Venom: The Last Dance (2024) – A Thrilling but Flawed Finale

Introduction

“Venom: The Last Dance” is the third and final installment in Sony’s Venom franchise, starring Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock, the journalist who shares his body with the alien symbiote, Venom. Directed by Kelly Marcel, the film follows the chaotic and often humorous relationship between Eddie and Venom as they face new enemies, both human and extraterrestrial. With the previous two movies receiving mixed reviews but enjoying commercial success, does Venom: The Last Dance deliver a satisfying conclusion?

This review will explore the film’s plot, performances, visual effects, action sequences, and overall impact while maintaining a balanced perspective on its strengths and weaknesses.

Plot Summary – A High-Stakes Escape

The movie picks up where Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021) left off. Eddie Brock and Venom are fugitives, wanted by both the government and mysterious alien forces. Their symbiotic bond is stronger than ever, but their constant bickering adds a layer of comedy to their perilous journey.

A new villain emerges, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, whose character has a deep understanding of symbiotes and seeks to harness their power for his own nefarious purposes. Meanwhile, Juno Temple joins the cast as an unexpected ally, adding an element of unpredictability to the story.

The film balances Eddie and Venom’s internal conflict with external threats, culminating in a high-stakes battle that determines the fate of both their world and the symbiote species.

Tom Hardy’s Performance – Carrying the Franchise

One of the undeniable strengths of the Venom series is Tom Hardy’s performance. As both Eddie Brock and the voice of Venom, Hardy delivers a dynamic, energetic, and often hilarious portrayal of the dysfunctional duo. His ability to switch between Eddie’s frustration and Venom’s chaotic hunger for adventure makes their relationship the heart of the movie.

Unlike traditional superhero protagonists, Eddie Brock is not a noble, selfless hero. He is flawed, awkward, and often makes questionable decisions. Hardy embraces these characteristics, making Eddie an entertaining yet relatable lead. Venom’s humorous and brutal nature complements Eddie’s more reserved personality, creating a buddy-cop dynamic that carries much of the film’s appeal.

However, despite Hardy’s strong performance, the script doesn’t always do him justice. Some dialogue feels forced, and a few comedic moments seem out of place in an otherwise action-packed narrative.

The Villain – A Mixed Bag

Chiwetel Ejiofor, known for his brilliant performances in Doctor Strange and 12 Years a Slave, plays a menacing antagonist with deep knowledge of symbiotes. His character’s motivations are clear—he sees Venom as both a threat and an opportunity. However, his development feels rushed. Unlike Woody Harrelson’s Carnage in the previous film, Ejiofor’s villain lacks the personal connection to Eddie, which makes his conflict with Venom less emotionally engaging.

While his presence adds weight to the story, the lack of a strong backstory or deeper emotional stakes makes him feel somewhat generic. The film could have benefited from exploring his past or his obsession with symbiotes more thoroughly.

Action Sequences – Spectacle Over Substance?

The Venom franchise has always leaned into its chaotic action, and The Last Dance is no exception. The fight scenes are visually stunning, featuring CGI-heavy battles between symbiotes and humans. One particular sequence, set in a high-speed chase, stands out as one of the most thrilling moments in the film.

However, while the action is engaging, it occasionally prioritizes spectacle over coherence. Some fight sequences are overly reliant on fast-cut editing, making it difficult to fully appreciate the choreography. Additionally, the final battle, while grand in scale, feels somewhat predictable.

Compared to the raw brutality of Venom: Let There Be Carnage, The Last Dance feels a bit more polished but lacks the visceral impact of its predecessor’s fights.

Visual Effects – A Step Forward

One area where Venom: The Last Dance truly excels is its visual effects. The CGI rendering of Venom is more polished than ever, with detailed textures and fluid movements that make the symbiote feel both alien and lifelike.

The symbiote transformations are smoother, and the film introduces new symbiote abilities that add variety to the action sequences. The dark, neon-infused cinematography enhances the film’s gritty yet fantastical tone.

Despite these improvements, some CGI-heavy moments feel weightless, particularly when Venom is interacting with his environment. While the special effects are impressive, they occasionally lack the practical weight needed to fully immerse the audience.

Tone and Humor – An Unbalanced Mix

One of the biggest criticisms of Venom: Let There Be Carnage was its inconsistent tone—jumping between dark horror elements and goofy buddy-comedy antics. The Last Dance continues this trend, with moments of horror-inspired tension being immediately undercut by jokes.

While the humor between Eddie and Venom remains a highlight, some comedic scenes feel forced. A few sequences drag on longer than necessary, slowing down the pacing of the story.

If the film had fully committed to a darker, more intense tone, it could have delivered a more emotionally impactful conclusion. Instead, it tries to balance multiple genres, which sometimes results in tonal whiplash.

Pacing and Narrative Structure

The movie’s pacing is uneven. The first act does a solid job of setting up Eddie and Venom’s predicament, but the second act feels rushed. New characters are introduced quickly without much development, and some plot points are resolved too conveniently.

The final act delivers the expected climactic showdown, but it lacks the emotional weight needed to make it truly memorable. While the stakes are high, the resolution feels predictable, and some character arcs are left underdeveloped.

Compared to the first Venom film, which had a more focused and contained story, The Last Dance attempts to go bigger but at the cost of deeper storytelling.

Connections to the Marvel Universe – A Missed Opportunity?

Since Venom exists within Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, fans have long speculated about a potential crossover with the MCU’s Spider-Man. While Venom: Let There Be Carnage teased a connection with Tom Holland’s Peter Parker, The Last Dance does not fully explore this opportunity.

This lack of a meaningful crossover feels like a missed chance, especially since Venom is one of Spider-Man’s most iconic foes. While there are references to the larger Marvel universe, they remain surface-level, leaving fans wanting more.

Box Office Performance and Critical Reception

Despite mixed reviews, Venom: The Last Dance performed well at the box office, continuing the franchise’s trend of commercial success.

Critics were divided on the film’s tone, pacing, and script, with some praising its entertainment value while others criticized its lack of narrative depth. Audience reactions were generally more positive, with many enjoying the action and humor despite the film’s flaws.

Final Verdict – A Fun but Imperfect Conclusion

Pros:

✔️ Tom Hardy’s charismatic performance remains the franchise’s biggest strength.
✔️ Visually stunning symbiote effects and action sequences.
✔️ The Eddie-Venom dynamic delivers comedic and heartfelt moments.

Cons:

❌ The villain lacks depth and emotional weight.
❌ Uneven pacing, with rushed character development.
❌ The tone shifts between horror and comedy too abruptly.
❌ Missed opportunity for a stronger connection to the larger Marvel Universe.

Overall, Venom: The Last Dance is a fun and action-packed ride that will satisfy fans of the franchise, but it falls short of delivering a truly memorable conclusion. While it improves upon certain technical aspects, its narrative inconsistencies and missed opportunities prevent it from reaching its full potential.

For casual viewers looking for an entertaining superhero film, Venom: The Last Dance delivers on spectacle. However, for those expecting a deep and emotionally resonant finale, it might leave some wanting more.