---
title: "Venom: The Last Dance"
year: 2024
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/venom-the-last-dance"
fi1m_id: "venom-the-last-dance"
imdb_id: "tt16366836"
tmdb_id: 912649
wikidata_id: "Q113371337"
fi1m_score: 48
critics_score: 51
critics_reviews: 15
published: "2026-09-09"
updated: "2026-09-18T08:37:58.468715+00:00"
region: "US"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Venom: The Last Dance (2024)

Directed by Kelly Marcel · 1h 49m · MPA PG-13 · Science Fiction, Action, Adventure

## Identity

Venom: The Last Dance

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/venom-the-last-dance
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** venom-the-last-dance
- **IMDb ID:** tt16366836
- **TMDB ID:** 912649
- **Wikidata ID:** Q113371337
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16366836/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/912649, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113371337

**Fi1m score: 48** · Critics 51 from 15 reviews

*In a sentence:* Man and monster finally get their road trip, and the film keeps pulling over to explain the plot

> Tom Hardy still makes two people out of one and their bickering is still the best thing in the series. Kelly Marcel, directing for the first time, keeps interrupting it for soldiers, scientists and an alien plot nobody on screen seems to believe in.

## Synopsis

Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) is a journalist sharing his body with Venom, an alien symbiote who talks back, and the pair are on the run. A military unit under Strickland (Chiwetel Ejiofor) wants the creature caught, a scientist, Dr. Teddy Paine (Juno Temple), wants it kept alive and studied, and something a great deal older and further away wants it for reasons of its own. On the road Eddie and Venom fall in with Martin (Rhys Ifans), a believer in aliens travelling with his wife Nova (Alanna Ubach) and their children, while Detective Mulligan (Stephen Graham) and Mrs. Chen (Peggy Lu) are caught up in it. Kelly Marcel writes and directs the third and, so the tagline says, final film in the series.

## Review

*Venom: The Last Dance* is the third film about Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) and the black alien goo that lives in him and talks back, and the tagline says it is the last. Kelly Marcel wrote the first two and directs this one, her first time in the chair, from a story she worked out with Hardy. The idea is sound: put the pair on the road, give them something to run from, and let them argue about it for 109 minutes. About a third of the film does that. The rest is soldiers, scientists and an alien plot about a codex, and the proportions are the wrong way round.

Hardy is still the reason to be here. He plays Eddie as a man who gave up on dignity two films ago and Venom as a hungry toddler with a baritone, and he does both in the same shot, arguing with his own shoulder in a way that has become, over three films, a real double act. Marcel’s script gives them a decent argument to have: Venom wants to see the world and Eddie wants to lie down. When it is just the two of them, in a car or at a bar with Cristo Fernández’s patient barman, the film is a comedy and a fairly good one.

We laughed, against our better judgement, when Venom danced to ABBA. It is a stupid scene and it is timed well, and for about a minute the film is exactly what it should have been throughout: a silly comedy about a man who cannot get five minutes’ peace. Peggy Lu, back as Mrs. Chen, is part of the reason it lands. Then the scene ends and the plot walks back in.

Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Strickland, a soldier who wants the creature caught, and Juno Temple plays Dr. Teddy Paine, a scientist who wants it kept alive and studied. Between them they are given most of the film’s dialogue and almost none of its jokes. Ejiofor frowns, Temple explains, and neither gives a bad performance; the trouble is that their scenes exist to tell us what the codex is and why something out in space wants it. By the third telling we were bored, and then annoyed at being bored, because a film that finds time to state its rules three times could have given ten of those minutes to the two characters it is named after. Stephen Graham’s Detective Mulligan is in there too, and the film never seems sure why.

Rhys Ifans plays Martin, a cheerful believer in aliens taking his family on the road, with Alanna Ubach as his wife Nova and Hala Finley and Dash McCloud as the children. This is meant to be the film’s heart. Ifans is likeable and the scenes go nowhere; they are a rest stop the film mistakes for a destination. The fights are the other problem. Whenever symbiotes meet, the screen fills with black and grey CG that has no weight and no edges, and Mark Sanger, who cuts the chases cleanly enough that we always knew where the car was, cannot find anything to hold on to. Fabian Wagner shoots the road in flat wide daylight and the laboratory in the blue-grey every film laboratory has had for thirty years. Dan Deacon’s score is busy and mostly buried under the sound of things going through walls.

