Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning Movie Review

Released: 23rd May 2025

Length: 170 Minutes

Certificate: 12A

Director: Christoper McQuarrie

Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Pomm Klementieff, Angela Bassett and Esai Morales

Mission Impossible has always led the way for blockbuster action on the silver screen; the escapades of Ethan Hunt have persistently delivered with too many memorable moments to count. After nearly thirty years, Tom Cruise’s premier franchise has reached something of an end point with The Final Reckoning. It may not be the best of the series, but the eighth entry is far from a lacklustre effort.

Picking up right after Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning, Ethan Hunt and his team continue the search for The Entity. The hostile AI is about to seize control of the world’s nuclear weapons and bring about armageddon with the nefarious Gabriel (Esai Morales) also seeking control. For one more operation, Ethan teams up with master thief Grace (Hayley Atwell), close friends Luther (Ving Rhames) and Benji (Simon Pegg) and other allies before the doomsday clock runs out. Cutting between the main characters and the escalating tensions at US high command, The Final Reckoning is the most referential entry in the series, going for the biggest build-up and highest stakes. This is both a blessing and a curse; on one hand the film weaves in connections to past missions without getting convoluted. On the other, it does result in a large surplus of explanatory dialogue. Before the action kicks into gear, a good portion of the runtime is dedicated to setting up the rules. Previous missions were more skilful in their pacing, maintaining their momentum with fewer words. It doesn’t severely damage the narrative but it is noticeable, especially in the first act. As the narrative goes on, MI:8 makes up for this by doing what it does best; taking the audience on a thrill ride with many big payoffs.

The writing discrepancies don’t affect the characters, who are all as likeable as ever. Hunt’s emotions are quite understated, but Tom still makes us feel the immense weight of the situation on his shoulders. One sacrifice is very well done without taking away from the action and Ethan’s story has a good conclusion. Hayley Atwell has really grown into the role of Grace, going from a self-interested thief to capable comrade; the film doesn’t force in a romance either. Luther and Benjie continue to offer some entertaining levity amid the deadly serious tone and other performers like Angela Bassett also bring dramatic tension. It’s a finale that ups the ante without becoming bloated, even bringing back an older character or two along the way. Admittedly, Gabriel is side-lined; Esai Morales does a good job, but the antagonist is off-screen for most of the film, leaving a basic AI to pick up the slack. Gabriel needed more screen-time to build a full rivalry between him and Hunt.

The production crew went all in for The Final Reckoning and the result is another round of outstanding stunts and nail-biting moments. The audacious sequences and narrow escapes never let up when the story gets going. Well-shot and fast-paced martial arts only scratch the surface as Ethan dives to a lost submarine in a high-tech suit and dangles from a bi-plane without a safety harness. Both are fantastic scenes that make full use of the cinematic format. You feel the imposing suspense at the bottom of the Bering Strait and with Cruise climbing around the planes for real, the franchise continues to outclass all other contemporaries in practical stunts. The effect is heightened on larger screens. It takes steps into science fiction at one point as the protagonist plugs himself into a digital coffin with some eye-popping effects. Max Aruj and Alfie Godfrey have picked up the soundtrack and their renditions are adapted to fit each sequence. When the sound drains out of the submarine sequence, the thunderous notes only add to the crushing depths.

Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning isn’t a definitive conclusion, but it’s a solid and very enjoyable thrill ride nonetheless. Despite a jarring surplus of dialogue and a disposable villain, it remains at the top of the genre for thrilling action and daring set pieces. Make sure to see it on the biggest screen possible; you won’t be disappointed.

Rating: 4/5 Stars (Great)