Tom Cruise returns in Mission Impossible – Final Reckoning, delivering what may be his final run as Ethan Hunt with a grand spectacle that blends traditional filmmaking with high-stakes action. Since the franchise’s debut in 1996, audiences have followed Hunt through daring escapes, covert operations, and world-ending threats. Now, almost three decades later, the saga approaches what feels like a dramatic conclusion—one packed with practical stunts, emotional callbacks, and a timely storyline centered on artificial intelligence.
The story continues directly after Dead Reckoning Part One, placing Ethan Hunt in possession of half of a mysterious analog cruciform key. This key holds the fate of humanity, as it can either control or annihilate The Entity—a rogue AI threatening to disrupt global systems. With every nation at risk and digital trust shattered, Ethan teams up once again with his trusted allies—Luther (Ving Rhames), Benji (Simon Pegg), and Grace (Hayley Atwell)—in a race to retrieve the other half of the key, buried deep within a sunken Russian submarine.
Director Christopher McQuarrie returns to helm his fourth entry and delivers some of the franchise’s most intense action sequences yet. From speeding through crowded cities to navigating underwater dangers, Cruise leads the charge with his signature commitment to performing most of his own stunts. The film embraces practical effects over heavy CGI, grounding each action set piece in authenticity and intensity.
While the film excels in adrenaline and visuals, it also brings depth through its exploration of loyalty, sacrifice, and the threat posed by uncontrolled technology. That said, the movie does stumble slightly in its dialogue-heavy opening, which attempts to clarify the lore behind The Entity but sometimes bogs down the pace. Additionally, the absence of a clear antagonist weakens the emotional stakes, and the overall tone leans more serious than previous installments—trading playful exchanges for grave urgency.
Still, Final Reckoning succeeds where it matters most: it’s a thrilling, heartfelt farewell to one of cinema’s most iconic action heroes. If this truly marks Ethan Hunt’s last mission, it’s a fitting and powerful send-off that celebrates everything fans love about the franchise—intense action, real locations, and a lead who still defies gravity.
