It’s unfortunate to say, but Venom: The Last Dance, the concluding chapter of Sony’s Venom trilogy, feels like a misstep. Stripped of much of the charm and irreverence that made its predecessors enjoyable, this installment doubles down on dense exposition and formulaic storytelling, leaving little of the fun that defined the series’ earlier outings.
The original Venom (2018) was far from perfect, but its quirky, self-aware tone and the odd-couple dynamic between Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) and the Venom symbiote turned it into an unexpected cult favorite. The 2021 sequel, Let There Be Carnage, leaned even further into the absurd, offering chaotic, pulpy entertainment that embraced its campy roots. Both movies knew their limitations, delivering fast-paced, self-contained stories that balanced action with humor.
The Last Dance, however, struggles to recapture that magic. The film’s plot centers on Knull, a symbiote conqueror voiced by Andy Serkis, who needs a piece of Venom to escape his prison and reclaim his dominion over the symbiote race. While Knull has potential as a menacing villain, the script doesn’t give him much depth or compelling motivation. His presence feels more like a vehicle for delivering exposition than a real threat. The result is a frail story that lacks the emotional stakes or engaging character dynamics necessary to keep viewers invested.
The interplay between Eddie and Venom, the heart of the franchise, is largely overshadowed by the weighty narrative. The film opts for a more conventional Marvel-style plot, filled with globe-trotting, lab jargon, and generic monster battles. The meta humor and self-awareness that made the first two films so distinct are dialed down, leaving a straightforward superhero story that feels bland in comparison.
The performances reflect this lack of inspiration. Tom Hardy, who previously brought an unhinged energy to Eddie Brock, seems to be going through the motions here. Chiwetel Ejiofor, a welcome addition to the cast, doesn’t have much to work with, and even Andy Serkis’s vocal performance as Knull feels restrained. Director Kelly Marcel, making her debut after writing the first two Venom films, delivers serviceable direction, but there’s little in the way of fresh ideas or stylistic flair to elevate the material.
There are moments where The Last Dance shows glimpses of its predecessors’ chaotic spirit. The climactic battle featuring a swarm of symbiotes is visually impressive and carries some of the series’ trademark zaniness. However, these moments are too few and far between to save the film from its overall lackluster execution.
As the Venom trilogy comes to a close, it’s hard not to feel a pang of disappointment. While the first two films weren’t groundbreaking, they offered a kind of goofy, self-aware fun that stood out in a crowded superhero landscape. The Last Dance lacks the humor, energy, and originality that made those films memorable, leaving the series to conclude on a whimper rather than a bang.
Score: 5/10
Venom: The Last Dance (2024)
- Cast: Tom Hardy, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple, Andy Serkis
- Director: Kelly Marcel
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Science Fiction
- Runtime: 109 minutes
- Rated: PG-13
- Release Date: October 25, 2024
More Reviews for Sony Spider-Verse Movies
Cinephile Corner has reviewed the following movies in the Sony Spider-Verse:
- Morbius (2022)
- Madame Web (2023)
- Venom: The Last Dance (2024)
More Movies Starring Tom Hardy
Tom Hardy has starred in the following movies:
- Inception (2010)
- Warrior (2011)
- The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
- Locke (2013)
- Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
- Dunkirk (2017)
- Venom (2018)
- The Bikeriders (2024)
- Venom: The Last Dance (2024)