Movie review
September 30, 2021 · 97 min · PG-13
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
Venom: Let There Be Carnage follows reporter Eddie Brock and his alien symbiote Venom as they battle death-row killer Cletus Kasady, who bonds with a symbiote offspring to become the violent Carnage, aided by his sonic-powered lover Shriek. The story focuses on the chaotic, bickering partnership between Eddie and Venom as they try to stop a city rampage while sorting out their own codependent bond. The film features a director-framed scene with rainbow imagery and a speech about discrimination against "aliens," plus the casting of a Black actress in the role of Shriek, a character originally depicted as white in the comics.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Venom: Let There Be Carnage.
Woke representation / casting
Race swap of Shriek to a Black actress from the white comic original stands out in a prominent villain role, though not heavily marketed as a diversity statement; supporting cast shows standard industry mix.
Woke political dialogue
Venom delivers a comedic speech at a rainbow-filled rave about discrimination against "aliens," using language that directly echoes modern social-justice phrasing.
Identity-driven story themes
The Eddie-Venom partnership drives the story with heavy queer-coded tension, jealousy over Eddie's ex, and emotional reconciliation; the director and star leaned into this subtext in public comments and direction.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Only light comedic nods to acceptance of the "different"; no serious modern activist takes on institutions, patriarchy, capitalism, or traditional norms.
Woke character or canon changes
Shriek's racial background altered from comics source material; other adjustments serve the film story without strong ideological intent.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Niche online criticism targets the Shriek race swap and amplified queer subtext as identity politics in a superhero movie; complaints exist but remain limited and not widespread.
Creator track record context
Traditional comic creators and commercial producers show neutral or low profiles; slight elevation from director's recent adaptation debates and casting director's stated push for diversity.
Production
