By Anthony Caruso
Venom: The Last Dance is a film that, for better or worse, perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the Venom series: it’s chaotic, messy, full of CGI battles, ridiculously over-the-top, and filled with some awful humor that misses more than it hits. If you've enjoyed the previous two Venom films, you’ll find more of the same here. But if you were hoping for a leap in quality or a redefined tone, prepare for disappointment. Like the first two installments, this third outing feels like a time capsule in many ways. It's very reminiscent of the type of superhero films that dominated the late nineties and early aughts. It's a CGI-fueled spectacle that's flashy but feels dated and has an incoherent plot that's held together mostly by Eddie Brock and Venom's dynamic, which has certainly been the heart of this trilogy.
There’s no question that The Last Dance doubles down on the franchise’s formula. The plot is convoluted if one can piece it together amid all the explosions and monster fights. The film continues Eddie’s journey with the symbiote, Venom, as they face new threats while the inevitability of a looming confrontation with Knull, the symbiote god teased as a universe-ending big bad, lurks ominously in the background. While this setup has potential, it’s sadly bogged down by a lackluster script that prioritizes action over coherence. The result is an entertaining but bewildering final chapter that doesn’t quite know what to do with the cosmic mythology it introduces.
Visually, the movie suffers from over reliance on CGI that, while certainly expensive, lacks polish. The action scenes are chaotic and occasionally thrilling, but the CGI-heavy battles often feel weightless. It’s as though the filmmakers focused on amping up the spectacle without considering the stakes or emotional impact. Knull’s appearance, teased as the “ultimate villain,” is ultimately underwhelming, coming across more as a bland, computer-generated antagonist than the terrifying presence needed to set up future movies.
The film’s saving grace, once again, is the undeniable chemistry between Tom Hardy's Eddie Brock and his symbiotic alter ego, Venom. Their bickering, bizarre partnership has been the franchise’s signature, and here, it reaches its emotional zenith as the two embark on what is essentially a road trip. There’s an attempt to bring a sense of closure to their story, and while it’s not as effective as it could have been with a stronger trilogy, there’s genuine emotion in their farewell. By the time the credits roll, fans who've followed their relationship from the beginning may find themselves unexpectedly moved. Hardy’s dedication to both the characters of Eddie and Venom has been commendable. He somehow grounds the absurdity with sincerity, making it easier to invest in the story even as it spirals out of control.
Perhaps the most curious aspect of The Last Dance is its setup for a future crossover within Sony’s Universe of Marvel Characters. With characters like Madame Web, Morbius, and Kraven now floating around Sony’s playground, it seems inevitable they’re building toward some type of team-up event. While logic suggests this will be a mess of epic proportions, it’s hard not to feel a tinge of excitement at the prospect of watching these antiheroes unite to face a common foe. (I mean come on; they're building up Knull as a universe-ending threat for that exact reason, right?) Whether this crossover would be good is another question entirely (though let's face it, it likely wouldn’t be), but there’s undeniable potential for a “so bad it’s good” type of movie, especially if Sony embraces the campy charm that has permeated the "Venom" series.
Ultimately, Venom: The Last Dance won’t change anyone’s mind about the franchise. It’s a far cry from the polished early days of Disney's successful Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it has a certain charm and guilty-pleasure appeal that’s difficult to dismiss entirely. The movie is flawed, to be sure, but it’s still an entertaining romp through Eddie and Venom’s bizarre world. If you’re a fan of the first two Venom films, you’ll likely find something to enjoy here. And while it may not be the best superhero movie of the year, it’s a fun watch for those who’ve grown attached to this unlikely duo. Plus, it's nowhere near as bad as the outings for Madame Web and The Crow have been; and I still enjoyed it more than Deadpool & Wolverine, which was nothing but fan service and didn't even attempt to have a story outside of its multiversal cameos. This is a film I’ll revisit on streaming now and then—not because it’s a cinematic masterpiece, but because it has its own unique brand of chaotic fun.