The highly anticipated third installment in the Venom franchise, officially titled Venom: The Last Dance, has already hit theaters, bringing a dramatic close to the thrilling journey of Eddie Brock and his symbiotic partner, Venom. Released on October 25, 2024, the film has been a subject of immense discussion and anticipation among fans, eager to see how this wild ride concludes. This article delves into all the key information surrounding the film, from its release to its intricate plot, cast, and behind-the-scenes details, addressing all the burning questions fans have been asking.
The Release Date and Theatrical Run
Venom: The Last Dance made its grand theatrical debut on October 25, 2024, just in time for the Halloween season in both the US and the UK. This release date saw the film competing with other major releases like Joker: Folie à Deux, Smile 2, and Terrifier 3, showcasing Sony’s confidence in the film’s box office appeal. While initially there were some shifts in the release schedule, with dates moving between July 12, 2024, and November 8, 2024, the October 25th slot ultimately became the locked-in premiere. The previous two Venom films had performed remarkably well at the box office, making a theatrical-exclusive run a clear choice for Sony. Fans who missed it on the big screen can now look forward to its eventual release on OTT platforms, with some speculation pointing towards Disney+ as a potential streaming home, given that the first Venom film is already available there.
The Plot: A Desperate Escape and a Devastating Decision
The narrative of Venom: The Last Dance picks up directly after the events of Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Eddie Brock’s brief, yet memorable, detour into the Marvel Cinematic Universe during Spider-Man: No Way Home’s post-credits scene. Eddie and Venom are now fugitives, hunted by both earthly forces and a far more menacing threat from Venom’s home world. The core of the plot revolves around their desperate struggle to survive and a “devastating decision” that will ultimately define their bond and bring the curtains down on their saga.
The film wastes no time in establishing the stakes. After being pulled back to their home universe (Earth-688) from Earth-616 (the MCU), Eddie and Venom find themselves in Mexico, still reeling from their multiverse experience. Their brief encounter with a bartender, who was also momentarily in the MCU, further highlights their displacement. However, their respite is short-lived. A mysterious military man named Rex Strickland, portrayed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, emerges as a relentless pursuer, leading a government operation called “Imperium” at Area 51 (or rather, Area 55, a facility 100 feet underground dedicated to capturing and studying symbiotes). Strickland manages to obtain a sample of Venom, setting the stage for a dangerous pursuit.
Adding another layer of complexity, Detective Patrick Mulligan, who was seemingly left for dead at the end of Let There Be Carnage after his encounter with Carnage, is revealed to have survived and is now bonded with another symbiote. He is captured by Imperium and questioned by their researchers, including Dr. Teddy Paine (Juno Temple) and Sadie “Christmas” (Clark Backo), providing crucial insights into the symbiotes’ purpose on Earth.
The true antagonist, however, is Knull, the ancient and formidable creator of the symbiotes, voiced by Andy Serkis (who also directed Let There Be Carnage). Knull has unleashed monstrous creatures called Xenophages into the universe, whose mission is to retrieve a “Codex.” This Codex is formed when a symbiote resurrects its host, essentially fusing two life forces into one, and it is the key to Knull’s freedom from the prison the symbiotes trapped him in eons ago. Venom reveals that his re-bonding with Eddie after previous near-death experiences has created a Codex, making them a prime target for Knull’s forces.
Eddie and Venom attempt to make their way to New York but find themselves hitchhiking to Las Vegas with an alien-obsessed family led by Martin (Rhys Ifans). In Vegas, they briefly reunite with Mrs. Chen (Peggy Lu) at a casino, where Venom amusingly gets addicted to slot machines. However, their gambling escapade is interrupted by another Xenophage attack. Strickland’s team ambushes them, separating Venom from Eddie and taking them to Area 51.
Within Area 51, Eddie reunites with Mulligan. Mulligan’s symbiote reveals that the base houses an army of contained symbiotes that could aid in fighting the Xenophages. Sadie, one of the Imperium researchers, helps free Venom, who re-bonds with Eddie after Strickland shoots him, further attracting the Xenophage to the base. In the ensuing chaotic battle, Mulligan is tragically killed by Knull’s forces. Venom, in a desperate move, releases the other confined symbiotes, who then bond with Sadie and other hosts to fight off the invading Xenophages. However, the presence of the Codex has already signaled Knull.
In a poignant and sacrificial moment, Venom realizes that to destroy the Codex and save the universe, he must merge with the Xenophages and lead them into acid tanks, effectively sacrificing himself. He bids a tearful farewell to Eddie, ejecting him before Strickland, mortally wounded, detonates grenades to ensure their destruction.
