Yes, Venom fans, you read that right! For those eagerly awaiting the very last drop of symbiote action, Venom: The Last Dance delivers not one, but two post-credit scenes. If you’re wondering what these scenes mean for Eddie Brock, Venom, and the wider Sony Marvel universe, you’ve come to the right place. But be warned, we’re diving deep into spoiler territory for Venom: The Last Dance. If you haven’t experienced the symbiote showdown yet, perhaps swing over to our spoiler-free review first!
The curtain may have closed on the Venom trilogy, seemingly wrapping up the saga of Tom Hardy’s Eddie Brock and his beloved, brain-hungry symbiote partner. However, as any seasoned Marvel fan knows, the post-credits scene is where the real dance begins. While Venom: The Last Dance provides a definitive ending to this chapter, it cleverly leaves threads dangling, hinting at future storylines within Sony’s ever-expanding universe of Marvel characters. And let’s not forget Tom Hardy himself has teased his willingness to return to the role, further fueling speculation.
So, before we leap into dissecting those crucial post-credit moments, let’s briefly recap how Venom: The Last Dance sets the stage for these tantalizing teases.
The Looming Threat of Knull and the Xenophage Onslaught
Venom: The Last Dance throws viewers headfirst into the cosmic deep end with the introduction of Knull, the god of symbiotes. Comic book aficionados will recognize this formidable entity, brought to life by Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman. Interestingly, Andy Serkis, director of Venom: Let There Be Carnage, portrays Knull, who is imprisoned within a void on the symbiote homeworld, Klyntar. Knull’s escape hinges on the Codex, a symbiote genetic memory, and guess who happens to possess one? Our very own Venom, thanks to Eddie’s near-death experience in the first film.
:format(webp)/2024-05/venom-the-last-dance-1684440000334.jpg)
Knull unleashes his terrifying hounds, the Xenophages, to retrieve the Codex from Venom. These creatures can only detect the Codex when Eddie fully transforms into Venom, adding a layer of strategic cat-and-mouse to the narrative. The stakes are clear: the Codex’s survival is tied to both Eddie and Venom’s existence. Should either perish, the Codex is lost. This sets Eddie and Venom on a desperate run from both the Xenophages and government forces, the latter blaming Eddie for past incidents.
Enter Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Rex Strickland and Juno Temple’s Dr. Teddy Payne, agents of Area 55, a clandestine extraterrestrial research facility even more secretive than Area 51. Dr. Payne’s lab houses various symbiotes, including Toxin, bonded to Stephen Graham’s Patrick Mulligan (who survived the previous film). Toxin reveals Knull’s universe-threatening nature, uniting the unlikely allies to prevent Knull from seizing the Codex.
Venom: The Last Dance Climax and (Seeming) Sacrifice
The film culminates in a chaotic showdown at Area 55, where Xenophages breach the facility, unleashing pandemonium. Toxin and Mulligan meet their end, but the liberated symbiotes surprisingly ally with humans, bonding with staff to combat the Xenophage onslaught. This highlights a crucial point: symbiotes aren’t inherently malevolent; they are capable of cooperation and even heroism. The battle spills outdoors, escalating as more Xenophage reinforcements arrive, tipping the scales against our heroes.
Eddie and Venom, in the midst of the chaos, rescue a family of alien enthusiasts, including Rhys Ifans’ Martin (emphatically not Curt Connors, despite trailer speculation). Dr. Payne herself bonds with a symbiote, resembling Agony from the comics, gaining super-speed powers – a quirky addition attributed to a childhood lightning strike.
:format(webp)/2024-05/venom-the-last-dance-1684440000334.jpg)
Facing overwhelming odds against the rapidly healing Xenophages, Venom makes a heartbreaking decision. Realizing the Codex must be destroyed to thwart Knull, Venom sacrifices himself. He separates from Eddie, ensnaring the Xenophages in a sticky symbiote mass and plunging them both into an acid shower intended for Area 51 materials. The shower, coupled with Strickland’s ill-timed grenade explosion, vaporizes Venom, the Xenophages, the Codex, and tragically, Strickland himself. Knull, sensing the Codex’s destruction, unleashes a furious, silent scream. Payne, with her newfound speed, saves her colleague Sadie from the blast.
Eddie, now Venom-less and seemingly alone, awakens in a hospital. A general informs him his criminal record is expunged, on the condition he remains silent about his symbiote experiences. Eddie journeys to New York City, gazing at the Statue of Liberty – a landmark he and Venom once dreamed of seeing together – vowing to never forget his symbiotic partner.
The Post-Credit Scenes: What They Mean for Venom’s Future
But hold on, is this really the end? Thankfully, Venom: The Last Dance gifts us with two post-credit scenes that throw the door wide open for future possibilities, even if this particular Venom solo movie chapter is closed.
Mid-Credits Scene: Knull’s Ominous Warning
The mid-credits scene revisits Knull, and he is far from defeated. He delivers a chilling message: “Your champion has fallen, the King in Black is awake. Your world will burn, and you will watch!” This ominous declaration confirms that Knull remains a significant threat, and Sony clearly intends to feature him prominently in future projects. Director Kelly Marcel herself stated in an interview with IGN, “this is just the beginning for Knull.” This scene establishes Knull as a looming, universe-level threat, potentially setting him up as a major antagonist in upcoming Sony Marvel films.
End-Credits Scene: A Symbiote Spark of Hope?
The final post-credits scene takes us back to the bartender, played by Cristo Fernández, whom we first met in the Spider-Man: No Way Home post-credits scene. This variant bartender, sporting longer hair and residing in the Sony universe, was captured by Strickland’s forces earlier in the film. He emerges from the wreckage of Area 51, disoriented and calling out for anyone. Our attention is then drawn to a broken vial emitting a faint purple glow – seemingly containing Agony’s symbiote – and a cockroach approaches it. The scene ends there.
:format(webp)/2024-05/venom-the-last-dance-1684440000334.jpg)
This cryptic scene raises a crucial question: Is Venom truly gone? The answer is likely no. Remember when Strickland captured the bartender? He also inadvertently collected a small piece of Venom’s symbiote. Strickland contained this piece in a vial, strikingly similar to the one in the post-credits scene, and this vial’s fate was never explicitly addressed. Could this be the key to Venom’s resurrection? With Knull’s continued threat and Sony’s plans for more Marvel films, it would be surprising if the wildly popular Venom remained permanently sidelined. This end-credit scene subtly suggests a path for his return.
Another lingering thread is the shadowy figure who issued orders to Strickland, briefly glimpsed but never identified. Actor Reid Scott is credited as Doctor Dan Lewis, Anne Weying’s fiancé from previous films, suggesting he is the orchestrator. His motives remain unclear, but his interest in symbiotes is undeniable. Perhaps his storyline will be explored in Kraven the Hunter or another Sony Marvel project, further weaving the interconnected web of Sony’s Marvel universe.
So, what are your thoughts on Venom: The Last Dance and its post-credit scenes? Do you believe this is a satisfying conclusion for Eddie and Venom’s journey, or are you hoping for their inevitable return? Let’s discuss in the comments below!
