Venom: The Last Dance marks the anticipated finale in the Venom trilogy, featuring Tom Hardy’s dual role as Eddie Brock and the voice of the beloved alien symbiote, Venom. In this installment, the iconic duo faces threats on two fronts: relentless pursuit by the American army and the emergence of formidable symbiote-annihilating creatures hailing from Venom’s home planet.
The narrative hinges on the unique bond between Eddie and Venom, suggesting that their DNA holds a key – an extractable element capable of unleashing a new, universe-threatening antagonist. Directed by Kelly Marcel, “Venom: The Last Dance” clearly aims for an emotionally resonant conclusion to Eddie and Venom’s intertwined journey. However, certain narrative choices unfortunately pivot towards setting the stage for future symbiotic pairings and potential universe-ending threats, rather than delivering a definitive ending.
The expectation for the culmination of a cherished trilogy often centers on a decisive final showdown, the ultimate boss battle that brings closure. Instead, “Venom: The Last Dance” seems to prioritize the introduction of new characters, hinting at avenues for potential sequels, even as existing actor contracts conclude. While acknowledging the business imperatives of Marvel and its cinematic universe – sustaining successful franchises as long as fan enthusiasm and box office returns permit – the film’s narrative direction feels somewhat diluted.
Despite undeniably epic action sequences, a compelling performance by Hardy, consistently sharp humor, and the introduction of genuinely menacing monster designs, “Venom: The Last Dance” ultimately falls short of delivering the profound emotional impact one might expect from a trilogy’s conclusion. The film entertains and excites, but leaves a lingering sense that the true “last dance” may still be yet to come, or perhaps, was never truly intended in this iteration.
Anderson Templeton is a film critic with extensive experience in movie analysis and reviews.
