Venom: The Last Dance introduces us to super villain Knull. In the comics, Knull has beaten the Silver Surfer, the Avengers and the X-Men without breaking sweat. It led to a cooperation between several superhero teams to finally subdue him. He’s an immortal who can use darkness to form weapons and is also the creator of the symbiotes. It’s rumoured that he’s going to be the next supervillain of the Marvel universe. With Kang no longer in the work for the future Marvel films, Knull could be the perfect replacement. The most direct setup for Knull stems from Thor: Love and Thunder. The weapon wielded by its central antagonist, Gorr the God Butcher, is All-Black the Necrosword, which was built by Knull. And in Spider-Man: No Way Home’s post-credits scene, we catch a glimpse of a tiny bit of black symbiote. Leading to the speculation that Marvel can be cutting a deal with Sony to bring Venom into the MCU.

Venom: The Last Dance showcases the extraordinary talents of director Kelly Marcel and actor Tom Hardy, crafting a film that is both entertaining and audacious in its approach to the symbiote saga. Marcel, in her directorial debut, navigates the chaotic narrative with a deft hand, blending irreverent humour with action-packed sequences that keep viewers engaged from start to finish. One of the film’s most hilarious scenes is when Eddie and Venom meet San Francisco convenience store owner Mrs. Chen (Peggy Lu) in Vegas. That allows for an interlude in which Mrs. Chen and Venom dance to ABBA’s Dancing Queen. Another sequence involves meeting a goofy family who have a fetish for aliens. The family takes them to Area 51 in their beaten down camper van, where they come across a super secret project involving symbiotes. The finale involving a group of benevolent symbiotes bonding with a group of random humans to defeat minions will have you clamouring for more.

Tom Hardy delivers a standout performance as Eddie Brock, seamlessly embodying the character’s conflicted nature. His chemistry with the symbiote is electric, resulting in moments of hilarity and heart that elevate the film. The duo’s drunken escapades and outrageous misadventures—like Venom fusing with a horse—showcase Hardy’s comedic timing and the playful tone Marcel masterfully maintains.

While the film features a roster of talented actors like Chiwetel Ejiofor and Juno Temple, their roles sometimes feel underutilised. However, Marcel’s focus on the central duo ensures that the story remains tightly woven around Eddie and Venom’s antics, which are the film’s true heart.

Ultimately, Venom: The Last Dance is a fun-filled ride that perfectly balances humour and action, thanks to Kelly Marcel’s directorial prowess and Tom Hardy’s magnetic performance. It’s a film that not only entertains but also opens up exciting avenues for future storytelling in the superhero multiverse.