Venom's Final Curtain Call: A Bittersweet Farewell to a Beloved Antihero

In the world of comic book adaptations, the "Venom" franchise has always been a bit of an outlier. Starring the ever-versatile Tom Hardy as both the journalist Eddie Brock and his alien symbiote counterpart, the films have never quite managed to capture the singular vision or narrative stability that has made other superhero sagas so successful. Yet, in their own quirky way, the "Venom" movies have carved out a unique niche, offering audiences a delightfully deranged take on the fan-favorite Spider-Man antihero.

Bidding Farewell to a Symbiotic Duo

The Symbiotic Saga Comes to a Close

As the curtain falls on the "Venom" trilogy, director Kelly Marcel's "Venom: The Last Dance" (★★ out of four; rated PG-13; in theaters Friday) aims to wrap up the flirtation between Eddie Brock and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Forced to go on the run after being accused of a murder they didn't commit, the bosom buddies find themselves hunted not only by the authorities but also by a sinister cosmic entity known as Knull, the villainous creator of the symbiotes.

A Chaotic Road Trip Filled with Surprises

The duo's journey takes them on a wild ride, with stops in Las Vegas and a visit to the fictional government facility at Area 51, where symbiotes are being housed. Along the way, they encounter a random family in a mini-bus, adding an unexpected element of chaos to their already tumultuous adventure. While the CGI-heavy brawls between the colorful symbiotes and unoriginal intergalactic creatures may not be the highlight, the film does manage to capture the oddball charm that has become a hallmark of the "Venom" franchise.

The Delightful Duality of Hardy's Performance

At the heart of the "Venom" films has always been the dynamic between Hardy's Eddie Brock and the gravelly, garbling Venom. The human host is the harried straight man, often serving as the voice of reason, while the symbiote's over-the-top id indulges in zinger-slinging, head-eating, and general mischief. It's a delightfully deranged dual performance that doesn't always get the recognition it deserves in the broader comic book movie canon.

Striking a Balance Between Weirdness and Sentimentality

While the "Venom" films have traditionally thrived on their weirdness and lack of restraint, "The Last Dance" seems to strike a more sentimental tone, with forced buddy-moment montages that may not sit well with fans who come to these movies for the unapologetic chaos. However, the film does manage to maintain a sense of playfulness, with Venom's ABBA-fueled dance moves providing a memorable and goofy highlight.

A Franchise Struggling to Find Its Footing

Despite the best efforts of Hardy and the filmmakers, the "Venom" franchise has never quite managed to reach the heights of other comic book adaptations. Compared to the likes of "Deadpool" and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the "Venom" films have often felt like a substandard offering, with a lack of narrative stability and a sense of creative vision. While "The Last Dance" may be a step up from the disastrous "Morbius," it still falls short of the mark, leaving fans to wonder if this truly is the final curtain call for this symbiotic duo.

A Bittersweet Farewell to a Beloved Antihero

As the "Venom" trilogy comes to a close, it's hard not to feel a sense of both nostalgia and disappointment. Tom Hardy's committed performance has been the driving force behind the franchise, and the idea of a Venom-ized horse as the character's potential final ride into the sunset is a goofy reminder of the untapped potential that the "Venom" films have never quite been able to realize. While the franchise may not have reached the heights of its superhero peers, it has carved out a unique place in the comic book movie landscape, offering audiences a delightfully deranged take on a beloved antihero. As the curtain falls on this symbiotic saga, fans can only hope that if this truly is the end, Hardy and Venom will find a more fitting and fulfilling conclusion in a future project.