June 1, 2025

Venom 4: King in Black (2025) – Movie Review

When shadows fall and gods of darkness rise, Venom 4: King in Black storms the screen as a titanic collision of chaos, power, and moral reckoning. This isn’t just another anti-hero sequel — it’s a cosmic war between light and void, fear and resistance, where the fate of Earth hangs by a tendril of symbiotic will. With Dwayne Johnson stepping into the franchise as Knull — the primordial god of the symbiotes — this fourth installment elevates the Venom saga to operatic proportions.

From the first pulse of the trailer, it was clear: this is Venom on a whole new level.

Plot Summary

Following the events of Venom: The Last Hunt, Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) has learned to balance his life with Venom — barely. But peace is short-lived. A cataclysmic rift in space-time unleashes Knull, the God of the Abyss, who once created the symbiote race to extinguish the light of existence. Now free, Knull descends upon Earth, bringing with him a legion of dark symbiotes known as the Necrospawn, blanketing cities in living shadows.

As chaos unfolds, Eddie finds himself outmatched and overwhelmed. In a desperate alliance, he seeks help from both familiar faces and new ones — including a powerful symbiote host named Nyx (played by Ana de Armas), who harbors a secret that could either save the world or doom it.

The battle is not just physical. As Knull spreads his influence, Eddie and Venom must fight to maintain their bond, resist the Hive Mind’s corruption, and uncover a buried truth about the origins of the symbiotes — and Eddie’s own past.

Plot Summary

Following the events of Venom: The Last Hunt, Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) has learned to balance his life with Venom — barely. But peace is short-lived. A cataclysmic rift in space-time unleashes Knull, the God of the Abyss, who once created the symbiote race to extinguish the light of existence. Now free, Knull descends upon Earth, bringing with him a legion of dark symbiotes known as the Necrospawn, blanketing cities in living shadows.

As chaos unfolds, Eddie finds himself outmatched and overwhelmed. In a desperate alliance, he seeks help from both familiar faces and new ones — including a powerful symbiote host named Nyx (played by Ana de Armas), who harbors a secret that could either save the world or doom it.

The battle is not just physical. As Knull spreads his influence, Eddie and Venom must fight to maintain their bond, resist the Hive Mind’s corruption, and uncover a buried truth about the origins of the symbiotes — and Eddie’s own past.

Performances

Tom Hardy once again pours his soul into Eddie Brock, blending neurotic humor with raw vulnerability. The duality between Eddie and Venom is stronger than ever, evolving from snarky survival to a genuine bond tested under galactic pressure.

But it’s Dwayne Johnson who truly electrifies the screen. As Knull, he is a towering force — cold, philosophical, and terrifyingly serene. Unlike his usual charismatic roles, Johnson delivers a performance of chilling restraint, letting Knull’s godlike presence speak louder than words. Every glance is heavy with ancient fury, and his voice — deeper, slower, almost whispering — adds to the mythic menace.

Ana de Armas stuns as Nyx, a reluctant warrior whose pain rivals Eddie’s own. Her character offers the emotional core of the film, standing as a mirror to what Eddie could become — or what he must destroy.

Emotional Impact

While Venom 4 is packed with spectacle, its greatest strength lies in its emotional layers. Beneath the swirling void and cataclysmic battles is a very human story — of identity, addiction, sacrifice, and the terrifying beauty of choice. Eddie’s journey is no longer just about survival — it’s about becoming something more than a host, something more than a man.

Themes of isolation and control are explored with maturity, as Eddie realizes that true power lies not in domination, but in letting go. The relationship between him and Venom feels like an old, strange love — fierce, flawed, but fiercely loyal.

Tone and Pacing

The film balances its darker tone with flashes of wit and absurdity, mostly through Venom’s hilariously blunt commentary. The pacing is tight, with an escalating rhythm that builds from suspense to cosmic terror without losing its emotional throughline.

The horror elements are turned up — this is the King in Black after all — but they’re more psychological and existential than grotesque. Think Lovecraft meets Marvel, with moments of quiet dread that linger long after the screen goes dark.

Final Verdict

Venom 4: King in Black (2025) is the franchise’s boldest, darkest, and most ambitious chapter yet. With jaw-dropping visuals, deeply human performances, and a story that dares to stretch into myth and madness, it delivers an unforgettable cinematic experience.

This is not just a comic book film. It’s a war hymn, a requiem, and a rebirth. And it reminds us that even monsters — especially monsters — can be heroes when the darkness comes.

Rating: 9.5/10 – A thunderous, cosmic symphony of chaos and redemption. Long live the King in Black.