“Venom”, directed by Ruben Fleischer, is a gritty Marvel antihero tale starring Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock, a journalist bonded with an alien symbiote. Their uneasy alliance unleashes chaotic vigilantism against a corporate threat, blending dark humor, body horror, and action in a wild, unconventional superhero origin.

Hardy’s unhinged performance is the film’s pulse, his manic energy and dual-voiced banter with Venom creating a bizarrely endearing duo—his physicality in symbiote-fueled fights is electrifying. Michelle Williams and Riz Ahmed add solid support, though Ahmed’s villain leans generic. The action, from motorcycle chases to gooey symbiote brawls, pops with inventive CGI, capturing Venom’s fluid menace. Fleischer’s 112-minute runtime keeps the pace brisk, but the plot follows familiar beats, and the tone wobbles between gritty and campy. Ludwig Göransson’s pulsating score enhances the chaos, while San Francisco’s foggy backdrop adds grit. The film’s buddy-comedy vibe and Hardy’s commitment overcome a rushed script, making it a cult favorite despite its flaws.

“Venom” is a messy, thrilling ride, with Hardy’s symbiotic chaos as its dark heart.