Venom: The Last Dance review – Tom Hardy’s finale has two left feet

As a seasoned gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in various digital realms, I must say that Venom: The Last Dance feels like a side quest in a forgettable video game – exciting at first but quickly losing its charm as the story unfolds.


In the movie “Venom: The Last Dance,” Tom Hardy’s portrayal of Eddie Brock/Venom comes to a close, marking a farewell to the bloodthirsty symbiote. This final dance is filled with energy, yet it leaves one feeling somewhat perplexed.

Following two films hinting at an imminent Earth-bound symbiote invasion, “Venom: The Last Dance” delivers on this threat. With Eddie Brock and Venom in hiding in Mexico, they find themselves pursued by authorities seeking Eddie and a covert government group after Venom. In order to reach New York, the duo must urgently travel across the United States.

By the way, Knull is drifting in space, biding his time until he’s freed from his cosmic detention at the hands of his own race. There’s quite a bit happening in Venom 3, yet it seems to be a debatable muddle that turns out to be rather unremarkable when compared to the broader narrative of the franchise.

Title “The Last Dance” implies that it serves as a conclusion for this particular version of Eddie Brock and his symbiote companion. The film attempts to balance intense action sequences and poignant emotional moments, but falls short in delivering a coherent and satisfying ending for the Venom trilogy.

One last dance

In the opening scene of The Last Dance, Eddie and Venom are found once again at the Mexican bar, which served as their hideout during the closing credits of Spider-Man: No Way Home. As anticipated, they’re drawn through a portal and deposited back into their own universe, ending up in a worn-out replica of that very same bar.

It soon becomes apparent that they cannot return to San Francisco due to Eddie’s suspected murder of Detective Mulligan, as shown in the previous film. Instead, their revised strategy is to move to New York City, offering them a fresh start and allowing Venom to catch a glimpse of his latest fascination – the Statue of Liberty.

Instead, they embark on a journey that doesn’t truly commence. Swiftly distracted, they find themselves engulfed in a fierce military campaign aimed at locating Venom for obscure research purposes. Additionally, they encounter a Xenophage dispatched by Knull, whose mission is to apprehend the symbiote.

In Venom’s final installment, the information is presented so rapidly that it’s surprising, as the film seems to prioritize providing extensive explanations throughout its duration. (In one instance, Eddie explicitly states, “They think it’s me,” while observing a news broadcast that leaves no doubt in the viewer’s mind that the police suspect him of killing Mulligan. Thanks for the clarification, Eddie.)

Too much too late

Introducing such a large cast of characters – including a military general torn between duty and morality, a scientist with a sorrowful past, and an eccentric family pursuing extraterrestrials – seems unexpected for what’s supposedly Eddie and Venom’s final journey together. This influx of new characters leaves less attention on the symbiotic bond than it deserves.

The fight scenes, happening in swift rivers and culminating in a climactic battle, certainly add excitement to the film, which seems to be losing momentum. It’s great to see Stephen Graham reappear as Mulligan, and his brief appearances are undoubtedly the most impactful in the movie, bringing a powerful intensity that significantly enhances the overall action.

Venom: The Last Dance review – Tom Hardy’s finale has two left feet

In the last hurrah, Hardy skillfully portrays both Eddie and Venom, and their witty exchanges produce some genuine chuckles. These light-hearted interactions add the appropriate dose of absurdity to this climax, preventing it from becoming overly serious. Moreover, the heartfelt scenes between them are particularly impactful, offering a refreshing contrast against other less substantial elements.

In my gaming world, the misstep lies when The Last Dance delves into deeper subjects; questioning the ethical implications of the government’s scientific endeavors, pondering the belief in extraterrestrial life, and the struggle to follow one’s destiny. (Even though Venom movies don’t necessarily require themes, a single theme could add depth.)

The rhythm is usually hidden beneath shallow characters and uninspiring dialogue, and by the time the concluding scene arrives, there isn’t enough positive sentiment accumulated for it to create a significant emotional resonance.

Venom: The Last Dance review score – 2/5

Following three films, Tom Hardy’s portrayal of the tumultuous and poisonous bond between Eddie Brock and Venom has concluded. Regrettably, The Last Dance falls short of delivering a heartfelt farewell, instead giving off a casual “until we meet again.

The fast-paced action scenes and emotional connections between the leading duo are likely to please numerous viewers; however, those seeking a more substantial narrative or a complex plot may find it lacking in depth, with only vague allusions to the concept of being “a believer” and a scene focusing on getting Hardy dressed in a tuxedo.

For a film series with a divisive past, it’s been a complicated dance. Even now that it’s over, it’s still hard to tell if it was worth it.

Venom: The Last Dance hits theaters on October 25.

To discover even more options, check out the array of fresh films unveiled this month. Additionally, delve into the realm of top-tier superhero movies throughout history, and stay updated on the latest developments regarding forthcoming Marvel movies and television series.

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2024-10-23 22:18