Kelly Marcel’s “Venom: The Last Dance,” the third installment in Sony’s Venom franchise, was released in theaters on Oct. 25, 2024. Upon the movie’s announcement in the first trailer, released in early June, many fans of the previous films looked forward to seeing the iconic duo back in theaters. This can be seen especially in the two trailers, which have earned nearly 60 million views in total.
Actor Tom Hardy delivered an outstanding performance in his dual roles of Eddie Brock and Venom, perfectly capturing the dynamic of a dysfunctional yet affectionate relationship between the characters. This film’s standout features are the comedic and chaotic bond between Brock and his CGI co-star and the heightened emotional depth of the film.
While actors from the previous two films made their returns, such as Peggy Lu portraying Mrs. Chen and Reid Scott portraying Dr. Dan Lewis, this film also introduces new characters, such as Rex Strickland, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor and Martin Moon, portrayed by Rhys Ifans. A character that caused excitement among many fans of the comics is Knull, the creator of Venom and every other symbiote, portrayed by Andy Serkis.
As far as the action of this film goes, it did not disappoint. Like the previous films, “Venom: The Last Dance” is full of humor that is often intentionally over the top, allowing audiences to laugh with the movie rather than laugh at it. Not only do the absurd comedic aspects of the film consistently land, but they also effectively transition into high-energy action scenes. This film avoids the chaotic CGI scenes that the previous movies utilized. Instead, this film embraces a more grounded visual style while delivering outstanding action-packed symbiote-versus-symbiote combat scenes.
Besides its absurd comedic and chaotic aspects, this film also includes surprising emotional scenes, especially during a section focused solely on the bond between Brock and Venom. These heartfelt scenes added a layer of depth that the previous two films lacked, and it was interesting to see a new approach that steers away from strictly action and comedy scenes.
I noticed the uneven pacing between high-action sequences and slower, more character-focused moments in this film. While the large amount of humor and high action keep the energy up in certain scenes, the transitions to quieter moments dedicated to exploring Eddie and Venom’s unconventional relationship feel choppy, making some quieter scenes underwhelming.
A part of this film that seemed to drag out was the subplots surrounding some of the supporting characters, which felt underdeveloped and shallow due to the chaotic and emotional level seen in other areas of the movie. However, the climax of this film ramps up the intensity during the film’s final fight, providing a thrilling and emotional ending.
Ultimately, “Venom: The Last Dance” delivers a fitting conclusion for the series, offering an entertaining yet emotional sendoff for its characters. While this film shines in its absurdity and heartfelt moments, the committed performance from Hardy, and the unique dynamic between Eddie Brock and Venom, the jumpy pacing and shallow scenes cause some parts to feel underdeveloped. Despite its flaws, the film was an enjoyable experience, and I recommend it to those who enjoyed the previous films and general fans.
