THE BAY — “Venom” is now in theaters and it’s receiving mixed reviews. In my review yesterday I point out the movie is really a cocktail of good and bad, but is an entertaining trip to the theater for the most part.

Today, we’re here to talk about what parents can expect from the film.

This review is not to tell you if it’s OK for your kids to go see “Venom.” This review is to educate you so when your child asks if they can go see “Venom” with their friends you’ll have a better idea of what kind of content is in the movie and be able to make a more educated decision.

Here’s what parents need to know about “Venom”:

Sexuality

“Venom” is more or less like most other superhero movies when it comes to the sexuality factor. There really isn’t too much. There is a moment where it’s implied two characters are about to sleep with one another as they head into a bedroom together.

Other than that moment there are a few innuendos and jokes, but most are pretty subtle and many may miss them. In fact, we don’t even get what seems to be the obligatory shot with the hero’s shirt off in this one.

Language

The language in “Venom” is fairly strong. There are enough curse words to earn the PG-13 rating and one very clear utterance of a so-called R-rated word. That word came as a bit of a surprise considering how in your face it was, but in a way, it wasn’t surprising because so many PG-13 movies these days seem to make it a point to get that word in there.

For the most part, the language in “Venom” is pretty common for most PG-13 movies these days, but may be a bit more than most of the Marvel movies you’re used to.

Review: Tom Hardy's 'Venom' is a mixed bag of good and bad

Here are some things that make “Venom” more like one of Marvel’s better outings while other things seem like swings and misses.

Violent and disturbing content

As always, this is the category where these movies really earn their rating. “Venom” is definitely violent. There are beatings, shootings, torture, stabbings, explosions and decapitations galore.

Once the action starts the on-screen violence doesn’t really stop. The body count is high in “Venom,” and the scary or disturbing elements are pretty in your face as well.

Spoiler alert: Some possible spoilers ahead

There are several moments where patients in a lab are being tested and the reaction to the testing will be disturbing for some audiences. The patients are supposed to be in extreme pain and their bodies are contorted and mutilated in the process. It’s not overly graphic, but it is a bit stomach-churning.

It also turns out that the symbiotes in the movie like to feed on humans, and heads are one of their favorite snacks. There are several decapitations where people’s heads are bitten off. You don’t actually see the decapitation, but you hear the crunch and tear associated with it.

Conclusion

There was talk of making “Venom” an R-rated film and apparently, there will be an R-rated version of the film when it’s released on video, but the studio decided on a PG-13 theatrical cut. It appears to me that the theatrical cut was made from the R-rated cut and edited to meet the standards for a lower rating.

“Venom” is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for language.

Violent and disturbing content

As always, this is the category where these movies really earn their rating. “Venom” is definitely violent. There are beatings, shootings, torture, stabbings, explosions and decapitations galore.

Once the action starts the on-screen violence doesn’t really stop. The body count is high in “Venom,” and the scary or disturbing elements are pretty in your face as well.

Spoiler alert: Some possible spoilers ahead

There are several moments where patients in a lab are being tested and the reaction to the testing will be disturbing for some audiences. The patients are supposed to be in extreme pain and their bodies are contorted and mutilated in the process. It’s not overly graphic, but it is a bit stomach-churning.

It also turns out that the symbiotes in the movie like to feed on humans, and heads are one of their favorite snacks. There are several decapitations where people’s heads are bitten off. You don’t actually see the decapitation, but you hear the crunch and tear associated with it.

Conclusion

There was talk of making “Venom” an R-rated film and apparently, there will be an R-rated version of the film when it’s released on video, but the studio decided on a PG-13 theatrical cut. It appears to me that the theatrical cut was made from the R-rated cut and edited to meet the standards for a lower rating.

“Venom” is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for language.

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