Against the series’s own standard this is the tidiest of the three and the least alive. The second film was a mess that knew what it was for. This one is neater and keeps stopping to explain itself, as if embarrassed to be a film about a man and his parasite when that is the only thing it does well. Chris Lowe and Sean Haworth’s production design is functional, and Daniel Orlandi keeps Hardy in the same tired clothes for most of the film, which is right.

Most critics have landed about where we have, split between those charmed by Hardy and those worn out by everything around him, and both are correct. See it if you have seen the other two and would like to know how it ends; the 15 certificate is for goo and gore rather than anything that will keep you up. At home it is a passable evening with a remote in your hand, and the remote will get more use than the film would like.

*Fi1m score 48, published 9 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

The reviews are split, and widely. Almost every critic, admiring or not, gives credit to Tom Hardy for playing both Eddie Brock and the alien in his head, and most find something to like in the pair’s bickering. Beyond that, agreement thins. The warmer notices, Slant Magazine and IndieWire among them, treat the film as a scrappy buddy comedy with a real friendship at its centre and enjoy the monster designs and chase sequences.

The cooler ones, slightly more numerous, describe a plot about a codex and an intergalactic overlord that never coheres, jokes that miss more than they land, a tone that lurches between sincerity and silliness, and a finale that collapses into digital blobs hitting each other. The British broadsheets are harshest: The Guardian calls it a sloppy let-down, The Telegraph a moronic conclusion, and The Times finds it dispiriting to watch Hardy so reduced. Several critics from both camps note that the series is ending at about the right time.

## Straight answers

**Is Venom: The Last Dance worth watching?**

*Venom: The Last Dance* is worth watching only if you have seen the first two films and want to know how the series ends, and we scored it 48. Tom Hardy's double act with the alien in his shoulder is still funny, but the film keeps interrupting it for soldiers, scientists and a codex plot that nobody on screen seems to care about.

**How long is Venom: The Last Dance, and what is it rated?**

*Venom: The Last Dance* runs 1h 49m and is rated PG-13 by the MPA in the US. It is a science fiction and action film.

**Where can I watch Venom: The Last Dance in the US?**

*Venom: The Last Dance* is streaming on Disney+ in the US, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video from $3.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is Venom: The Last Dance, and is it suitable for children?**

*Venom: The Last Dance* carries a UK 15 certificate, and that is for black goo and gore rather than anything that will frighten anyone for long. The symbiote fights are weightless computer-generated brawls, more noisy than nasty, so it suits teenagers and the mildly squeamish well enough, but it is not a film for younger children.

**How does Venom: The Last Dance compare to Thelma & Louise?**

*Venom: The Last Dance* and [*Thelma & Louise*](https://film.one/film/thelma-and-louise) are both road films about two people on the run with only each other, but Ridley Scott's film is the far better one. It is funny, angry and moving, with a friendship you believe in throughout; the Venom film has the friendship too, in Tom Hardy's bickering with himself, then buries it under a plot it keeps stopping to explain.

**What should I watch after Venom: The Last Dance?**

After *Venom: The Last Dance*, try [*Thelma & Louise*](https://film.one/film/thelma-and-louise) (1991, Fi1m 85): Two people on the run who only have each other, and a road that runs out. Then [*Starship Troopers*](https://film.one/film/starship-troopers) (1997, Fi1m 79): Alien gore played straight-faced and very loud, with a brain behind it; and [*Venom*](https://film.one/film/venom) (2018, Fi1m 51): Where the double act started, before anyone had a plan for it.

