Venom 3 Debuts to Mixed Reviews
After the release of Joker 2, Venom: The Last Dance steps into the Indian box office spotlight. Tom Hardy’s final installment in the Venom trilogy, directed by Kelly Marcel, was launched on October 24, 2024. The film has garnered mixed reviews, with fans eager to see if it could redeem the franchise after the disappointing performance of Venom: Let There Be Carnage in 2021. The opening has shown potential, yet it faces challenges in maintaining momentum.
Venom 3’s Opening Day Collection in India
Despite being a weekday, Venom: The Last Dance managed to earn 5.50 crores on its first day, outperforming its predecessor’s opening day. Although it didn’t make an explosive debut, the collection reflects a strong following among fans. With the weekend approaching, the film’s evening shows are expected to attract larger audiences, which could help it secure a solid Friday performance.
Venom Outperforms Its Prequels
Surpassing the first two films, Venom: The Last Dance marks the trilogy’s best opening in India. Here’s how the films performed on their respective opening days:
- Venom (2018): 4.09 crores
- Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021): 3.71 crores
- Venom: The Last Dance (2024): 5.50 crores
This positive start surpasses Joker 2, which earned 5.10 crores on its debut in India, suggesting the fanbase’s loyalty toward Tom Hardy’s character. As expected, the franchise’s humorous, dark take on the anti-hero draws audiences, even when reviews aren’t favorable.
Mixed Reviews and Audience Reactions
The supporting cast of Venom: The Last Dance includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple, Rhys Ifans, Stephen Graham, Peggy Lu, Clark Backo, and Alanna Ubach, all of whom add depth to the film. While fans have praised Hardy’s portrayal, critics have pointed out weaknesses in the screenplay, leading to a lukewarm critical reception. Despite this, the film has garnered strong audience scores, as has been typical of the Venom trilogy.
Future Prospects: Will Sony’s Spider-Man Universe Expand?
Sony has faced challenges with its Spider-Man-less Spider-Man universe. Despite fan speculation about crossovers with the MCU, the standalone structure remains uncertain. With Tom Hardy declaring this as his last appearance as Venom, Sony might explore other symbiote characters, particularly the villain Knull, played by Andy Serkis. Rumors also suggest a potential crossover with MCU’s Spider-Man or even a return of Andrew Garfield.
Conclusion: What Lies Ahead for the Franchise?
Venom: The Last Dance marks a promising conclusion to the trilogy in India, appealing to loyal fans and achieving a moderate box office start. With talks of future characters and potential crossovers, Sony’s Spider-Man universe might see more experiments. While divisive among critics, the Venom series continues to entertain fans, solidifying its place as a unique take on the comic book anti-hero narrative.
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