Venom 4: King in Black (2025), the hypothetical next chapter in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU), imagines a bold escalation from Venom: The Last Dance (2024), diving deep into the cosmic horror of Knull, the Symbiote God. Starring Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock and Venom, with Andy Serkis potentially returning as Knull, this speculative film builds on the trilogy’s chaotic charm while introducing a multiversal threat. In this 2000-word, SEO-optimized review, we’ll explore the imagined plot, performances, themes, visuals, and impact of Venom 4: King in Black, crafted for fans eager for a darker, grander Venom saga.

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Overview of Venom 4: King in Black

Venom 4: King in Black is envisioned as a high-stakes continuation of Sony’s Venom franchise, following the trilogy’s conclusion in Venom: The Last Dance (2024). Directed by a yet-to-be-named visionary (let’s assume Kelly Marcel returns, given her work on the third film), the movie centers on Eddie Brock and Venom facing Knull, the creator of the symbiotes, whose “King in Black” title signifies his dominion over the Symbiote Hive. Released hypothetically on October 24, 2025, with a runtime of 130 minutes and a PG-13 rating, the film blends action, dark humor, and cosmic horror, aiming to elevate the SSU’s scope.

The film builds on Knull’s introduction in Venom: The Last Dance, where he was portrayed as a godlike figure imprisoned on Klyntar, seeking the Codex to escape. This installment imagines a crossover event, potentially involving Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, to tackle Knull’s multiversal threat, drawing inspiration from the 2020–2021 Marvel Comics “King in Black” event by Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman.

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Plot Summary: A Multiversal Battle Against Darkness

Venom 4: King in Black opens with Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) grappling with the aftermath of Venom: The Last Dance, where Venom sacrificed himself to defeat Knull’s Xenophages. However, a surviving symbiote fragment re-bonds with Eddie, reviving Venom but alerting Knull, who escapes his Klyntar prison. Knull, voiced and motion-captured by Andy Serkis, unleashes an army of symbiote dragons on Earth, cocooning cities in darkness as he seeks to reclaim his title as the King in Black.

Eddie and Venom, now fugitives, team up with unlikely allies: Dr. Payne (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a scientist from the third film, and a streetwise Spider-Man (Tom Holland), whose presence ties the SSU to the MCU. The plot follows their efforts to stop Knull’s invasion, which threatens to consume Earth-616 and beyond. Subplots involve Eddie’s personal redemption, a strained alliance with Spider-Man, and the return of supporting characters like Mrs. Chen (Peggy Lu) for comedic relief. The climax features a cosmic showdown in New York, where Venom and Spider-Man confront Knull’s Grendel symbiote, blending visceral action with emotional stakes.

The narrative balances the trilogy’s buddy-comedy roots with a darker, more epic tone, echoing the “King in Black” comics’ multiversal stakes. While avoiding spoilers, the film’s resolution sets up future SSU projects, hinting at a broader Spider-Man universe.

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Stellar Performances: Hardy, Serkis, and Holland Shine

Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock/Venom

Tom Hardy returns as the heart of the franchise, delivering another unhinged yet heartfelt performance. His dual role as Eddie and Venom remains the series’ highlight, with their banter sharper and more emotional than ever. Hardy’s physicality in action scenes and his ability to convey Eddie’s vulnerability make him the perfect anchor for this cosmic tale.

Andy Serkis as Knull

Andy Serkis, introduced as Knull in Venom: The Last Dance, elevates the villain to Thanos-level menace. His motion-capture performance, paired with a chilling voice, brings the Symbiote God’s cosmic horror to life. Serkis balances Knull’s godlike arrogance with subtle rage, making him a formidable foe.

Tom Holland as Spider-Man

In this hypothetical film, Tom Holland’s Spider-Man adds a fresh dynamic. His youthful energy contrasts with Hardy’s grizzled Eddie, creating a tense yet comedic partnership. Holland’s action sequences, enhanced by web-slinging choreography, complement Venom’s chaotic fighting style, fulfilling fans’ crossover dreams.

Supporting Cast

Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Dr. Payne evolves from a mysterious figure to a key ally, adding gravitas. Juno Temple and Rhys Ifans return in expanded roles, while Peggy Lu’s Mrs. Chen delivers fan-favorite humor. New characters, like a symbiote-infected antihero inspired by the comics, add depth to the ensemble.

The cast’s chemistry drives the film, balancing humor, heart, and high-stakes action.

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Themes and Messages: Darkness, Redemption, and Unity

Venom 4: King in Black explores themes that resonate with the franchise’s roots while embracing the comics’ cosmic scope.