### Reviews we read (21)

- **Los Angeles Times**, Katie Walsh (70/100, inferred): The review appreciates the unique tone and Hardy's chemistry with himself as Eddie and Venom, calling it a fitting sendoff despite being shaggy and silly. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2024-10-24/venom-the-last-dance-review-tom-hardy-marvel-sony)
- **Screen Daily** (70/100, inferred): The critic praises the goofy humour and big heart, noting the dopey charm of the odd-couple rapport makes up for a slapdash script, though the trilogy is probably ending at the right time. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/venom-the-last-dance-review/5198431.article)
- **The New York Times**, Amy Nicholson (60/100, inferred): The critic finds the film overly plotted but praises Tom Hardy's one-man-band performance as Eddie and Venom, noting the mild pleasures are overwhelmed by underdeveloped characters and plot elements. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/24/movies/venom-the-last-dance-review.html)
- **The AV Club**, Jesse Hassenger (C): The critic finds the film a hit-and-miss sloppy spin that confirms the Venom movies are like this on purpose, with Hardy’s elastic performance carrying much of the quirky buddy energy amid rushed plotting and tonal shifts. It singles out the yearning for better human connections and the fun but curtailed action for mixed notes. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/venom-the-last-dance-review)
- **The i Paper**, Christina Newland (45/100, inferred): The third Venom film is tonally inconsistent and fails to settle on a single mood, with unfunny jokes and a dull subplot involving a hippie family. It is not good but provides some coherent and entertaining chase sequences amid the overstimulation. [Read](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/venom-the-last-dance-review-not-unpleasant-lobotomy-3338505)
- **Empire**, Olly Richards (40/100, inferred): The film nervously sticks to formula instead of embracing weirdness, resulting in lame comedy and an under-explored emotional core about the Brock/Venom relationship. It wraps up the series as a disappointing globby mess that never fulfilled its potential. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/venom-the-last-dance/)
- **Radio Times**, Patrick Cremona (2/5): The critic finds it another lacklustre, poorly written adventure that offers more of the same tired buddy-comedy and generic sci-fi elements, with the central relationship having become tired. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/scifi/venom-the-last-dance-review/)
- **Time Out**, Ian Freer (30/100, inferred): The critic calls it an unsatisfying franchise finisher where the banter lacks wit, the plotting is episodic and nonsensical, and it devolves into CG fights; much talent is wasted. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/venom-the-last-dance-review-2024)
- **Vulture** (30/100, inferred): The critic argues the film is bad on purpose as well as accidentally, a smirk of a road-trip movie that gestures at regret and mortality but undercuts sincerity with silly digressions and unresolved future-plot hooks. It singles out Hardy’s hangdog performance and the gooey buddy comedy for limited credit amid the cynicism. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/article/review-venom-the-last-dance-is-bad-on-purpose.html)
- **IndieWire**, David Ehrlich: The review calls it the greatest love story in superhero movies but notes it ends on an entertainingly generic note, with Hardy having the time of his life as the bedraggled journalist paired with his gooey best friend. It singles out the central odd-couple relationship for praise while criticizing how Marvel-ized the film feels. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/venom-the-last-dance-review-1235059391/)
- **Slant Magazine**, Jake Cole: The review praises it as a spirited monster mash that streamlines the series’ darkly humorous approach into an intimate yet maximalist chase blending Thelma & Louise-style bonding with Starship Troopers gore. It singles out Hardy’s unglamorous, sentimental take on the deep friendship and the distinctive supporting turns and monster designs for praise. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/venom-the-last-dance-review-tom-hardy/)
- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw: Tom Hardy’s jaded Eddie Brock is a highlight as the split-personality buddy movie wraps up the series, but Kelly Marcel’s film is a sloppy, incoherent let-down with an existential and alien invasion plot that fails to cohere. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/oct/27/venom-the-last-dance-review-tom-hardys-jaded-antihero-carries-messy-marvel-finale)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, David Rooney: The critic sees it as more of the same in the trilogy, a diverting interspecies buddy movie for fans that leans into the cuddly, playful dynamic between Eddie and Venom with witty banter and shape-shifting antics. It singles out the charming rapport and fun action set pieces for praise while noting messier direction in the big fights. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/venom-the-last-dance-review-tom-hardy-marvel-1236042242/)
- **The Telegraph**, Robbie Collin: The film is a suitably moronic conclusion to the trilogy and an old-school eyesore that is at least differently terrible from other recent Marvel entries. [Read](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/venom-the-last-dance-review-tom-hardy/)
- **The Times**, Kevin Maher: It is dispiriting to see Tom Hardy reduced to a blank-eyed meathead in this awful third instalment, directed in her debut by Kelly Marcel with CGI blobs and an incoherent plot about a codex and intergalactic overlord. [Read](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/venom-the-last-dance-film-review-tom-hardy-hwz6sqczs)
- **HeyUGuys**, Linda Marric (4/5): The critic finds it a highly entertaining conclusion to the Venom trilogy that blends thrills, humour and emotion. It leans into the series' wild, chaotic energy without reinventing the genre but delivers as a crowd-pleaser. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/venom-the-last-dance-review/)
- **NME**, Lou Thomas (70/100, inferred): The critic finds the film fun and enjoyable despite nonsensical plotting, praising Tom Hardy's charismatic performance and the light-hearted, self-aware tone. [Read](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/venom-the-last-dance-review-tom-hardy-3806250)
- **Collider**, Aidan Kelley (60/100, inferred): The critic finds Venom: The Last Dance the best entry in the trilogy thanks to stronger comedy, emotional beats, and the strongest action sequences yet, but still hampered by uneven storytelling. The military subplot and underdeveloped side characters receive the most criticism for dragging down the fun. [Read](https://collider.com/venom-the-last-dance-review/)
- **Deadline**, Damon Wise (50/100, inferred): The critic views it as a middling entry in the Venom series that struggles to justify its existence despite a strong cast and first-time director Kelly Marcel's focused, comprehensible action sequences. Silly moments like Venom disco-dancing to ABBA undermine any sense of threat. [Read](https://deadline.com/2024/10/venom-the-last-dance-review-tom-hardy-1236156179/)
- **/Film**, Chris Evangelista (4/10): The critic calls it a rushed, clumsy and lackluster finale that jettisons much of what made the prior entry fun. Tom Hardy remains a bright spot but the film overall feels unfinished and disappointing. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/1695477/venom-the-last-dance-tom-hardy-marvel-movie-review/)
- **The Wrap** (25/100, inferred): The critic finds the film abandons the weird, entertaining elements of prior entries in favor of tedious plot and exposition, resulting in a meandering and disappointing conclusion to the series with only a few charming odd moments. It feels like a lackluster way to say goodbye. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/venom-the-last-dance-review-tom-hardy/)

