Review: Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

Tom Cruise first took on the role of Ethan Hunt in 1996, portraying a top agent of the Impossible Missions Force, a covert government organization assigned to high-risk operations. From the very beginning, Hunt became the face of the IMF. He is the one who always leads the team and puts everything on the line to get the job done.

Now, nearly 30 years later, the eighth film in the saga arrives in theaters: Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. The story picks up directly from Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, in which Ethan must stop a powerful artificial intelligence known as The Entity from falling into the wrong hands. Created by Russian developers, this AI poses an unprecedented threat. It is capable of infiltrating and controlling all global systems that rely on the internet and telecommunications.

This latest installment connects strongly with today’s growing concerns about AI. At the same time, it maintains all the core elements that fans expect from the franchise. The soundtrack is as iconic as ever, the spy gadgets make a return, and there are plenty of cars speeding through chaotic action sequences.

Watch the trailer for Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning:

One Last Race Against Time

In the previous movie, the world’s superpowers were all fighting to control The Entity, a highly advanced artificial intelligence that can only be accessed using a cross-shaped key. The key ended up in Ethan’s possession, but the origin of the AI lies deep within the Russian submarine Sevastopol, which was destroyed after the system gained autonomy.

That is where this film begins. Ethan’s goal is now to reach the source of the AI, understand it, and stop it from unleashing a potential global catastrophe.

As expected, the film is filled with incredible set pieces. There is a tense underwater dive sequence and a high-altitude plane scene that pushes the physical limits of the action. These stunts are a staple of the franchise. If it does not seem impossible, then it is not a Mission: Impossible film.

One of the most interesting narrative choices is the shift toward analog methods. Because The Entity can access and manipulate any digital system, the IMF team is forced to go completely off-grid. They return to old-fashioned tools and methods to avoid detection. The AI becomes the most dangerous adversary in the series, not because of physical strength, but because it cannot be fought in conventional ways.

A High-Stakes Script That Looks Back and Moves Forward

The screenplay, written by Bruce Geller, Erik Jendresen, and Christopher McQuarrie, does a good job balancing spectacle and legacy. While the film delivers on visual thrills, it also tries to bring closure to Ethan Hunt’s story in a way that feels consistent with everything that came before.

One of the most clever touches is the way the story ties back to Mission: Impossible III, particularly the mysterious Rabbit’s Foot. This artifact played a central role in the third film but was never explained. Some believed it was a biological weapon. In this new story, a different theory is proposed: that the Rabbit’s Foot was actually a digital virus, possibly the very one that corrupted The Entity.

This theory adds a new layer of intrigue. It also highlights one of the franchise’s strengths—the ability to take unanswered questions from previous films and turn them into meaningful plot points years later.

Loyal Allies, Rogue Enemies, and a Mission Worth Finishing

The film also explores Ethan’s growing distrust in the very institution he serves. After discovering that IMF Director Kittridge had plans to control The Entity, Ethan realizes he can no longer rely on official orders. His mission becomes personal.

His closest allies remain by his side. Benji, Luther, Grace, and Paris each play a key role in the operation. Meanwhile, Gabriel returns as the primary antagonist, a ghost from Ethan’s past with a mission to destroy everything Ethan cares about. Their final confrontation is one of the film’s most emotional and intense moments, especially during a jaw-dropping sequence involving a vintage biplane.

These character arcs and emotional stakes are where the film shines. However, the structure of the action scenes occasionally lacks coherence. Some set pieces feel disconnected from the overall narrative. A few story beats contradict earlier exposition, especially in scenes where physical logic is stretched to its limits.

One example is the dive scene. After carefully explaining the danger and protocol involved, Ethan defies all of it and emerges without consequence. These moments can feel overly convenient, though longtime fans may be willing to overlook them in exchange for the cinematic payoff.

Tom Cruise Gives Everything in His Final Run

Tom Cruise’s commitment to the role is once again undeniable. Not only is he the lead actor, but also the producer and creative force behind the franchise. Since 1996, Cruise has defined the tone and identity of these films, blending bold storytelling with physical stunts that very few actors would dare to attempt.

In this final chapter, Ethan Hunt is portrayed as a man who is fully aware of what is at stake. He is not afraid to die, but he will not let anyone else take the fall if he can help it. His sense of duty goes beyond orders. It is deeply personal.

Cruise runs, jumps, dives, flies, fights, and still finds room to express vulnerability and charm. He delivers a performance that is physically exhausting and emotionally resonant.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is not just another entry in a long-running series. It is a send-off. The film revisits the past with purpose and offers fans a final mission that is both thrilling and emotional. It balances fan service with genuine storytelling.

At nearly three hours in length and with an estimated budget of 400 million dollars, this is the biggest and most ambitious film in the series. The scale is enormous, but the focus remains on the characters and the legacy they leave behind.

Despite its occasional flaws, the movie succeeds in delivering what it promises. It is a spectacular farewell, full of memorable moments and emotional weight. And above all, it reminds us why Ethan Hunt became one of cinema’s most iconic heroes.

Will this truly be his last mission? Only time will tell. But if it is, it is a mission well accomplished.

Are you planning to see the film? Let us know what you think!