‘Venom: The Last Dance’ Gives Tom Hardy One Final Absurdist Ride With His Alien Buddy

Alci Rengifo

The “Venom” franchise has remained solid because it never pretends to aspire to be anything beyond what it is. Despite the ongoing fatigue with comic book IP, this one retains a scruffy charm that continues to offend the high-browed, yet works as an oddball popcorn escape. Since the 2018 original, what this franchise is at heart is a buddy comedy. “Venom: The Last Dance” is presumably the final outing of Tom Hardy as the host of a trash-talking alien “symbiote.” Never say never with these movies, but this one delivers for its fanbase. It is rowdy and sprinkled with a bit more heart.

Picking up from the events of “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” downtrodden journalist Eddie Brock (Hardy) is still on the run with Venom firmly attached and dispensing observations, suggestions and craving human brains. They have been lounging around Mexico, at times chomping on local thugs preying on the innocent as The Lethal Protector. Tired of living in the shadows, Eddie decides to travel to New York City to blackmail a judge from his past to get his name cleared. It’s never so simple. A military search squad led by Rex Strickland (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is hunting for Venom to bring the symbiote back to Area 51 (yes, that one). Meanwhile, Knull (Andy Serkis), an entrapped adversary from Venom’s home planet, has sent snarling alien trackers through portals to also grab him due to a vital codex he carries within. 

As a fitting culmination for this story, “The Last Dance” then becomes a road trip. Director Kelly Marcel, who was a writer on the last two Venom movies, approaches the material with a genuine affection for it. The usual comic book tropes are included, but at 1 hour and 49 minutes, the movie isn’t rushing to get too grandiose. It barely nods at the other Marvel entries. While fans have been clamoring for an eventual appearance by the gooey alien in the “Spider-Man” movies, considering he is one of the webslinger’s most famous villains, this film doesn’t seem to care. It can be enjoyed on its own. “Venom” as a franchise works as a comic book cousin of “Lethal Weapon” or any other popular series featuring an entertaining, mismatched duo.

The villain isn’t much of the central focus. We’re more invested in the feeling that Eddie and Venom’s bond might soon be nearing an end. They hop into a van belonging to a quirky family led by a dad (Rhys Ifans) eager to see any real aliens at Area 51. Marcel finds charming, even dark humor in these moments. Then, during an out of tune sing along to David Bowie’s “Space Oddity,” Venom reflects that Eddie might have been happy with a family. His human buddy can only quietly agree. For his part, Venom is eager to see the Statue of Liberty when they get to New York. He is an immigrant, after all. More easy but hilarious gags follow in Las Vegas, including a heartfelt reunion with Mrs. Chen (Peggy Lu), antics at a slot machine and an irresistible dance sequence to ABBA’s “Dancing Queen.” Yes, the planet is in peril, but “The Last Dance” knows when to take a break so Venom can sloppily make cocktails or encourage Eddie to have some courage. One of the great curiosities of this franchise is how it has been the perfect showcase for Tom Hardy’s comedic range. He channeled Marlon Brando so well earlier this year in “The Bikeriders,” and it’s easy to forget there’s a genuine, funny soul beneath the bulky exterior.

“The Last Dance” still has to hit a few Marvel/Sony checkmarks, cramming the story with storylines involving more symbiotes being kept at Area 51 (with great color variety). The lab is overlooked by a scientist, Dr. Payne (Juno Temple), who is haunted by the death of her brother via lightning strike. She is genuinely fascinated by the symbiotes, clashing with Strickland, who just wants to eradicate them. Eventually, this all connects with the new invaders chasing after Venom in well-done action scenes through canyons and close calls involving raging rivers. There’s a Marvel tradition where everything must culminate with a massive, CGI-heavy showdown. Marcel goes against the grain slightly, keeping the big climax measured, the way funny action films used to do it. Doubters may scoff to hear the movie even becomes touching when Venom and Eddie face a moment of truth to stop the big, cosmic threat.

How does one rate a “good” movie when it comes to a franchise like this one? Of course it recycles familiar tropes. Easter eggs are left strewn around hinting that the story is most definitely not over. Most of the plot is absolutely absurd. Yet, it’s written with genuine charm that helps us overlook the story elements that feel half-baked. Venom and Eddie have a bond that feels quite engaging, some will say even romantic. Buddy comedies work when the chemistry is real and Hardy has pulled off the difficult feat of convincing us of his link to a CGI creation for three movies now. “Venom” movies feel like the misfit at the big studio offices, left to their own devices while letting everyone else worry about the tentpoles involving Peter Parker and multiverses. There is nothing wrong with that. We need some unabashed silliness at the movies.

“Venom: The Last Dance” releases Oct. 25 in theaters nationwide.