As a huge fan of the superhero genre, I’m excited to delve into the world of Sony’s upcoming film, Venom: The Last Dance, set to hit theaters on October 25, 2024. This highly anticipated installment continues the story of Eddie Brock, portrayed by Tom Hardy, and his relationship with the alien symbiote, Venom. The film promises to explore the deep roots of the symbiote mythos and its multiverse connections, particularly with the introduction of Knull, the god of the symbiotes.
To fully appreciate Venom: The Last Dance, it’s crucial to understand the films that precede it, as they lay the groundwork for the narrative. Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU) consists of films centered on characters tied to Spider-Man, albeit primarily outside the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) timeline. The franchise kicked off with Venom (2018), followed by Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021). Each of these movies plays a pivotal role in the overarching storyline and character development, particularly concerning Eddie Brock’s journey.
Essential Movies to Watch Before Venom: The Last Dance
1. Venom (2018)
The first film in the franchise, Venom, is crucial for understanding Eddie Brock’s character. This movie introduces him as a struggling journalist who becomes bonded with Venom, transforming into an anti-hero rather than a villain, which diverges from the comic portrayal.
This initial bonding sets up the dynamic between Eddie and Venom, evolving from mutual distrust to a unique partnership. Additionally, the film introduces the concept of symbiotes and hints at a larger universe with the Life Foundation, paving the way for future exploration of the symbiote lore. As Knull takes center stage in the new film, grasping the rules and biology of the symbiotes presented in Venom will be critical.
2. Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)
Venom: Let There Be Carnage expands on the relationship between Eddie and Venom, showcasing their deepening bond in a light-hearted, almost romantic comedy style. However, the stakes are raised with the introduction of Cletus Kasady (Woody Harrelson), who becomes the host for the dangerous symbiote, Carnage.
A significant moment comes in the mid-credits scene, where Venom reveals that symbiotes possess collective knowledge spanning across multiple universes. This revelation hints at a multiverse connection that is essential for understanding how Venom interacts with other universes and characters, especially as Venom: The Last Dance introduces Knull.
3. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Spider-Man: No Way Home is vital for understanding the multiverse’s implications within the MCU. This film not only brings together multiple Spider-Men from different universes but also confirms that Eddie Brock briefly enters the MCU.
A post-credits scene shows Eddie in a bar, trying to grasp the superhero world before being sent back to his universe, leaving a piece of Venom behind. This fragment of the symbiote is significant because it opens the door for potential crossover events in Venom: The Last Dance, particularly regarding how the multiverse operates and Knull’s influence on these connections.
4. Spider-Man 3 (2007)
Although it predates the SSU and MCU, Spider-Man 3 marks Venom’s cinematic debut and introduces the concept of a symbiote bonding with a human in the live-action Marvel universe. The portrayal of Venom in this film, played by Topher Grace, as a more villainous character, provides a contrasting perspective to Hardy’s anti-hero interpretation.
With the established hive mind concept in previous films, Spider-Man 3 retroactively ties into the larger symbiote mythos. Understanding this version of Venom will provide context for how various portrayals of the character may be integrated into the multiverse storyline of Venom: The Last Dance.
The Future of Venom and the Symbiote Lore
As we prepare for the release of Venom: The Last Dance, it’s exciting to consider how these interconnected narratives will unfold. The film is expected to delve deeper into the lore of symbiotes and their creator, Knull. Given the established connections across the multiverse, we may even see references to previous incarnations of Venom, enriching the storyline and character dynamics.
For anyone wanting to immerse themselves in the world of Venom, I highly recommend watching these films. They provide essential context and deepen the understanding of the characters and their journeys. You can find more insights and updates on Venom: The Last Dance on ScreenRant and Collider.
As a fan, I can’t wait to see how the story unfolds in this next chapter of the symbiote saga!