Quick, can you recite the plot of the last Mission: Impossible without looking it up? The answer for most people is clearly no, and it’s likely a common thread for pretty much all of the chapters in this series. As for such a globe-trotting, pulse-pounding adventure series, the MI franchise hasn’t really left its mark in terms of memorable villains (sans Philip Seymour Hoffman) or sticky plots that leave a lasting impression. As a demonstration, here’s the synopsis for the upcoming The Final Reckoning:
Picking up where Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) left off, IMF agent Ethan Hunt continues his mission to stop Gabriel from obtaining the AI program known as “the Entity”.
For even the people who actually watched Dead Reckoning, I’d imagine they wouldn’t even remember names like ‘Gabriel’ or ‘The Entity’ in relation to these movies, until they’re brought up again. But as a quick refresher, The Entity itself is a seemingly clairvoyant AI program so powerful that whichever individual or organization obtains it has the means and potential to control the world. As if the idea alone isn’t way too topical for comfort. Gabriel, introduced in the last film, is not only after The Entity, but he has a deeply personal relationship to Ethan Hunt, going back decades, thus intensifying their rivalry and animosity.
I make reference to the ephemeral nature of the franchise’s plots because, as this series comes to a close for the Tom Cruise era, I think it’s interesting to look back at what these films have meant to popular culture, and what they will be most remembered for. And while I do think there’s a fair bit of expertly woven craftsmanship in some of the screenplays for these movies, it’s not at all what people associate the franchise with. In fact, if I were to ask you to think of things you remember from the Mission: Impossible films that you can recall vividly, the first images that pop into your head are likely going to be some grand stunt, spectacle, action sequence, or Tom Cruise running across a diverse array of terrain and green screens. Ethan Hunt (Cruise) is also often hanging off shit, or riding motorcycles dangerously close to the pavement because he’s real cool, and he’s bolstered by the likes of Henry Cavill also doing cool stuff, or Simon Pegg upending the tension with jokes.
That is ultimately what has made the films beloved as iconic cultural touchstones. No, they’re not particularly dazzling in terms of plotting or intricate character growth. In fact, audiences probably forget 75% of the plot just a couple of weeks after seeing these films. Yet, the Mission: Impossible films remain memorable and instantly recognizable due to the central star’s insane disregard for his own well being, a commitment to wow you in the theater with each installment, and an intense but exciting tone that makes these films feel like event movies. And while I can imagine that, one day, Hollywood might cast a new young rising star to take up the mantle and reboot this thing, this still remains as a swan song for this era of action movies; including a zeal for incredible stunt work and commitment to visceral, sweaty, and hard-hitting fistfights. Which will likely be the series’ legacy, even if you can barely name 2 characters across all 8 movies, and that’s after we spot you Ethan Hunt. As for the final film itself, specifically, below is our latest trailer and final look at what this last chapter has in store. And oh, look, Tom is hanging off something:
As a concluding chapter, it’s no surprise that the film looks to be trying to fit in as many grand setpieces as possible. There’s even visual references to previous films, such as Hunt hanging off a helicopter and being potentially saved at the bottom of the ocean, being reminiscent of similar scenes in Rogue Nation (2015). The plot itself, at least as outlined in the previews, does feel like more of the same. A powerful macguffin as the motivation of the characters, as Ethan Hunt and friends try to outmaneuver everyone, including his own agency. I feel like the IMF has betrayed Hunt, branded him a traitor, or attempted to frame him about a half dozen times at this point. If you’re figuratively out of the office for years, do you really work for those people anymore? The repetitive writing on this seems to be the franchise’s way of conjuring easy-to-write conflict for the story without turning the government into a full-fledged villain.
One thing the trailers don’t show is how the character arcs of the principal cast will evolve. Very slight spoilers for the previous films, but in Fallout (2018) – Benji (Pegg) endures a near death experience in the climax of that film. In the next film, Dead Reckoning, the theme of death emerges again as Benji is forced to answer a question that confronts his fears of mortality. The writing seemingly leaning into the idea that the absurd stunts the characters have survived could potentially catch up to them, in a meta way that is much better handled than when F9 (2021) tackled a similar beat. The trailer doesn’t really build on that theme, however, so it’s unclear if it’s a thread that will be continued and concluded here, but I imagine it will be. I mean, it better be, since the very title of the movie seems to be hinting at it. Also missing is the franchise’s previous exploration of Ethan Hunt’s romantic life. Namely, his inability to settle down, his continued friendship with ex Julia (Michelle Monaghan), or if he has a one true love on the horizon. What the trailer does hammer home is much will be covered in regards to Hunt’s friendship with the likes of Benji and Luther (Ving Rhames).
All of this is to be expected. You expect the trailer to sell the movie on stunts, explosions, and beautiful aerial shots. How much depth the actual story has, if any at all, will require us to see the film in theaters. However, for a franchise whose perception is that of chaotic action oeuvres, with just enough of a template of a plot to weave the franchise from film to film, I’m still interested to see if the writing can put a poetic bow on the characters themselves and give them real gravitas. The movie itself will have a hard time matching or surpassing the highs of the past, particularly Brian De Palma’s epic original, Rogue Nation, and Fallout. But that’s the difficulty of conclusions – balancing giving us more of what we already liked, while also being unique enough to stand on its own. I can’t guarantee this final chapter will exceed expectations, but it has at least earned the anticipation.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning bows out in (hopefully) a blaze of glory on May 23rd, 2025.
