“Venom: The Last Dance” marks the conclusion of Eddie Brock and Venom’s journey within Sony Pictures’ cinematic universe (SpiderVerse). After Venom sacrifices itself to defeat the Xenophage creatures sent by the dark god Knull, Eddie embarks on a new life in New York City, leaving behind a series of “crazy” adventures with his alien friend.
However, it seems this is not the end for the symbiotic creatures in the SpiderVerse. Sony Pictures has introduced a replacement for Venom in their latest blockbuster: Agony, a being that is symbiotically linked with Dr. Payne, a character who assisted Venom in the final battle against the Xenophage.
Decoding the “New Venom” of the Sony Cinematic Universe
Dr. Payne (played by Juno Temple) is a character created by Sony specifically for “Venom: The Last Dance,” inspired by Dr. Thaddeus Paine, known for his brutal experiments in Marvel comics. On the big screen, Payne is not portrayed as a villain but rather as someone with a special obsession with symbiotic creatures.
In the final battle at Area 51, Payne is forced to release and symbiotically bond with such a creature to ensure his and his colleagues’ safety. This symbiote grants him unique lightning-based powers, coincidentally aligning with Payne’s past experience of being struck by lightning. Though not explicitly named, the design, dominant pink/purple color scheme, and impressive long hair suggest that this symbiote is indeed Agony from the original Marvel comics.
As of now, Agony’s powers on the big screen remain a mystery, as the character only appears in the final segment of “The Last Dance” and does not showcase many abilities. What we do know is that Agony can move at lightning speed, allowing Dr. Payne and Sadie to escape Area 51 safely just before the explosion that obliterates the Xenophage and Venom.
The Origin and Powers of Agony in Marvel Comics
In the original storyline, Agony is one of five creatures created from Venom by the Life Foundation, which also includes Riot. Both the Life Foundation and Riot appeared in the first “Venom” film released in 2018. Agony and her “siblings” were created as protectors for the Life Foundation to safeguard the interests of stakeholders in the event of a global disaster. Collectively, they are known as the Guardian Symbiotes. “Venom: The Last Dance” also hints at two symbiotes capable of merging in the battle against the Xenophage—an Easter egg related to Hybrid, a member of the Guardian Symbiotes.
In terms of powers, Agony shares many abilities with her symbiotic counterparts. However, thanks to a government-enhanced serum, Agony possesses a unique special ability—capable of secreting corrosive acid to attack enemies—similar to the acid that dissolved Venom and the Xenophage in the final battle of “The Last Dance.”
As noted, the cinematic version of Agony has been equipped with a completely different skill set compared to the comics. These powers come from lightning, particularly in speed of movement and striking. For Marvel comic fans, Agony’s abilities evoke memories of another symbiote, Scorn. However, this creature is often associated with technological elements, and does not feature the long hair characteristic of Agony.
The Future of Agony in the SpiderVerse
The final battle between Venom and the Xenophage nearly wiped out all the symbiotes held captive at Area 51. Agony is the only surviving adult symbiote from this brutal conflict, alongside some remnants of Venom in the film’s after-credit scene. Tom Hardy has emphasized that “The Last Dance” will be his final project in the role of Venom, and Venom’s death serves as a definitive statement on this matter. Thus, if Sony wants to continue exploring symbiotes in the SpiderVerse, Agony is currently the best alternative.
However, Agony is a character with a relatively small role in Marvel comics, typically appearing alongside other members of the Guardian Symbiotes. This presents a challenge for Sony to delve deeper into Agony, but it also offers an opportunity for creative freedom with the character. Additionally, the story of the symbiotes in the SpiderVerse is likely to continue in the future, as the mid-credit scene of “The Last Dance” indicates Knull will still seek a way to free himself and destroy Earth.
Speaking of Knull, he is one of the greatest, most powerful, and terrifying villains in Marvel comics. Therefore, Sony needs to assemble a sufficiently formidable team of superheroes and anti-heroes to confront this deity. The death of Venom will be a significant loss in terms of power, necessitating higher quality reinforcements in the future. Agony, along with possibly other symbiotes, will be a solid choice to join forces with notable figures like Morbius, Kraven the Hunter, Vulture, Madame Web, and even Spider-Man to face Knull in upcoming projects.
Source: ScreenRant