Cosmic Horror and Power

Knull’s role as the “God of the Abyss” introduces a Lovecraftian dread, exploring the fear of overwhelming power. The film contrasts Knull’s nihilistic dominion with Eddie and Venom’s fight for humanity, highlighting the strength found in defiance.

Redemption and Sacrifice

Eddie’s journey continues to center on redemption, as he seeks to atone for past mistakes. Venom’s evolving morality, shaped by his bond with Eddie, adds emotional depth, especially in scenes of sacrifice that echo Venom: The Last Dance.

Unity Against Chaos

The alliance between Venom and Spider-Man symbolizes unity in the face of chaos. Their uneasy partnership reflects the “King in Black” comics, where Earth’s heroes band together against Knull’s invasion, emphasizing teamwork and resilience.

Identity and Duality

The film delves into Eddie and Venom’s symbiotic relationship, exploring themes of identity and coexistence. Knull’s control over the Symbiote Hive challenges Venom’s autonomy, making their bond a metaphor for self-acceptance.

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Cinematography and Direction: A Visual Spectacle

Assuming Kelly Marcel directs, Venom 4 amplifies the visual coherence praised in Venom: The Last Dance. Cinematographer Fabian Wagner, who worked on the third film, crafts stunning visuals, from Knull’s shadowy Klyntar to New York’s symbiote-cocooned streets. The film uses vibrant CGI for symbiote battles, with Knull’s Grendel depicted as a towering, writhing mass of tendrils.

The action sequences, blending Venom’s fluid transformations with Spider-Man’s acrobatics, are inventive and chaotic, surpassing the trilogy’s earlier CGI fests. The soundtrack, featuring a mix of haunting orchestral scores and modern rock tracks, enhances the film’s tone, with a hypothetical needle-drop like “Sweet Child O’ Mine” for a comedic montage.

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Cultural Impact and Reception

Venom 4: King in Black would likely spark excitement for its bold expansion of the SSU. The introduction of Knull in Venom: The Last Dance was praised for its Thanos-esque potential, and this film could capitalize on that, setting up a crossover event rivaling Avengers: Secret Wars. Assuming a global box office of $600–800 million, based on the trilogy’s performance ($856M for Venom, $506M for Let There Be Carnage, $478.9M for The Last Dance), it would reinforce Venom’s status as Sony’s most successful SSU franchise.

Fan reactions on platforms like X would likely focus on the Venom-Spider-Man dynamic, with hashtags like #KingInBlack trending. Critics might praise the film’s ambition but note pacing issues, similar to The Last Dance’s mixed 37% Rotten Tomatoes score. Its cultural impact would lie in destigmatizing antiheroes and exploring cosmic stakes in superhero cinema.

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Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

• Dynamic Performances: Hardy, Serkis, and Holland deliver compelling, layered characters.

• Visual Spectacle: The CGI and action sequences are inventive and visually striking.

• Thematic Depth: The film balances humor with cosmic horror and emotional stakes.

• Crossover Appeal: The Venom-Spider-Man team-up fulfills long-standing fan expectations.

Weaknesses

• Narrative Overload: Multiple storylines, like those in The Last Dance, could feel cluttered.

• Knull’s Underuse: If Knull remains a distant threat, as in The Last Dance, fans may feel cheated.

• Pacing Issues: The cosmic scope might overshadow the intimate Eddie-Venom dynamic.

Despite potential flaws, the film’s ambition and star power would make it a standout.

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Why Venom 4: King in Black Would Matter

If realized, Venom 4: King in Black could redefine Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, delivering the epic crossover fans crave while honoring the comics’ legacy. Its blend of humor, heart, and horror would appeal to both casual viewers and Marvel diehards. Available on Netflix and Disney+ post-theatrical release, it would be a must-watch for superhero fans in 2025.

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Conclusion: A Bold Step for the SSU

Venom 4: King in Black imagines a thrilling evolution of the Venom franchise, blending the trilogy’s chaotic charm with the cosmic stakes of the “King in Black” comics. Tom Hardy’s Eddie and Venom, Andy Serkis’s terrifying Knull, and Tom Holland’s Spider-Man would create a dynamic, emotional, and action-packed spectacle. While not without risks, the film’s ambition makes it a worthy hypothetical addition to the SSU.

Call to Action: Would you watch Venom 4: King in Black? Share your thoughts below or check out Venom: The Last Dance on Netflix to prepare for this imagined epic. Subscribe for more superhero movie reviews!

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