After that god awful “Madame Web” movie flopped both critically and financially, Sony’s fifth installment their cinematic universe, “Venom: The Last Dance” picks up where “Spider-Man: No Way Home” left off. Venom & Eddie are transported back to their own universe. Framed for murder in their last movie, “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” the duo run from the law. Meanwhile, Knull the creator of symbiotes sends his monsters to kill Venom. He carries a codex inside his body. If he dies, Knull will break free and unleash an apocalypse on Earth.
Released in 2024, (same year Indiana Jones and the Great Circle came out) it received negative reviews from critics, fans and movie goers alike. Surprisingly, it was a commercial hit. “Kraven the Hunter” flopped both critically and financially prompting Sony to seize plans for other solo movies like Donald Glover as Hypno Hustler. They got their way together producing standalone TV show of Spider-Noir with Nicolas Cage. However, it got cancelled. Anyway, Sony’s working on a TV show based on Spider-Man storyline, “The Clone Saga.” As of late 2026, no release date confirmed.
It doesn’t matter if SPOILERS are present. This solo threequel is a dud.
Hungry & Empty Aspects
Hungry: Tom Hardy reprises his dual role as Venom & Eddie Brock one last time. He did a decent job for his performance.
Other Cast Members such as Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple, Rhys Ifans, Stephen Graham, Alanna Ubach & Andy Serkis all did a solid job for their respective performances.
Action Sequences are pretty good.
Visual Effects are Class A.
Chemistry between Venom & Eddie serves as the main highlight.
Only joke that made me laugh is when Venom uses Eddie body to play a slot machine.
A Post-Credits Scene is optional. A black cockroach crawls out next to a broken vial. This indicates Venom’s still alive.
Empty: Kelly Marcel did a terrible job directing. She didn’t do so well writing the script.
Supporting Cast is forgettable. I only cared about Venom & Eddie.
None of the jokes (except the slot machine gag) are not funny.
Mrs. Chen coincidentally pops up in Las Vegas where Venom & Eddie seek shelter. Just a big excuse for that horrendous dance scene.
Speaking of which, Venom made a really big boo boo. Remember he told Eddie the Xenophage can only track him down in full form? How did he screw up? Venom dances with Mrs. Chen to ABBA’s “Dancing Queen.” Allowing the Xenophage to pinpoint his location. EGADS! This gave me “Spider-Man 3” flashbacks! The infamous dance scene with Peter Parker. I hate random dance scenes! Marvel has a bad rep injecting an eye rolling dance scene besides Spider-Man 3. Look, I’m willing to Star-Lord’s dance scene in “Guardians of the Galaxy.” He has a mixtape that belonged to his late mother. It played a significant part of his characterization. Venom however, lacks this trait. Anyway, Tripling Down Points for insulting my intelligence.
- Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
- Iron Man 2
- Morbius
- She-Hulk
- Madame Web
Sony did not add anything new to their cinematic universe. They recycle tropes from previous entries, copy movies and trying too hard to be relevant as the MCU. It’s like that one “Ed, Edd n’ Eddy” episode, “Once Bitten Twice Ed.” Eddy repeats the same scam over and over lacking originality. Never learns his lesson. You heard me, originality.
- Aforementioned dance in Marvel entries.
- Xenophage is a knock-off of the bug monsters from “Starship Troopers.”
- The Last Dance never changes the tone into a serious one. They retain the buddy movie route as in Thor & Hulk’s chemistry in “Thor: Ragnarok.” Let There Be Carnage was oaky with the comedy, but the third one didn’t tone it down.
- Knull serves as an arc villain like Thanos. Like the purple mad titan, Knull sits on his throne.
- Martin utters out the F-Word. Wolverine said it better in “X-Men: First Class.”
- A threequel with a road trip plot. It’s “Logan” for crying out loud!
Sony wasted a good opportunity to let Venom venture into R-rated territory. Sadly, Kraven the Hunter got as their first movie within their cinematic universe.
Venom often mentioned he always wanted to go to New York City. See the Statue of Liberty. At first, I was expected a Spider-Man cameo. After Venom sacrificed himself in the final battle, Eddie travels alone in the Big Apple. Dagnabbit! No Spidey cameo! After all that subtle buildup, Venom & Eddie’s journey as a duo lacked the necessary ingredient, an encounter with Spider-Man. That’s like Mario without Bowser. I’m also Tripling Down Points. I’ll never get to see Tom Holland & Tom Hardy having an epic onscreen battle.
A Mid-Credits Scene is worthless. Doesn’t tie into Kraven the Hunter or “Spider-Man Beyond the Spider-Verse.”
The Final Verdict: F, FOR FAKER!
Like Mademe Web, Venom the Last Dance is a steaming pile of crud. A darn shame Sony only cares about quantity over quality. After Kraven’s solo movie, I’m glad Sony scrapped plans for further installments in favor of co-producing Tom Holland’s Spidey movies and animated Spider-Verse movies. I bet Doctor Doom will destroy Sony’s Spider-Man Universe in Avengers: Doomsday. I’m ready to move on to see the X-Men in the MCU.
I hope someday, Venom will cross paths with Spider-Man in the MCU. He’s my favorite Marvel villain.