## Details

- **Director:** Kelly Marcel
- **Director:** Kelly Marcel
- **Screenplay:** Kelly Marcel
- **Story:** Kelly Marcel, Tom Hardy
- **Cinematography:** Fabian Wagner
- **Editor:** Mark Sanger
- **Music:** Dan Deacon
- **Production design:** Sean Haworth, Chris Lowe
- **Costume design:** Daniel Orlandi
- **Producer:** Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach, Kelly Marcel
- **Cast:** Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock / Venom; Chiwetel Ejiofor as Strickland; Juno Temple as Dr. Teddy Paine; Rhys Ifans as Martin; Stephen Graham as Detective Mulligan; Peggy Lu as Mrs. Chen; Clark Backo as Sadie; Alanna Ubach as Nova
- **Runtime:** 1h 49m
- **Certificate (MPA):** PG-13
- **Release (the US):** 25 October 2024
- **Genres:** Science Fiction, Action, Adventure
- **Budget:** $120 million
- **Box office:** $479 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKBN1qAzW3s

## Where to watch in the US

- Disney+: streaming, uhd
- Amazon Prime Video: rent $3.99, uhd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy $14.99, uhd

*Checked 2026-09-10.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, AZ, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IN, IS, IT, JP, MX, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, TR, UA, US. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *Upgrade* (2018): A man and the voice in his body, done cheaply, quickly and with real menace.
- *All of Me* (1984): Steve Martin shares his body with Lily Tomlin; the argument is the whole film.
- *Thelma & Louise* (1991), Fi1m 85: Two people on the run who only have each other, and a road that runs out. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/thelma-and-louise.md)
- *Starship Troopers* (1997), Fi1m 79: Alien gore played straight-faced and very loud, with a brain behind it. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/starship-troopers.md)
- *Venom* (2018), Fi1m 51: Where the double act started, before anyone had a plan for it. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/venom.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/venom-the-last-dance