Venom: The Last Dance review: Tom Hardy’s sombre farewell to his symbiote buddy

New Delhi: Tom Hardy’s Venom trilogy comes to a rather underwhelming end with Venom: The Last Dance. A movie that seems to lose its footing after finding an odd yet entertaining rhythm in its predecessor. Well, fans of the franchise, particularly those who revel in the weird, buddy-cop dynamic between Eddie Brock and his slimy alien counterpart Venom. One likely finds moments to enjoy this fan service film. But for others, this final chapter feels rushed, even disjointed.

Venom: The Last Dance review

The movie picks up where Venom: Let There Be Carnage left off. Eddie and Venom find themselves pulled into the multiverse. However, what could have been an exciting exploration of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is almost immediately abandoned. The two are tossed back into their own world, forced into a dull and directionless road trip as fugitives on the run. Along the way, we encounter the infamous Area 55, a shadowy government lab experimenting with symbiotes, which leads to the introduction of a new villain, Knull, the godlike creator of symbiotes.

Knull is built up to be a major threat. Yet he spends most of the movie brooding on his swampy home planet. Actually, he instead sends alien monsters, the Xenophages, to do his dirty work. Surprisingly, there’s nothing villainous about this villain. His lack of presence and interaction with the main characters leaves much to be desired, especially after the frenetic energy of Let There Be Carnage. The previous instalment thrived on the chaotic dynamic between Hardy and Woody Harrelson’s Cletus Kasady.

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Tom Hardy in Venom: The Last Dance

Tom Hardy, as always, is the film’s saving grace. His portrayal of Eddie Brock is as awkward, paranoid, and tragically isolated as ever. Meanwhile, his symbiote bud Venom continues to provide the film’s comic relief with his childlike need for chocolates and brains. The interplay between Eddie and Venom has always been the heart of the trilogy. There’s something oddly endearing about their dysfunctional symbiotic relationship. At times it feels more like a toxic yet necessary partnership.

Knull: The laziest villain in the Superhero universe

The film’s supposed big bad guy is disappointingly underutilised. The character, with his long hair and brooding aura, is introduced with much fanfare. However, he spends most of the movie as a looming threat rather than an active antagonist. The film instead focuses on the Xenophages, monstrous creatures sent to track down Eddie and Venom. While the Xenophages are visually striking, their existence feels more like a distraction than a real danger.

Music, action and more

Remember early August when millions were shaking their booty on Bye Bye Bye! Yep, you might not see something like that happening again. Superhero movies with a cliché plotline solely depend on their background score and high-octane action sequences. However, Venom 3 has nothing more to offer other than the age-old chemistry of Eddie and his symbiote pal. The film’s pace is erratic, with action sequences that lack the punch and creativity of previous instalments. You will yearn for the energy and unpredictability that made Let There Be Carnage so enjoyable.

WTF: Where’s The Flaw?

Venom: The Last Dance stumbles over its own ambitions. It is unsure whether it wants to be a serious superhero flick or a goofy, self-aware romp. The film’s attempts at humour, like Venom transforming into various animals or participating in a dance number, feel out of place and poorly timed. These points even though fun, are fleeting certainly do not make up for the lack of an easy-going chronology.

Director Kelly Marcel, who also co-wrote the previous Venom films, struggles to strike the right balance between humour, action, and emotional depth. This results in a movie that feels more like a missed opportunity than a fitting farewell.

Watch Venom: The Last Dance only if you wish to see Tom Hardy in a Tuxedo and his regular banter with Venom.