Ah, Venom—the symbiote everyone loves. The problem? He’s introduced and defeated in about forty minutes. Eddie Brock is a sleazy photographer who wants to ruin Peter’s life, but he’s also just a jealous loser. Not exactly a compelling evil mastermind.
The symbiote itself is more interesting. It amplifies Peter’s darker impulses—his pride, his anger, his need to show off. In other words, the black suit turns Peter into a total jerk. He snubs Mary Jane, flirts with Gwen Stacy, and does that jazz club scene. You know the one. (If you don’t, bless your innocent soul.)
So who’s the bad guy here: the alien goo, or Peter for wearing it? The movie can’t decide. Venom just feels like an afterthought, a popular character crammed in to sell toys. He’s scary, sure, but he’s not the real antagonist.
