Shot down by critics and comic book fans alike, Marvel’s new take on an old villain gives us a film as messy and loveable as its namesake.

“Venom” differs from other Marvel movies as one of the only films produced by the franchise that has seemingly no connection to other storylines in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In the film, investigative reporter Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) is infected with an alien organism called a symbiote after breaking into the lab of crazy millionaire Carlton Drake (Riz Ahmed), who has been attempting to create human-alien hybrids with catastrophic results.

One would assume that a movie with actors as smart and talented as Tom Hardy and Michelle Williams would have at least a smidge of chemistry, but the connection just isn’t there. The dialogue is slow and confusing throughout the first act, which is not helped by Hardy’s character who apparently suffers from a chronic mumbling disorder. However, things take a turn for the better in the second act, when Hardy is given the freedom to act the way he wants: like someone taken over by a parasitic pile of goo.

Acting aside, the special effects are well done, leading to some rather terrifying and disturbing moments. The comedy is also on point, fed by Venom’s cookie monster-esque voice and his “good-cop, alien-monster” dynamic with Eddie. Also, nothing will quite compare to watching Tom Hardy bathe in a restaurant’s lobster tank while eating its inhabitants raw.

“Venom” isn’t an amazing film, but it’s not a bad one either. Once in a while, people need a funny, mediocre movie to laugh at while eating unhealthy amounts of movie-theater popcorn—and this one definitely fits the bill.

“Venom:” ★★★☆☆