The third and final entry in the “Venom” franchise, Venom: The Last Dance, attempts to wrap up the chaotic saga of Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) and his symbiotic partner Venom. Directed by Kelly Marcel, who steps into the director’s chair after co-writing the previous installments, the film struggles to find a balance between humor, action, and a satisfying conclusion. While there are moments of absurd comedy that fans may enjoy, the movie ultimately feels like an uneven mix of ideas, leaving audiences wondering if this final outing was truly necessary.
A Road Trip Full of Absurdity and Humor
From the beginning, Venom: The Last Dance sets out to double down on the humor and offbeat relationship between Eddie and Venom, leaning heavily into a buddy-comedy dynamic. The film doesn’t shy away from wacky scenarios, whether it’s Eddie/Venom hitching a ride with a ’70s-inspired hippie family or engaging in a bizarre dance-off to ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” in a Las Vegas casino. These scenes add a layer of absurdity that attempts to set The Last Dance apart from other superhero films, but at times, it feels like the movie is trying too hard to be quirky and funny.
The road-trip setup takes the duo across barren wastelands and through some of the most unexpected pit stops, including a musical moment involving Rhys Ifans as a UFO enthusiast leading a sing-along to “Space Oddity.” While these segments are meant to be humorous, they often disrupt the film’s pacing, making it difficult for viewers to stay invested in the storyline.
The Return of Knull and the Codex Chase
On the other end of the spectrum, The Last Dance introduces Knull, a primordial villain with grand cosmic plans. Briefly shown in the film’s opening sequence, Knull’s introduction is reminiscent of a dark fantasy cutscene straight out of Elden Ring. However, his role in the movie remains disappointingly underdeveloped. Knull, portrayed with ominous menace, has been imprisoned for ages, but he seeks freedom through an artifact known as the Codex, which resides within Venom. The film teases the potential of a cosmic showdown, but Knull’s screen time is minimal, reducing what could have been an epic conflict to a forgettable subplot.
The Codex serves as a plot device that triggers chaos, as it sends signals to Knull’s creatures every time Eddie transforms into Venom. Yet, even with this premise, the stakes never quite reach the level of intensity one might expect. Instead, the film relies on comedic beats, with the alien’s sarcastic commentary often taking center stage, leaving the overarching threat to feel more like a background noise.
Tom Hardy’s Low-Energy Performance
Tom Hardy, known for bringing a chaotic and manic energy to Eddie Brock, seems to have dialed it down for this final installment. Eddie spends most of the film dealing with a hangover-like haze, mumbling his way through scenes as if he’s as tired of the role as his character is of the symbiote living in his head. Hardy’s once-vibrant portrayal now feels subdued, which might have been an artistic choice to reflect Eddie’s exhaustion, but it also saps the movie of the lively spirit that helped carry the previous films.
While Hardy’s deadpan delivery was once the charm of the franchise, The Last Dance struggles to make it work this time. The film lacks the energy that made the first Venom a surprisingly fun romp, instead feeling like it’s meandering from one gag to the next, without a clear purpose.
A Disjointed Plot and Unmemorable Action
The plot in The Last Dance is disjointed, with subplots that don’t mesh well together. Whether it’s Eddie’s attempts to flee to New York, his encounters with a team of scientists at Area 51, or the vague threats posed by Knull’s Xenophages, the story hops from one scene to another without much coherence. Action sequences, while visually engaging, fail to leave a lasting impression due to the lack of a solid narrative foundation.
One of the film’s more frustrating elements is its reliance on action without consequence. Scenes jump around rapidly, confusing speed for storytelling efficiency. In one instance, a Xenophage appears out of nowhere to attack Eddie and Venom mid-flight, creating a sequence that feels rushed and awkward. While visually striking, these moments fail to bring any real sense of danger or tension, diminishing the impact of Knull’s supposed threat.
The Verdict: A Mixed Bag of Comedy, Chaos, and Cosmic Threats
In the end, Venom: The Last Dance aims to conclude the trilogy with a mix of absurd humor and chaotic action, but its uneven tone and underdeveloped plot threads leave it stumbling across the finish line. Kelly Marcel’s directorial debut is bold, but the film’s inconsistent pacing and lack of narrative focus hinder its potential. The comedic elements, while sometimes entertaining, often overshadow the more serious stakes, leaving the audience unsure of whether to laugh or take the plot seriously.
For fans of the series, The Last Dance may offer a few fun moments and callbacks to the earlier films. However, it’s hard to ignore the sense that this final outing feels more like an afterthought than a grand finale. If you’re hoping for a satisfying conclusion to Eddie and Venom’s story, you might be disappointed. The Last Dance serves as a reminder that while the Venom movies have been amusing, they’ve also been placeholders in the larger comic-book universe, filled with snark and CGI but lacking the depth to make them truly memorable.
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