Venom: The Last Dance, released on October 25, 2024, marks the third and concluding chapter of the Venom series, delivering an action-packed yet emotionally charged finale to the story of Eddie Brock and his symbiotic counterpart. Directed by Kelly Marcel and featuring Tom Hardy reprising his dual role as Eddie and Venom, the film dives into a darkly humorous and chaotic journey, thrilling fans while introducing fresh challenges. While the film’s reception has been mixed, its unique tone and high-stakes plot make The Last Dance a noteworthy installment in Sony’s Marvel Universe. Below, we dive into the film’s plot, box office collection, and cast, followed by a comprehensive review.
Box Office Collection
The box office journey for Venom: The Last Dance has been impressive, with the movie showing a strong start across its first few days. Releasing in 4,125 theaters worldwide, the film managed to gather significant attention both domestically and internationally, with its largest markets being the U.S. and India. Here’s a look at the day-by-day box office breakdown for the first four days:
| Day | Date | Indian Box Office (in Crore) | USA Box Office (in million USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | (Paid Previews) | 4.6 Crore nett | $8.5M |
| Day 2 | October 26, 2024 | 7.2 Crore nett | $22M |
| Day 3 | October 27, 2024 | 8 Crore nett (Trade Figure) | $38.825M |
| Day 4 | October 28, 2024 | 8 Crore | $51M |
| Total Worldwide Earnings | $175M |
With a production budget of $110 million, Venom: The Last Dance has shown promising returns, breaking into the top charts for superhero movie openings in 2024 and becoming a top performer in the Sony Spider-Man Universe after Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Cast and Characters
The film features an exciting mix of returning characters and new faces who add depth and intensity to the narrative:
- Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock / Venom: Hardy returns to his iconic role, brilliantly portraying the complex and often humorous dynamic between Eddie and Venom, a relationship that oscillates between friendship and frustration.
- Chiwetel Ejiofor as Rex Strickland: As a soldier assigned to track down Eddie and Venom, Strickland’s character adds tension and conflict, delivering a compelling performance.
- Juno Temple as Dr. Teddy Payne / Agony: Playing a scientist who later bonds with the purple symbiote Agony, Temple’s character brings an intriguing mix of vulnerability and power, ultimately transforming into a fierce symbiotic entity.
- Rhys Ifans as Martin: Martin, a quirky, alien-obsessed hippie, provides moments of comic relief, making him a memorable part of the film’s lighter scenes.
- Peggy Lu as Mrs. Chen: Returning as the lovable convenience store owner, Mrs. Chen grounds the story with her kindness and wit, a human touch to counterbalance the high-octane symbiotic battles.
- Stephen Graham as Patrick Mulligan / Toxin: Now hosting a symbiote himself, Mulligan becomes an antagonist to Venom, raising the stakes in a climactic showdown.
- Andy Serkis as Knull: The movie’s main villain, Knull, the god of symbiotes, is a foreboding presence that heightens the plot’s gravity, setting up potential future expansions in the Sony Spider-Man Universe.
- Cristo Fernández as Bartender: A small but significant role, Fernández reprises his role from Spider-Man: No Way Home, subtly bridging the Sony and Marvel universes.
Review: High-Octane Action, Humor, and Visual Spectacle
Venom: The Last Dance provides fans with a finale that delivers thrilling action sequences, dark humor, and explosive symbiote battles. Tom Hardy is at the forefront, playing Eddie Brock with a mix of vulnerability and strength, capturing the struggle between himself and the symbiotic Venom. The pair’s road trip to New York – marked by several action-packed encounters, particularly one in Las Vegas and another at the mysterious Area 51 – showcases the relentless conflict they face as they evade both human and extraterrestrial foes.
Plot and Pacing
The storyline, while engaging, struggles slightly with pacing issues. While the stakes are high, the film often feels rushed in its progression from one battle to the next, leaving little room for deeper character exploration. Director Kelly Marcel, making her directorial debut, does a commendable job with the film’s action elements, but certain scenes lean heavily on familiar superhero tropes, leading some fans and critics to wish for more originality.
Soundtrack and Visual Effects
The soundtrack, composed by Dan Deacon, heightens the intensity, particularly in the fight sequences. Standout tracks, including Eminem’s “Venom (Final Bite)” and The Weeknd’s Last Dance, play a pivotal role in setting the tone for the high-energy action, while also offering a sense of finality. The visual effects are notably impressive, with Venom and the other symbiotes rendered in a way that feels both menacing and grotesque, fitting the film’s darker themes.
Critical and Fan Reception
Fans have lauded Venom: The Last Dance for its humor and action, appreciating Hardy’s performance and the film’s unique, darker tone. However, critics have been mixed in their reception. Some have pointed to the “sloppy” structure and “incoherent” narrative that detracts from the otherwise solid performances and intense action. Juno Temple’s role as Agony adds an interesting layer, but her transformation could have been given more screen time to explore her character’s arc in greater depth.
Spoilers: The Ending and Post-Credit Scenes
Spoiler Alert: The ending of Venom: The Last Dance is both heart-wrenching and filled with possibilities. In the climactic finale, Venom sacrifices himself to save Eddie and stop Knull’s monstrous creatures, creating a barrier that dissolves both himself and the Xenophage invaders. Eddie, finally free, returns to New York, where he takes a quiet moment before the Statue of Liberty to say a final goodbye to Venom.
The post-credit scenes hint at the continuation of the symbiote story. The first scene shows Knull in close-up, proclaiming, “The King in Black is awake,” implying that his next target may be Earth. The second, cryptic scene shows a bartender played by Cristo Fernández in a desolate cave, possibly linking the Sony Spider-Man Universe with the wider multiverse seen in Marvel’s Loki and Deadpool & Wolverine films.
Future Prospects: Sequel or Spin-Off?
Though marketed as the trilogy’s final chapter, Venom: The Last Dance leaves open the possibility of future films or spin-offs. The introduction of Knull, a key villain in the Marvel Universe, and the intriguing post-credit scenes suggest that Sony may have plans for expanding the Venom storyline. Tom Hardy has expressed interest in reprising his role, and there are hints that Venom may cross paths with Spider-Man in the near future, especially with Spider-Man 4 scheduled to begin filming next summer.
Conclusion
In summary, Venom: The Last Dance is a thrilling, albeit somewhat flawed, conclusion to the Venom trilogy. Hardy’s charismatic portrayal of Eddie and Venom, combined with high-stakes battles and dark humor, ensures that fans of the franchise will find plenty to enjoy. While the film does not fully escape the pitfalls of conventional superhero narratives, its humor, action, and visual spectacle make it a memorable and fitting end to the trilogy. With Venom’s future still a tantalizing possibility, The Last Dance may be an ending, but it leaves the door open for new beginnings in the Marvel universe.
