Venom
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to Venom
Venom (2018) is a superhero action-adventure film based on the Marvel Comics character. The movie introduces Eddie Brock, an investigative journalist who becomes intertwined with an alien symbiote named Venom, gaining extraordinary powers. However, the symbiote also has a mind of its own and a violent appetite, leading to a complex and often humorous relationship between the two. The film follows their struggle against a powerful corporation and another dangerous symbiote, Riot, who seeks to bring more symbiotes to Earth. The movie combines elements of sci-fi, action, and dark comedy, aiming to provide an antihero narrative. The film is rated PG-13, indicating that some material may be inappropriate for children under 13, and is characterized by intense sci-fi violence and language, which parents should consider before allowing younger audiences to view it.
Things to Consider
Violence
The movie contains frequent, intense, and at times gruesome sci-fi violence, pushing the limits of its PG-13 rating. This includes scenes of alien symbiotes attacking and consuming humans, as well as brutal fight sequences and implied deaths. While direct gore is often minimized to maintain the rating, the nature of the violence can be disturbing.
Symbiotes transform limbs into blade-like weapons, used to stab and maim people, and there are graphic and disturbing scenes of scientists conducting experiments where symbiotes invade human bodies, causing immense pain, suffering, and death. Venom and Riot engage in extensive fighting, involving slamming humans, throwing them against objects, and through glass, with strong implications of symbiotes biting off and eating people's heads, particularly those considered 'bad guys'.
Scary & Intense Content
The film contains highly intense sequences of sci-fi action and visuals that can be frightening or disturbing, particularly for younger viewers. These include grotesque transformations, jump scares, and moments where the symbiotes appear horrifying.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
Ages 15+ due to intense sci-fi violence, gruesome imagery, strong language, and disturbing thematic elements. While rated PG-13, the film pushes the boundaries of this rating with its depiction of violence and some scary content, making it potentially unsuitable for younger teenagers. Parental guidance is strongly recommended for those under 15.
Good to Know
The MPAA rated Venom (2018) PG-13 for 'intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for language.' There were discussions and fan expectations for an R-rating, but Sony aimed for PG-13 to allow for potential crossovers with family-friendly Marvel Cinematic Universe characters. The theatrical cut was reportedly 30-40 minutes shorter than initial cuts, with director Ruben Fleischer and lead actor Tom Hardy acknowledging cut scenes. While the subsequent film, 'Venom: Let There Be Carnage' (2021), also maintained a PG-13 rating, it intensified some elements, with a climactic battle taking place in a church and continued strong action violence and language.
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