Exploring the Final Chapter of the Venom Trilogy
In the 2018 film “Venom,” Tom Hardy committed to a three-picture deal, bringing to life the complex saga of Eddie Brock, a man intertwined with a fanged, body-snatching alien parasite known as Venom. This enigmatic being flits in and out of his body like a hyper-violent prairie dog, creating chaos and mischief. The latest installment, “Venom: The Last Dance,” penned and directed by Kelly Marcel, aims to close the trilogy by emphasizing the sacrifices Eddie has made in his tumultuous partnership with this impulsive, wisecracking goo blob.
At the outset of the first movie, Eddie was depicted as an ambitious investigative journalist based in San Francisco, with a bright future and a loving fiancée portrayed by Michelle Williams. However, the sequel reveals a stark transformation; Eddie has become a disheveled drifter lost in a Mexican haze, having sacrificed his career, his relationship, and his dignity. As he runs from a murder accusation, Eddie humorously laments his inability to even keep a pair of shoes.
In many ways, this film serves as a poignant drama about a man grappling with loneliness, despite being joined with a garrulous and chaotic monster. Hardy impressively voices both the anxious Eddie and the gravelly Venom, delivering a dynamic performance that remains the primary draw of the series. Among the standout moments are the chaotic scene where Eddie/Venom hilariously attempts to mix a Michelada while dancing to “Tequila,” and the absurdity of Eddie being suctioned to the fuselage of an airplane, exclaiming, “It is so unpleasantly cold.” The duo even takes a detour to Las Vegas, embracing the city’s reputation for self-destruction, and whimsically dubbing themselves Thelma and Louise.
Despite these entertaining highlights, the film is bogged down by a host of underdeveloped supporting characters. Chiwetel Ejiofor plays a general, while Juno Temple and Clark Backo portray scientists at Area 51. Additionally, a hippy family led by Rhys Ifans adds to the eclectic mix. There’s also a formidable spidery antagonist that devours its victims like a ravenous wood chipper, only to reassemble its long limbs when sliced apart. As if that weren’t enough, a barely introduced major villain named Knull, played by Andy Serkis—who previously directed “Venom: Let There Be Carnage”—seems to exist solely to create a bridge to future comic book ventures.
