Cast: Tom Hardy, Juno Temple, Alanna Ubach, Stephen Graham, Rhys Ifans, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cristo Fernández
Genre: Superhero, Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Director: Kelly Marcel
In Irish Cinemas: Now
In much of Tom Hardy’s filmography, he rarely gets to showcase his quirky, offbeat side. However, the “Venom” films offer him a unique outlet for that eccentricity, letting him lean into the oddball humour of Eddie Brock and his alien symbiote, Venom. Now, as Hardy possibly takes his last ride into the sunset as this unconventional duo, he does so with an incredibly over-the-top twist: a Venom-infused horse—a playful but poignant nod to the heights (and the peculiarities) that his superhero franchise aspired to but never quite achieved. Venom: The Last Dance wraps up a trilogy featuring Hardy as both the embattled journalist Eddie Brock and his ever-hungry alien partner in crime. Like Ryan Reynolds embodies Deadpool, Hardy has become the heart and soul of this chaotic, zinger-loaded “lethal protector” series. However, unlike the tightly directed vision behind Deadpool’s cinematic outings, the Venom series lacks consistent creative direction and narrative cohesion. The result? It is another hit-or-miss comic-book romp that balances sincerity with goofiness, sometimes undermining the ferocity of its iconic antihero. Yet, it still delivers a surprising new angle: the fierce, relentless Venom as a paternal figure, embracing an unexpected role as a “big baddie daddy” in this oddly heartfelt farewell.
In 2018, Ruben Fleischer’s lacklustre “Venom” introduced audiences to Eddie Brock and his alien counterpart, Venom, though it left a little lasting impact. Three years later, Andy Serkis took the reins with “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” giving the series an eccentric, audacious twist. Now, with the third film helmed by Kelly Marcel, the narrative wraps up Eddie and Venom’s humorous flirtation with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After Venom quips, “I’m so done with the multiverse!” they exit the MCU cameos seen in prior mid-credits scenes and return to their universe, where they’re fugitives wanted for the murder of Bay Area detective Mulligan (Stephen Graham). The two aren’t merely dodging law enforcement; they’re also being hunted by deadly creatures unleashed by Knull (portrayed by Serkis), a menacing figure who reigns over the symbiotes. Knull’s appearance evokes a mix of cosmic overlord with a touch of Targaryen flair from “Game of Thrones.” Trapped on a distant planet, Knull views Venom as the key to his escape and the annihilation he intends to unleash. To thwart him, Eddie and Venom embark on a chaotic road trip to New York City, encountering a variety of oddities along the way. This misadventure includes an unexpected family squeezed into a mini-bus and turbulent pit stops in Las Vegas and the infamous Area 51. At the same time, the stakes escalate in their fight for survival.
In this fictional take on Nevada’s most notorious government site, often linked with real-life UFO conspiracies, it becomes a secret facility where symbiotes are held in captivity. The subplot involving Chiwetel Ejiofor as a stern military general and Juno Temple, known for “Ted Lasso,” as a dedicated scientist, feels underwhelming initially but picks up steam once Venom and Eddie arrive. Unfortunately, chaotic CGI showdowns between vibrant symbiotes and uninspired extraterrestrial creatures only detract from what the “Venom” films do best—leaning into the quirky, chaotic dynamic between Eddie and Venom. Eddie, the frazzled human host, tries to serve as a voice of reason. At the same time, the gruff, irrepressible Venom embodies pure, uninhibited id—throwing out references to “Swingers,” occasionally snacking on a bad guy, and just savouring life. Hardy’s portrayal of this oddball duality—a mix of straight-man exasperation and gleeful savagery—adds an underappreciated layer to the superhero genre, delivering a uniquely twisted buddy-comedy vibe that rarely gets recognised. However, this time, the film’s edge is dulled by an overreliance on sentimentality that replaces some of the series’ usual darkly comedic violence.
Overall: 5.5/10
Movie Reviewer
