Why Venom: The Last Dance Should Conclude Knull’s Storyline

Editor’s Note: This article contains major plot details from Venom: The Last Dance.

Essential Insights

Knull should remain confined following the unimpressive reception of Venom 3 and its convoluted narrative.
The film garnered a poor Rotten Tomatoes rating and faced the lowest opening weekend of the trilogy.
Diminished interest in Sony’s superhero films suggests that it may be prudent to set aside Knull for now.

With Venom: The Last Dance now screening, Marvel enthusiasts have an opportunity to grasp the overarching intention behind the Eddie Brock trilogy. Describing the film as disjointed would be an understatement. The decision to introduce a villain on par with Thanos in the series’ final chapter, only to grant him approximately five minutes of screen time, feels particularly misguided.

The oddity of this approach is magnified by ongoing speculation that Venom: The Last Dance might not mark the last appearance of Knull, also known as The King In Black. Hints have emerged suggesting he may make appearances across various franchises, potentially even crossing over into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). However, based on the lackluster performance of Venom 3, both critically and at the box office, it may be wise for Sony to shelve this character and rethink their Marvel strategy.

Shelve Knull and Move Forward

Knull’s role in Venom 3 was significant yet largely remote, as he found himself imprisoned on a planet controlled by the symbiotes he formerly commanded. As he orchestrated an escape through an army of Xenophages seeking a key known as a Codex—integral to Venom’s DNA, as revealed after Eddie Brock’s resurrection in Venom: Let There Be Carnage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyIyd9joTTc

VENOM: THE LAST DANCE – Final Trailer (HD) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyIyd9joTTc)

In the climax of the film, a swarm of Xenophages attempts to capture Venom to obtain the Codex, but with the help of human allies and a legion of symbiotes, they manage to neutralize these seemingly invulnerable adversaries, leaving Knull isolated on his prison world. Furthermore, with Venom’s apparent demise, it is presumed the Codex has been lost.

Cast	Tom Hardy, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple, Rhys Ifans, Stephen Graham, Peggy Lu, Clark Backo, Alanna Ubach
Directed By	Kelly Marcel
Release Date	October 24, 2024

This leads to a puzzling post-credits scene where Knull appears not angry but rather motivated, vowing to return. This raises questions about how Sony could potentially write him out of his current situation; however, it might be best for them to let him remain confined.

The film’s performance speaks volumes about its reception; with a mere Rotten Tomatoes score of just 36%, it’s hard to argue against its negative impact.

The disappointing opening weekend statistics, which represent the worst launch day in the series, further emphasize the movie’s downfall. While audiences who did attend the screening provided some positive feedback, the overall financial results demonstrate a significant lack of interest in the broader Sonyverse films.

Conclude Venom 3 and Leave Knull Behind

Knull’s future in this universe appears bleak, especially considering the steady decline in quality of the Sonyverse films. The hastily assembled narrative in this trilogy’s conclusion felt unfocused and rushed, leading viewers to conclude whether Knull’s potential liberation was worthwhile. Many character arcs were introduced but bore little significance, leaving audiences puzzled by unnecessary details.

Character developments felt forced, and moments such as a scientist wearing a Christmas pin served no purpose beyond generating confusion and a running joke about her nickname “Christmas.”

Other pointless subplots included a clueless dance scene in Las Vegas and a character whose brother met an unfortunate end via lightning—elements that did not add to the movie’s quality. Ultimately, these plotlines are distractions in a movie that failed to engage, despite its brevity. It’s time for Sony to cut ties with this iteration before the imminent release of Kraven The Hunter in December seals the fate of these films, allowing Knull to fade into forgotten realms.

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