Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning (2025) – Film Review
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Cast: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames
Certificate:
By David Reid
So how many Mission: Impossible movies have you seen? With this instalment, the series is set to close – at least for the time being – as the curtain falls on the team’s daredevil exploits in preserving the current world order. It has been twenty-nine years since Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) was first called upon to save himself – and the world – from a rogue operator in possession of a list of undercover CIA agents. This is the eighth outing for the franchise.
The films quickly became known for their convoluted plots and breathtaking action sequences. For me personally, following – or rather attempting to follow – the sometimes labyrinthine twists and turns of the story had a tendency to get in the way of my enjoyment. For that reason, in case you are a fellow sufferer, I will present a synopsis of the relevant parts of the plot from the 2023 Dead Reckoning Part One and of The Final Reckoning, to save you some research – and possibly a headache!
With a runtime of just short of three hours, it could be a mistake to approach the longest of these films, to date, totally unprepared. In Part One, newly-created AI technology, named The Entity, developed within an advanced Russian submarine called Sevastopol, goes rogue and fools the crew into self-destruction. By the end of Part One, Ethan Hunt had retrieved both parts of a cruciform (i.e. cross-shaped) key which would grant access to The Entity’s source code, contained within a small box called the Podkova.
“Twists and turns”
The Entity spreads false information around the world, in order to provoke conflict between countries and allow it to rule the world. For the mission to succeed, Ethan must make his way to the submarine on the seabed and – after a few plot twists and turns – disable The Entity using Luther’s computer programme. In addition to battling The Entity, Gabriel Martineli (Esai Morales) has designs of his own on gaining control of the technology, acting as a foil in human form for our intrepid hero.
Once again, Ethan Hunt is ably assisted by his trusted IMF (Impossible Missions Force) team, including Grace (Hayley Atwell), Luther (Ving Rhames), and Benji (Simon Pegg). Writer/Director/Producer Christopher McQuarrie, at the helm for his fourth Mission: Impossible, ensures the focus remains firmly on the action. The inimitable Tom Cruise is on top form – running, jumping, swimming, and generally suffering for his art.
Among the supporting performances, those of Hannah Waddingham and Trammell Tillman, playing naval commanders, are particularly notable. Many boxes are ticked, and I can provide assurance that Lalo Schifrin’s iconic theme tune will be playing in your head for perhaps days to come. The soundtrack overall is characterised by rhythmic hums and whines, increasing the tension during the action, which constitutes most of the movie. This is especially effective during the abandoned submarine sequence, when the vessel itself seems to creak and groan on the seabed.
Oddly, a well-telegraphed element to a key scene fails to materialise as anticipated. It must still be on the cutting room floor. The tension is interspersed with fleeting moments of levity – usually in the form of puzzled looks or shrugs – which avoid undermining the seriousness of the tasks in hand.
“Genuinely thrilling”
As you might expect, lots of technology is deployed. Here, the filmmakers have gone big – eschewing motorcycles in favour of an aircraft carrier, for example. Much of the plot has links with earlier missions in a bid to tie up loose ends in the narrative – and this is set out clearly. As you would expect, the film comes into its own during the set-piece action sequences.
Although the pace ensures audience engagement, for me, the submarine section could have been shorter. That said, the biplane duel is genuinely thrilling – perhaps more Indiana Jones, with a nod to Buster Keaton, than Top Gun – and would benefit from being seen on the biggest screen you can find. Special mention is due to cinematographer Fraser Taggart and editor Eddie Hamilton for this sequence.
I wouldn’t describe this movie as a must-see, although neither can it be described as a lame ending to the series. It is a proper old-school popcorn action picture, fully aware of its role in cinematic history.
So, will Mission: Impossible return in the future? It’s reported that no such plans are in place. However, Tom Cruise, now in his sixties, has been quoted as saying he would like to remain involved in future Mission: Impossible movies into his eighties. So, you could well be invited to experience future missions at a time to be determined… should you wish to accept it.
David’s passion for cinema began with his first trip to the movies during The Troubles in Northern Ireland, where a screening of Jaws was dramatically interrupted by a bomb scare. Growing up in such an environment made entertainment scarce, deepening his appreciation for film and the arts. Over 25 years ago, he won a national film review competition, earning free cinema for life. This experience has allowed him to explore a vast range of genres and storytelling techniques. His reviews aim to provide insightful commentary without spoiling key surprises, helping audiences decide if a film is for them. He believes great filmmaking is rooted in strong storytelling, engaging viewers through narrative depth and presentation.
