Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) and Venom must make a devastating decision as they’re pursued by a mysterious military man.

When we first heard that Sony Pictures was developing a Venom movie back in 2016, we were very excited. This excitement only intensified when it was confirmed that the talented British actor Tom Hardy would be taking on the role of the ‘lethal protector’. 2018’s Venom began a new chapter in the Spider-Verse, allowing it to forge its own path. Fans quickly fell in love with the witty banter and the evolving bromance between Eddie Brock and the alien symbiote. With the Venom films delivering excellent scares and over-the-top action, along with showcasing their unique dynamic.

Across the two previous films, we’ve witnessed the relationship between Eddie Brock and Venom grow as they defined their own version of heroism. Venom’s monstrous appetite, combined with their hilarious exchanges, has led to some memorable character moments. Now, longtime producer Kelly Marcel steps up to conclude the Venom saga. This upcoming film promises plenty of intensity and a thrilling sci-fi monster invasion story, highlighting not only Tom Hardy’s performance but also his commitment to portraying Venom authentically.

Ever since his casting, Tom Hardy has professed his direct passion for the character of Venom, and this has been evident in his performances in 2018’s Venom and its sequel, Venom: Let There Be Carnage. Over these two films, Hardy has shown a considerable duel performance as both the ‘aww shucks’ Eddie Brock and the lizard lounge voiced alien symbiote Venom, and it’s made for a different take on the classic superhero genre. Both Brock and Venom have been through a lot together, and now they find themselves in the midst of a full-on alien invasion, sci-fi road movie, and it ups the ante for both characters. While Eddie and Venom have been one since the very start, it feels that in Venom: The Last Dance, we fully see Brock accept his role as the ‘lethal protector’ that he shares with Venom, and together, they have the chance to perform an action that could save the very universe itself.

The experience of watching Venom: The Last Dance makes you feel as if you’re watching a film that is all about highlighting the best parts of the Brock/Venom relationship, and the story encourages the fun nuisances that have developed throughout this narrative. The narrative truly goes from A to Z, and we get to see Venom at his best as he has one hell of a fun last ride alongside Brock. Director Kelly Marcel finds a great mix across drama, comedy and action set pieces of the picture while also finding new territory to explore with its heavy focus on a monster-led science fiction alien invasion narrative point. There’s a freshness to the story’s mechanics, and audiences who are looking for something different in the franchise will get it with this picture, not to mention that it has a standout cast of British actors leading the show with special applause needed to be delivered to both Chiwetel Ejiofor and Rhys Ifans.

Venom: The Last Dance also strikes a new cord with its action sequences, and Marcel and Hardy definitely don’t hold back in giving the audience the monster movie they’ve been craving with plenty of head-biting and body shredding. The action goes for the R-rating here, and we get a full-on symbiote/alien battle in the third act that will make audiences sit up and go WHOA! The action is intense and schlocky, and it feels like a full-on symbiote battle royale, and Hardy throws his love of motorcycles into the mix for good measure. Added to it is a good dose of comedy, courtesy of Venom and Brock, and the ‘Venom Horse’ has to be seen on the BIG SCREEN! Massive monster fights only amplify the action of Venom: The Last Dance, which coupled with plenty of wisecracks, leads to all kinds of blockbuster fun, and the final showdown between Venom and his maker’s minions is a poignant and definitive statement on the lethal protector.

Through passion and creativity, hi-jinks and action, and a genuine love for one of comic book’s coolest ever monsters turned antihero, Eddie Brock and Venom have succeeded on the big screen. This final chapter, Venom: The Last Dance, is a fun round-up for the character and is the perfect send-off for the lethal protector and his own brand of superheroics.

Image: Sony Pictures

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Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) attempts to restart his life over in San Francisco. But he soon finds himself targeted by a sadistic corporation who seek to control the alien symbiote that has bonded with him. With his back against the wall and nowhere to run, Brock will have to unleash his inner monster to survive. But can he control the darkness within him….or will it devour him forever.

When I heard Venom was going to be coming to the big screen I was amped. He’s far and away my favourite Marvel villain of all time and knowing that we’d be getting a chance to see him unleashed in his full glory was a very exciting prospect. What made it even more exciting was that he’d be getting his own film, absent of a certain friendly neighborhood web slinger and that meant we’d get something that would be dark, brooding and packed out with plenty of evil moments.

And that’s exactly what director Ruben Fleischer delivers on here. Taking his cues from the Planet of the Symbiotes and Lethal Protector story arcs, Fleischer and his team craft a film that focuses in on all the things that make this big bad a whole lot of fun and he really takes his audience for a ride. Fleischer digs into the lore surrounding the symbiotes and the result is a menacing sci-fi horror roller coaster ride that spins its audience around.

And let me be clear that there can be no Venom without the thespian masterclass that is Tom Hardy.