The film’s mid-credits scene shows Knull declaring that the universe is no longer safe from him, hinting at a larger threat. The post-credits scene offers a glimmer of hope for the future, showing the bartender from the No Way Home cameo, who was taken into custody by Strickland, escaping the burned remains of Area 51, and crucially, a tease that a sample of Venom survived, implying a potential future reunion with Eddie. This ending leaves the door ajar for future narratives, even if it marks the end of Tom Hardy’s direct trilogy.
The Creative Team: A New Vision at the Helm
Venom: The Last Dance marks a significant shift in the directorial chair. While Andy Serkis helmed Venom: Let There Be Carnage, the third film sees Kelly Marcel take on the dual role of director and screenwriter. Marcel has been a key figure in the Venom franchise from the beginning, having penned the scripts for the first two films and co-writing the story for The Last Dance with Tom Hardy. This directorial debut for Marcel brings a fresh perspective to the franchise, with Hardy expressing immense pride and trust in her vision. Her deep understanding of the characters and the established tone of the Venom films allowed for a seamless transition, ensuring the continuity of the quirky, action-packed, and emotionally resonant elements that fans have come to expect.
The cinematography for Venom: The Last Dance was handled by Fabian Wagner, known for his work on projects like Game of Thrones. His expertise contributed to the film’s visual style, enhancing both the action sequences and the more intimate moments between Eddie and Venom. The costume design by Daniel Orlandi and the art direction by Aja Kai Rowley, Sam Leake, Andrew Palmer, Jourdan Mckee, and Miranda Keeble further solidified the film’s aesthetic.
Production Journey: Overcoming Challenges
The production of Venom: The Last Dance faced its share of challenges, particularly the Hollywood strikes of 2023 (WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes). Filming commenced in Spain at the end of June 2023 but was halted in July due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. Production resumed in November 2023 after the strike concluded, allowing the team to push forward. Tom Hardy himself announced the resumption of filming on Instagram, expressing gratitude to the cast and crew for their dedication. The film was completed by the end of February 2024, and its official title, Venom: The Last Dance, was revealed a month later, building anticipation for its October release.
FAQs
Has Venom: The Last Dance already been released on digital platforms or streaming services?
Yes, Venom: The Last Dance had an early digital release. It became available for digital purchase and rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, and VUDU starting December 10, 2024. As for streaming, it was made available on Netflix starting February 25, 2025. In India specifically, the film was also available for rent on platforms like Prime Video, BookMyShow Stream, and ZEE5 (OTTplay Premium) before its Netflix debut on January 25, 2025.
Is Venom: The Last Dance the final film in the Venom series?
Yes, Sony has confirmed that Venom: The Last Dance is indeed the final film in the Venom trilogy. While actor Tom Hardy, who plays Eddie Brock/Venom, has hinted at a potential return to the role and a Spider-Man crossover, the current official stance from Sony is that this movie concludes the storyline for Eddie and Venom.
What is Venom: The Last Dance about?
In Venom: The Last Dance, Eddie Brock and his symbiote companion, Venom, find themselves on the run. They are pursued by a mysterious military figure and alien monsters from Venom’s home world. The film sees them making a devastating decision as they navigate this new threat, trying to make it to New York while encountering new characters and challenges, including an alien-obsessed family. The plot also delves into the concept of Knull, the symbiote’s creator, and sets him up for potential future appearances within Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU).
Will Spider-Man appear in Venom: The Last Dance?
Despite the close ties between the Spider-Man and Venom cinematic universes, and teases in previous post-credits scenes, official statements from both Sony and Marvel indicate that a full-blown crossover with Tom Holland’s Spider-Man in Venom: The Last Dance is not confirmed. While the film addresses the multiverse quandary from Spider-Man: No Way Home, pulling Eddie and Venom back to the Sony-verse, a direct Spider-Man appearance is not a central plot point.
The Future of Venom and the SSU
While Venom: The Last Dance has been confirmed by Sony Motion Pictures Group chairman Tom Rothman as the final film centered on Tom Hardy’s iteration of the character, it doesn’t necessarily spell the end for the broader Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU). Rothman emphasized that the film would be “huge,” indicating a strong finish to the trilogy.
The SSU has faced challenges in consistently gaining the same level of traction as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, despite attempts to bridge the two with cameos like Hardy’s in No Way Home and Michael Keaton’s in Morbius. However, with other SSU films like Kraven the Hunter also on the horizon, Sony is clearly evaluating its long-term strategy for this interconnected universe of Spider-Man-related characters.
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