The highly anticipated movie Venom, starring Tom Hardy, has finally hit theaters. Marketed as an origin story for Spider-Man’s iconic nemesis, Venom, the film received a PG-13 rating, surprising many who anticipated a darker, R-rated experience. This rating places parents of Marvel and Spider-Man enthusiasts in a tricky situation: Is Venom suitable for their children? Despite the seemingly lenient PG-13 classification, the answer is likely more complex than a simple yes.
What is Venom About?
Venom centers on Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy), an investigative journalist whose career is spiraling downwards. In his pursuit of a groundbreaking story, Brock delves into the clandestine activities of the Life Foundation, a corporation that presents itself as a futuristic space exploration company but harbors sinister secrets involving extraterrestrial life. During his investigation, Brock inadvertently becomes host to a parasitic alien symbiote. This sets the stage for a story that is significantly darker and potentially more intense than many other films within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Scary Content in Venom: A Closer Look at the First Half
Parents familiar with PG-13 ratings understand their broad spectrum, but Venom leans towards the more intense end. Unlike lighter Marvel fare like Black Panther or Avengers: Infinity War, Venom delves into genuinely unsettling territory, particularly in its first half. The film depicts the Life Foundation’s unethical experiments on humans, specifically targeting vulnerable homeless individuals. These individuals are shown being used as unwilling test subjects for the alien symbiotes, enduring gruesome and prolonged deaths as their bodies reject the parasitic organisms. This portion of the movie is notably dark and graphic for a PG-13 film, arguably pushing the boundaries more than films like Star Wars: The Last Jedi in terms of mature content.
Tone Shift in the Second Half: From Horror to Humor?
As Venom progresses into its second half, the film undergoes a noticeable tonal shift. While the initial scenes establish a darker, body-horror atmosphere, the latter part of the movie incorporates elements of dark humor and buddy comedy. This shift occurs as Eddie Brock forms a bond with the Venom symbiote. The dynamic between Brock and Venom evolves into an often humorous partnership, with Venom displaying a bizarre and sometimes twisted sense of humor. While this lighter tone might alleviate some of the initial terror, it’s crucial to note that the film does not shy away from violence, and death remains a constant presence. It becomes apparent that the filmmakers navigated around the possibility of an R-rating through editing and stylistic choices, but the underlying darker themes persist.
PG-13 Rating: Is it Misleading for Venom?
Despite the PG-13 rating, parents should exercise caution before bringing younger children to see Venom. While there are vague connections to the Spider-Man universe, they are minimal and likely not worth exposing young viewers to potentially frightening content. Unless your child is a seasoned viewer of scary movies and already a dedicated Venom fan, it’s advisable to perceive this PG-13 rating as a “secret R-rating” in disguise. For most younger children, and even some pre-teens, Venom may simply be too intense and frightening.
Venom is currently playing in theaters.