When I saw the sentence that read ‘Tom Hardy will be Venom’ I was sold. No matter what the project is Hardy always gives 110% and that’s exactly what we get here. While he’s known for his complicated performances, in Venom Hardy opens himself up to the darkness of this savage alien evil. Describing himself as a lifelong Venom fan, Hardy was always determined to do the character justice and in my opinion he really succeeds in the tone, style and substance of his performance.

His approach to this dual presentation as both the scandalous Eddie Brock and his evil alien alter ego is a real thrill to watch and his Jekyll/Hyde performance leads to plenty of twisted moments. While his Eddie is an essentially ‘aw shucks’ good guy, with a few too many flaws and sense to find the truth, he takes the opposite route as the charismatically dangerous symbiote.

I really enjoyed watching Hardy’s journey as the two characters and how their thoughts and actions continued to rub up against one another. While Eddie does indeed find himself in a dark place this desperately flawed man continues to try to do the right thing despite Venom all the while continuing to direct him to make plenty of bad choices. There’s a sick sense of glee to all of Venom’s demands and as the movie moves forward its fun to watch the two of them influence the others actions.

When Hardy does transform into Venom he truly unleashes the beast and that’s when the action gets savage. Thanks to Hardy’s superb performance and Fleischer’s direction, and plenty of visual effects magic, we get to see a primal beast unleash his monstrous nature as he claws his way through a host of bad guys, while also enjoying a few ‘snacks’ along the way. I was really impressed in how the filmmakers embraced Venom’s alien agility and flexibility of movement and you buy into how lethal this symbiote can be.

In addition to the carnage that the character unleashes up on screen, Hardy also gets to have some fun in a very thrilling motorcycle chase. As a born petrol head who has an affinity for a whole range of bikes it was cool to see Hardy get to put the pedal to the metal and the result is one badass chase scene that uses the unique setting of San Francisco to great effect….as well as Venom’s spectacular range of powers.

I also have to heap praise on Hardy’s co-stars Michelle Williams and Riz Ahmed. As Eddie Brock’s love interest Anne Weying, Williams portrays a character who is at odds with Hardy’s Eddie, but despite this you can still feel the chemistry between them and they make a great pair upon screen and she gets to experience the symbiote rush as well. And then there’s Riz Ahmed as Carlton Drake, a thoroughly twisted Elon Musk billionaire type who possesses a serious God-complex problem who takes your typical antagonist and elevates him to a higher level. This is thanks to the actors committed performance and an insane belief that his quest for a human/symbiote balance makes him all the more scary and a terrific nemesis for our villainous hero.

What I really dug about Venom was that it didn’t try to do what was expected and instead took risks and really made the effort to do something different.

You’re dealing with a character in Eddie Brock who is brought down pretty low and then finds himself bonded with a being of unimaginable power who has no time for any kind of moral integrity. Doesn’t that sound like the perfect setting for some out and out villainous fun. I definitely think so. Not to mention it’s a damn fun ride that puts the emphasis on the beat-em up fun and and a creature who has one serious appetite.

And while I have to remain quiet due to spoilers I will say that you’ll be dying for a sequel with the final shock that this film delivers.

Tom Hardy said he’d bring Venom to life and he certainly lived up to his word. This is a dark, dangerous action packed sci-fi/horror/supervillain extravaganza and Venom offers up a thoroughly great time at the movies. If you’re looking for a reason why villains get to have all the fun then you need to make an appointment to see Venom ASAP.

Image: Sony Pictures

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Here’s the official synopsis:

Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) attempts to restart his life over in San Francisco. But he soon finds himself targeted by a sadistic corporation who seek to control the alien symbiote that has bonded with him. With his back against the wall and nowhere to run, Brock will have to unleash his inner monster to survive. But can he control the darkness within him….or will it devour him forever.

This new trailer for Venom absolutely blew me away with how incredibly awesome it is! Director Ruben Fleischer and mega star Tom Hardy are ready to take audiences to a whole new level with his new action film that is taking the hero out of the superhero genre and is instead leaving us with a story of the villain. And it looks glorious.

Following on from both the first look images, teaser and trailer, this new trailer takes audiences deeper inside the twisted world of the Life Foundation and its quest to bond human and symbiote, while also looking closer at the twisted duality of Eddie Brock/Venom as the man is forced to accept the monster and the extreme freedom and consequences that come with this kind of power.

Hardy gives an incredible duel performance here as both Brock and Venom and you can see him engaged in a range of emotions as he undergoes his transformation. While its evident that his human morality and basic sense of right and wrong comes into play here, Venom itself revels in all the bad that it can accomplish and likes the idea of taking Brock closer to its own edge.

Fans will also be excited by the prospect of seeing more than one symbiote and it’s sure to be a battle. The film has some incredibly ambitious action scenes that will really knock you back in your seat and the CGI looks to have truly brought Venom to life!

Get ready for one hell of a scary thrill ride when Venom arrives in cinemas on October 4 and remember…there’s no heroes this time.

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