Venom: The Last Dance Review: A Lackluster Plot Makes This Dance Routine Spin Out Of Control

The helmet-headed alien with scary teeth is parting ways with the method actor he accompanied for so long. There are going to be tears, and you'll end up with a lump in your throat. The final film in Marvel's Venom trilogy, ‘The Last Dance’ will tug at your heartstrings but leave you underwhelmed when it comes to plot and character development.

Venom: The Last Dance: Plot

After the events of Venom 2: Let There Be Carnage, Eddie (played by a floral-shirt and crocs wearing Tom Hardy) is wanted for the murder of Patrick Mulligan (Stephen Graham)—except he isn't dead but being experimented on in an Area 51, which will soon be decommissioned by Washington.

As Eddie and Venom make their way out of Mexico (with Eddie hanging by the window of Airbus 320), they are attacked by a Xenophage, Venom's 'sister', who is looking for Codex. For the uninitiated, Venom is a symbiote created by Knull, the creator of the void.

Venom: The Last Dance: Performances

Knull is now trapped in the planet Klyntar by the symbiotes who rebelled against him. A Xenophage is creature that hunts down the Codex. A Codex is essentially a key to breaking Knull's prison. As long as Eddie and Venom (either of them) lives, the Codex lives. This critic wasnt really happy with the way plot is reverse engineered to kill Venom (it is one last dance, but don't we deserve a better plot?). The writing, Needless to say, seems lazy.

Meanwhile, Dr Paine (played by Juno Temple) tries to gather more information about the symbiotes as Sadie (Clark Backo), a Christmas pin wearing scientist, aids her in the Investigation. Eddie befriends Martin (Rhys Ifans), a white man who believes in alien conspiracy theories.

Venom: The Last Dance: Writing And Direction

Madtin's family comprises Nova Moon (Alanna Ubach) and his daughter, who, Venom says “will be in therapy for lifetime”. Much of the humour in the film is courtesy Martin's family and their banter with Eddie/Venom. Rex Strickland (Chiwetel Ejiofor) betrays Dr Paine and decides to erase the Codex once and for all.

Is the writing and the subsequent plot twist (of Eddie and Venom being the ‘Codex’) lazy? Yes. But director-writer Kelly Marcel and Tom Hardy manage to make the viewers feel for the two unlikely friends as they say goodbye to each other. There are also a surprise appearance by Mrs Chen (Peggy Lu) and a cheesy montage that plays out in the end when Eddie and Venom part ways.

Venom: The Last Dance: What Works, What Doesn't

What works well for the final part of Venom trilogy is the action sequences—there is an underwater chase sequence, a Venom-possessed horse galloping through Nevada desert and an explosive finale at a desolate Area 51. What does not work as much for the film is a lackluster plot that leaves much to be desired.

In fact, the film becomes predictable halfway through when Venom explains the terms ‘Xenophage’ and ‘Codex’ to Eddie like he is five. There are no twists or sudden surprises—just a finale that goes exactly how you'd expect. Is ‘Venom: The Last Dance’ a fitting conclusion to the trilogy? Maybe. But it strictly average as a standalone Marvel film. Rest, as Venom says (in a meta wink), “I am done with this multiverse bullshit”.

Star rating: 3 / 5 stars

Venom: The Last Dance is now playing in theaters.