Venom Movies: Ridiculous But Entertaining Pandemonium
The Venom films are undoubtedly absurd. A clumsy journalist (Tom Hardy) is possessed by a sticky black symbiote (voiced by Hardy himself), causing him to run around uncontrollably as if controlled by an invisible puppeteer. The alien’s constant buzzing chatter, which is inaudible to others, makes him appear to be a madman talking to himself to the onlooker.
This bizarre story became a great blend of humor and physical comedy in the three-film franchise, thanks to Tom Hardy’s brilliant performance. Who can forget when he jumped into a restaurant’s lobster tank to eat his afternoon snack? Or Venom’s funny but terrifying line—”like a poop in the air”—to mock his victim’s misery. This strange but fascinating chaos is what makes the Venom franchise stand out.
Venom: An absurd but heartfelt true story
Despite being absurd, the Venom films are also surprisingly honest. They highlight the true spirit of partnership between two characters inhabiting the same body. In the first film, Venom and Eddie realize that their tumultuous relationship can be beneficial to them. The sequels, on the other hand, openly showed the homoerotic undertones of this partnership.
One fun example came when, after a “breakup,” Venom attends a rave party to announce that he is now “out of the closet, Eddie.” Even though this is portrayed as a joke, the strength of their unique bond is no secret. While Venom needs Eddie to survive, he has also pulled Eddie back from death—Venom: The Last Dance delves deeper into this relationship.
Tom Hardy’s deep commitment to the role makes this connection even stronger. From 2018, Eddie and Venom’s mix of childish banter and world-weariness makes them the perfect couple. The Last Dance brings an emotional twist to this relationship—will this be the last time we see them together?
Venom: The Last Dance: A superhero movie, but human at heart
The film’s villain, Knull (Andy Serkis), is in search of a mysterious “Codex” that only exists in the fusion of Eddie and Venom. That quest ultimately leads to the potential death of one of them. World-ending threats are nothing new in superhero movies, but the real shock of The Last Dance is something else—it shows its characters, who are on a road trip for most of the time, finally reaching the end of their journey.
The film has a rare sense of finality that’s not usually seen in franchise films, as they often get bogged down in future sequel plans. In contrast, even though the film has aliens and space talk, The Last Dance actually shows Venom’s innocence in wondering about Earth and its beauty—whether it’s his insistence on seeing the scenery even while on the run or his realization that he could have had a great life here.
In the film, the fugitives are given safe passage by a hippie, Martin Moon (Rhys Ifans). His true belief in aliens and Tom Hardy’s respect for him add to the emotional depth of the film. The Last Dance and its prequel Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021) are both stories written by Tom Hardy and screenwriter Kelly Marcel, which makes this film different and more personal than other superhero films.
Venom: Echoes of Pain, Sacrifice and Loss
In the film’s most tragic moments, the camera repeatedly returns to Venom’s emotional face. Even his rows of sharp teeth and pupilless eyes cannot diminish the depth of the broken heart that is revealed to the audience. This aspect makes the film’s fatal sacrifice all the more impressive.
Tom Hardy’s familiar raspy voice for Venom is one of the most unique and entertaining elements of the franchise. But when Eddie finally calls out to his partner—this time without expecting a response—the moment only intensifies his sense of deep loneliness. This is not just a superhero movie but also an emotional journey, making the audience feel the pain of connection and separation.
Eddie’s Last Journey: An Incomplete Story Without Venom
Eddie finally reaches the Statue of Liberty—to fulfill a longtime wish of Venom. It’s not just a journey, but the last chapter of their relationship. Interestingly, the monument symbolizes welcoming immigrants, and somewhere, it also reflects the truth of Venom being an outsider himself.
Then an emotional montage unfolds—filled with memories of their friendship. It’s so honest and deep that the audience starts expecting a joke or a lighter moment to lighten the feeling. After all, it’s common in today’s superhero cinema to quickly turn serious moments into jokes. For example, in Black Widow (2021), Yelena Belova is mourning at her sister’s grave, but a light-hearted comic beat breaks that emotional depth a few seconds later.
But The Last Dance is different. It gives every opportunity to feel the pain of its characters and the weight of their separation. Yes, it has the usual problems of superhero movies—a drawn-out plot, a weak CGI villain, and sometimes flat-looking visuals. But despite that, the film is steeped in emotional depth. And sometimes, even a small wave of genuine emotion is enough to touch hearts.
