and creative failure, with a rushed story and little character development. He singles out the clashing humor and attempted gravitas as especially poorly handled. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/venom-review-tom-hardy-marvel/)
- **NME**, Alex Flood (2/5): The review finds Venom dated, confused and ultimately disappointing. It singles out the darkly comic chemistry between Tom Hardy and the voice of the symbiote as a glimpse of what the film could have been. [Read](https://www.nme.com/reviews/venom-film-review-2385964)
- **Consequence**, Clint Worthington (30/100, inferred): Worthington finds the film a dull, incoherent tonal mess, despite occasional entertainment value. He singles out Tom Hardy’s bizarre, manic performance as the film’s one compelling feature. [Read](https://consequence.net/2018/10/film-review-venom/)
- **The Ringer**, Adam Nayman (30/100, inferred): Nayman finds the film neither good nor enjoyably bad, criticizing its timid, overly sentimental approach. He praises Tom Hardy’s comic vocal ability but says the material never lets him fully shine. [Read](https://www.theringer.com/2018/10/08/movies/venom-deadpool-bad-movie)
- **Eye for Film**, Andrew Robertson (20/100, inferred): The critic finds the film run-of-the-mill and not worth recommending. They fault its tonal shifts and failure to make its parts cohere, despite some enjoyable moments from Tom Hardy. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/venom-2018-film-review-by-andrew-robertson)
- **The Wrap**, Alonso Duralde (10/100, inferred): The critic finds the film a loud, illogical dud that wastes its talented cast. They single out the muddled plotting and overabundance of CGI as major flaws, while briefly praising a striking moment at the Transamerica Pyramid. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/venom-film-review-tom-hardy-michelle-williams/)

## Details

- **Director:** Ruben Fleischer
- **Director:** Ruben Fleischer
- **Screenplay:** Jeff Pinkner, Scott Rosenberg, Kelly Marcel
- **Cinematography:** Matthew Libatique
- **Editor:** Maryann Brandon, Alan Baumgarten
- **Music:** Ludwig Göransson
- **Production design:** Oliver Scholl
- **Costume design:** Kelli Jones
- **Producer:** Amy Pascal, Matt Tolmach, Avi Arad
- **Cast:** Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock / Venom; Michelle Williams as Anne Weying; Riz Ahmed as Carlton Drake / Riot; Scott Haze as Security Chief Roland Treece; Reid Scott as Dr. Dan Lewis; Jenny Slate as Dr. Dora Skirth; Melora Walters as Homeless Woman Maria; Woody Harrelson as Cletus Kasady / Carnage
- **Runtime:** 1h 52m
- **Certificate (ClassInd):** 14
- **Release (Brazil):** 5 October 2018
- **Genres:** Science Fiction, Action
- **Budget:** $116 million
- **Box office:** $856 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLCn88bfW1o

## Where to watch in Brazil

- HBO Max: streaming
- Amazon Prime Video: add-on
- Amazon Prime Video: rent R$9.90, hd
- Apple TV: rent R$11.90, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy R$9.90, hd
- Apple TV: buy R$9.90, hd

*Checked 2026-10-05.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *Upgrade* (2018): Another unwanted passenger takes control, with clearer action and a nastier sense of humour.
- *The Hidden* (1987): Alien possession gives a police thriller a grubby, mischievous reason to misbehave.
- *The Host* (2006): A monster film with family squabbles, unruly comedy and consequences that matter.
- *Attack the Block* (2011), Fi1m 84: Compact creature action with sharper jokes and a neighbourhood worth protecting. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/attack-the-block.md)
- *The Mask* (1994), Fi1m 71: Superhero business makes room for elastic faces and properly unruly physical comedy. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-mask.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/venom