A Non-Spoiler Review of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning By Chris “Boogie” Brown
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is the eighth installment in the nearly 30-year franchise starring Tom Cruise and once again directed by Christopher McQuarrie.
This film picks up after the events of 2023’s Dead Reckoning and serves as a direct sequel. It follows the IMF team, led by Ethan Hunt, as they continue their mission to stop the rogue AI system known as the Entity. Now more powerful than ever, the Entity can control the world’s digital systems, disable defense networks, collapse economies, and undermine entire governments. The IMF must race against the clock to deactivate it before a global war ensues.
Final Reckoning is an excellent film that delivers all the thrills viewers have come to expect from the Mission: Impossiblefranchise. The sheer scope and scale of this globe-trotting chapter are massive, with top-tier production values throughout. While it doesn’t feature quite as much action as some previous entries, it is no less entertaining. This time around, the film leans more into its political thriller and espionage roots, driven largely by dialogue and timely themes surrounding artificial intelligence. The clever screenplay, penned by McQuarrie and Erik Jendresen, explores tension, paranoia, and our collective anxieties about technology.
One of my favorite aspects of the film is how it pays homage to the entire franchise through flashbacks, returning characters, and clever plot tie-ins. If you haven’t seen all six of the earlier films, this one does a decent job of catching you up. Still, you must watch Dead Reckoning to fully grasp the central plot here. Among all the entries, this may be the most emotional—featuring rich character arcs and heartfelt chemistry among the team. Despite the larger-than-life action, the story never loses its emotional core.
McQuarrie once again delivers a masterclass in direction, balancing the film’s intricate plot with stunning locales, breathtaking action, and genuine emotional weight. As with his previous films—Rogue Nation, Fallout, and Dead Reckoning—he draws standout performances from his cast in every type of scene. His visual storytelling shines through elegant camera work, seamless transitions, and smooth editing. The cinematography by Fraser Taggart is nothing short of breathtaking, capturing both the tension and the spectacle.
As for the action, while the sequences are more spaced out, they’re no less effective. Expect close-quarters hand-to-hand combat, high-stakes escapes, gunfights, and chase scenes. But the real standouts are two massive set pieces—one involving a submarine, the other a pair of biplanes. The horror, claustrophobia, tension, and sheer adrenaline packed into these sequences are amplified by the film’s stellar sound design, score, and visual effects. The scale and danger feel incredibly real, a testament to the craftsmanship and safety that must’ve gone into them. These are sequences that demandto be seen on the biggest screen possible.
The film features a stellar ensemble cast, blending familiar faces and newer additions. Standouts include Ving Rhames as Luther, Simon Pegg as Benji, Angela Bassett as President Sloan, Henry Czerny as Eugene Kittridge, Hayley Atwell as Grace, Pom Klementieff as Paris, Tramell Tillman as Captain Bledsoe, and Esai Morales as Gabriel. Everyone brings something unique to the table, whether in dramatic moments, action sequences, or scenes of levity. Still, when it comes to pure charm, emotional intensity, and action hero grit, the standout is—no surprise—Tom Cruise.
After nearly three decades of playing Ethan Hunt, Cruise’s commitment to Mission: Impossible speaks for itself. His full-throttle performance combines physical intensity, nuanced acting, and fearless stunt work. At almost 63 years old, he’s still performing demanding stunts with discipline and precision. His dedication to making audiences feel like what we’re watching is real is something rare in Hollywood today. Cruise truly is the last of a dying breed—and he shows no signs of slowing down.
If I had one critique, it’s that the film leans too heavily on exposition at times. While necessary for viewers who haven’t seen all the previous films, it occasionally bogs down the pacing. The three-hour runtime, while not a dealbreaker, could have been tightened to make the story feel more efficient.
Still, Final Reckoning proudly upholds the legacy of the Mission: Impossible franchise and delivers adrenaline-charged thrills from start to finish. From direction and cinematography to acting, technical execution, score, and spectacle—this is easily one of my favorite films of 2025. Whether or not it’s the last entry, the series, if it ends here, concludes on an incredible high note.
I’ve loved every film in this franchise since Brian De Palma’s original in 1996. Sure, some are better than others, and fans will always debate their rankings—but one thing has always been true: Tom Cruise has never short-changed fans. If this is his final mission, he stuck the landing in legendary fashion.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning hits theaters everywhere on May 23 and comes highly recommended. Enjoy!
4.5 out of 5.