Superhero films are all the rage right now, and although Venom is technically a Marvel film, the title character is not your typical run of the mill hero.

The film stars British actor Tom Hardy as renegade TV reporter Eddie Brock. Set in San Francisco and with Hardy doing his best American accent, Brock is sent to interview the billionaire science mogul Carlton Drake, played by fellow Brit Riz Ahmed.

The interview sours as Brock dares to question Drake about his company’s experimentations on humans. This results in both Brock and his girlfriend losing their jobs, and subsequently their relationship and his life unravels.

As things go on, Eddie ends up back inside Drake’s labs, and is infected by an alien “symbiote” called Venom. At this point Hardy really ups his performance, as he battles the voice in his head which has seemingly given him supernatural powers.

Brock is then hunted relentlessly by Drake’s goons, and we are taken on a brilliantly destructive motorbike chase, as Venom shows how his powers include immunity to bullets, super strength and the ability to stretch long black tentacle like limbs out of his body.

The film is a fun enough watch, and despite the lack of a stereotypical hero to cheer on, Venom eventually endears himself to the audience with a dark sense of humour, which Hardy pulls off effortlessly, creating an almost “good cop, bad cop” back and forth with Brock and Venom.

There are some moments which are quite scary and uncomfortable to watch, especially in the mid parts of the film as the symbiotes attempt to combine themselves with humans.

Like most origin stories, the ending is a tad rushed, as so much time has been spent getting to know the characters. Also like most superhero films nowadays, there are post credits scenes which suggest a sequel and possible franchise in the works.

Whether this will be another stand-alone film with Venom in the anti-hero role against an even worse opponent, or if we’ll be treated to an appearance from Spider-Man remains to be seen, as the confusing struggle for licensing rights goes on between Sony and Marvel.

Whatever happens, in Tom Hardy, Venom finally has an actor that does the legendary comic book character justice. Saying all that, if you’re looking for a film with lessons on morality and life, this isn’t it!