The anticipation was palpable. As the credits rolled for “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” the promise of a thrilling conclusion, “Venom: The Last Dance,” hung heavy in the air. However, what transpired on screen felt less like a grand finale and more like a stumble across the finish line. While avoiding the simplistic label of “Marvel slop,” it’s impossible to ignore the glaring issues that plague this latest installment in the Venom saga. For fans hoping for a return to form, or even just a consistently enjoyable superhero flick, “Venom: The Last Dance” unfortunately misses the mark. This isn’t just a matter of unmet expectations; the film struggles with fundamental aspects of storytelling, leaving viewers scratching their heads and wondering what could have been.
Villain Trouble: Knull and the Case of the Missing Menace
One of the most significant shortcomings of “Venom: The Last Dance” is its underwhelming antagonist situation. The film introduces Knull, a character with apparent deep roots in Marvel Comics lore, positioned as the primary threat. Yet, his presence on screen is minimal and his impact even less so. Instead of a tangible, menacing villain, we’re presented with shadowy creatures dispatched through portals – vaguely defined “cockroach-esque monsters” as described in early reactions. Knull himself remains an abstract concept, failing to establish any real sense of dread or urgency. The opening scene meant to introduce him falls flat, offering little in the way of exposition or establishing his motivations, resulting in a visually muddled and narratively confusing introduction.
Adding to the villain problem is the casting of Andy Serkis. While Serkis is a talented actor, his repeated appearances within the Marvel universe raise eyebrows. Is this a concerning trend? Recycling recognizable faces to boost box office numbers feels like a shallow tactic, prioritizing recognition over fresh, compelling character portrayals. The worry is that this approach signals a lack of creative depth, leaning on familiar names rather than investing in strong, original storytelling. The rumored return of Robert Downey Jr., despite Iron Man’s definitive and impactful conclusion in “Avengers: Endgame,” further fuels this concern. Such decisions risk undermining previous narrative arcs for short-term gains, sacrificing long-term storytelling integrity for potential momentary audience excitement. But let’s refocus; this is, after all, about “Venom: The Last Dance”.
Plot Problems: A Tangled Web of Disconnected Threads
Beyond the villain issue, the plot of “Venom: The Last Dance” struggles to coalesce into a coherent narrative. The movie attempts to juggle multiple storylines, none of which are given sufficient attention or development. We are introduced to a doctor with a mysterious past, a seemingly random family that Eddie Brock encounters while hitchhiking, the inexplicable return of Mrs. Chen, and the overarching threat of Knull. However, these threads feel disjointed and underdeveloped. The doctor’s storyline remains vague and poorly explained, the family dynamic feels forced and often descends into cringeworthy moments, and Mrs. Chen’s reappearance appears purely for fan service, lacking any real narrative purpose. Crucially, the central villain plotline involving Knull is never adequately resolved, leaving the film’s conclusion feeling anticlimactic and ultimately pointless.
This narrative fragmentation, combined with the now-standard Marvel formula of forced humor and quippy dialogue, weighs heavily on the viewing experience. While the film attempts to justify the increased levity by highlighting Eddie and Venom’s improved symbiotic relationship, the execution often falls flat. The infamous “hola b*tches!” line delivered to a group of people, for example, is less humorous and more jarringly out of place. Similarly, a scene focused on Eddie and Venom struggling to synchronize their “we are Venom” catchphrase, culminating in Eddie’s awkward “we are totally gonna need to work on that” line before abruptly devouring heads, exemplifies the movie’s tonal inconsistencies and reliance on cheap, unfunny gags.
Tonal Whiplash: Lost in a Sea of Inconsistency
Another significant flaw in “Venom: The Last Dance” is its jarring tonal inconsistency. The film seems unsure of its own identity, oscillating between attempting to recapture the darker, grittier atmosphere of the first “Venom” movie and venturing into a new, lighter direction with expanded side characters. While the latter appears to be the intended path, the underdeveloped nature of these side characters leaves the film primarily focused on the Eddie-Venom dynamic, a pairing that had already begun to feel stale by the second installment.
Tom Hardy, to his credit, delivers a committed performance, injecting energy and charisma into Eddie Brock. However, even his efforts cannot salvage the meandering plot, which lurches from one underdeveloped idea to the next. Scenes like Venom at a casino, a bizarre musical interlude with Mrs. Chen, or the family’s forced attempts to get Eddie to sing along feel random and disconnected, raising the fundamental question: “Why is any of this happening?” These sequences lack narrative purpose and contribute to the film’s overall sense of aimlessness.
Adding to the tonal whiplash, the film abruptly shifts gears in its final act. After a largely carefree and directionless narrative, the stakes are suddenly raised dramatically in the last twenty minutes. In a rushed and ultimately unearned emotional beat, Venom sacrifices himself to defeat one of Knull’s creatures. This sacrifice, intended to be a poignant moment, feels hollow and inconsequential within the larger context of the film. It lacks the emotional weight and narrative justification necessary to resonate with the audience, leaving viewers once again asking, “Why is any of this happening, and why should we care?”
Final Verdict: An Execution, Not a Dance
“Venom: The Last Dance” aimed to be a bittersweet farewell to a beloved anti-hero. Instead, it stumbles and falls, undone by a confused and convoluted plot that undermines any potential emotional impact. Rather than providing a meaningful conclusion to Eddie Brock’s story, the film feels like a transitional piece, setting up future storylines involving Knull and the underdeveloped doctor character. In doing so, it diminishes Eddie Brock’s character arc and prioritizes franchise expansion over character closure. While Tom Hardy’s performance remains a highlight, “Venom: The Last Dance” ultimately feels less like a celebratory final dance and more like an unfortunate execution of the character – and perhaps the audience’s patience. Overall, this movie earns a disappointing 4 out of 10. It’s not just bad; it’s largely unwatchable.
