Marvel’s Spider-Man 2: Anti-Venom Represents Despair, Not Triumph

The open-world nature of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 makes it challenging to gauge the state of New York City post-credits. While Peter Parker, Miles Morales, and Mary Jane Watson successfully defeat Harry Osborn’s Venom and neutralize the symbiote-infested meteorite with the Emily-May Foundation’s particle accelerator, questions remain about the lingering impact. The black tendrils covering the city’s skyline may have disappeared, but the full extent of the symbiote threat remains unclear.

Throughout New York, symbiote nests are still scattered, and infected civilians roam the streets—evidence of the lasting danger. These adversaries, introduced in the game’s final act, are the result of the symbiote outbreak. If you trace the story back, Norman Osborn and Dr. Curtis Connors are ultimately responsible for unleashing this horror.

However, Peter’s own carelessness paved the way for Harry’s transformation into Venom, allowing the symbiote to launch its devastating invasion. Peter’s actions, though well-intentioned, are what led him to acquire his own white-and-black symbiote suit.

Anti-Venom Symbolizes Peter’s Mistakes in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

In a pivotal moment, Peter confronts Harry at Oscorp shortly after being separated from the symbiote. The symbiote is securely contained, and Peter is fully aware of its threat, particularly to Harry. However, when Harry, frail and reliant on a cane, approaches Peter, a seemingly implausible scene unfolds. Peter, despite his agility and strength, is overpowered by Harry’s weak advance. Harry’s cane shatters the canister, releasing the symbiote once more.

It’s hard to believe that Peter, with his superhuman reflexes, couldn’t have dodged or kept Harry at bay. This careless moment feels contrived, a convenient narrative choice to return the symbiote to Harry, even though there were countless other ways the scene could have played out without making Peter appear reckless.

Had Harry never reconnected with the symbiote, the story might have taken a different direction. Peter and his allies may have still needed the particle accelerator to destroy the meteorite, but would Peter have discovered that a fragment of the symbiote’s hive mind remained within him? It’s possible that Martin Li and Miles Morales wouldn’t have needed to explore Peter’s psyche to save him from the symbiote’s clutches. Ultimately, Peter’s need for the Anti-Venom symbiote only arises because he inadvertently handed the original symbiote back to Harry.

For Martin Li, exhausting his powers to create Anti-Venom was a selfless act. Though he may have lost his abilities, this sacrifice could free him from the dark influence of Mr. Negative. Yet, it was a risky move—one that Li took for Peter’s sake.

Peter Parker Fails His Friend Harry Osborn in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

The Anti-Venom symbiote is a powerful tool, allowing Peter to fight the multicolored symbiotes and eventually free Harry from its grip. However, beneath this victory lies a tragic truth: Peter’s best friend is left fighting for his life again, while Peter now wears a suit capable of healing. Strangely, Peter never attempts to offer the Anti-Venom suit to Harry, leaving the question of whether he could help his friend unanswered.

Even more concerning, Peter seems indifferent to his new bond with the symbiote, assuming it’s safe despite his previous harrowing experience with the black suit. If Peter doesn’t actively seek to rid himself of the symbiote in Marvel’s Spider-Man 3, there will need to be a compelling reason why he chooses to keep it—and why he can’t use it to save Harry.

This reflection of Peter’s failures and the consequences of his actions make the Anti-Venom suit less of a heroic badge and more a symbol of his regret.