This is a scene from the movie "Venom: Let There Be Carnage." The Catholic News Service classification is A-III -- adults. (CNS/Sony Pictures)

By Catholic News Service

The sequel to 2018’s “Venom,” directed by Andy Serkis, is two films in one: a raucous buddy comedy about an investigative journalist (Tom Hardy) and the eponymous alien lizard learning to coexist, and a loud and violent action thriller with multiple villains, all worthy of the Marvel comic source material.

An encounter with a serial killer (Woody Harrelson) on death row spawns a rival alien symbiote which goes on a rampage, laying waste to much of San Francisco as the creature searches for a childhood sweetheart (Naomie Harris) and tries to destroy his alien rival.

Stylized violence and gore, a few instances of profanity and one crude gesture. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

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