Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning Review – Ethan Hunt’s Last Ride Is Ambitious, Action-Packed, and Flawed

A High-Stakes Farewell for Ethan Hunt

After nearly 30 years of gravity-defying stunts, world-saving missions, and breathtaking suspense, the Mission: Impossible franchise arrives at what could be its final chapter, the highly anticipated Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025). Marketed as the conclusion to Tom Cruise’s iconic portrayal of Ethan Hunt, this installment comes with sky-high expectations. With global threats, emotional stakes, and the ever-present danger of AI, the film takes a shot at explosive action with a reflective farewell.

But does The Final Reckoning succeed in wrapping up a beloved saga, or does it get lost in its own ambition? I went to an advance screening of the film last week and have all the tea, spoiler-free of course. Here's our Mission Impossible The Final Reckoning review.

Set in a world increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence, The Final Reckoning revolves around “The Entity” which is a rogue AI capable of manipulating the digital fabric of society. Ethan Hunt and the IMF team are tasked with retrieving the key to disabling this sentient threat before it falls into the wrong hands. Easy peasy, right? We chose to accept the mission. 

On paper, the plot is timely and chilling, tapping into current fears surrounding unchecked technology. We have all seen the conversations surrounding AI, self-driving cars. We cannot tell if a video is fake or not due to this technology. However, MI falters with the execution as it just feels so dang bloated. The film attempts to weave together tech paranoia, ethical dilemmas, and global espionage, but the result is a narrative that’s often too convoluted for its own good. The pacing slows down as the film leans heavily on exposition, occasionally interrupting the momentum built by its otherwise stellar action sequences. No one does action like Mr. Tom Cruise. 

Cruise remains the heartbeat of the franchise, and his performance here gives the intensity fans expect with moments of surprising vulnerability. Yes, he dangles off buildings and does what we expect him to do, but there is much more to this performance than the stunts. Cruise commits fully, making Hunt’s final journey feel personal. Give this man an Oscar for that alone. 

Hayley Atwell’s character, Grace, is a standout addition. As a skilled but morally ambiguous thief, she provides tension, charm, and a believable arc of transformation. Her dynamic with Cruise feels fresh, and she holds her own in both emotional and action-heavy scenes. Having said that, I still feel that Thandiwe Newton’s Nyah Hall (Mission Impossible II) will always have the best chemistry with Tom’s Ethan and the way they have disregarded her character is a shame. 

Veterans like Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg return to form, providing much-needed familiarity and warmth, although their roles feel slightly underutilized. The supporting cast delivers, but the film doesn’t give everyone the space to shine equally.

Of course we cannot forget about the Queen Angela Bassett who dominates every time she is on screen. Greg Tarzan Davis is one to watch. 

Visually, The Final Reckoning is stunning. Director Christopher McQuarrie once again proves he is the right man for the job when it comes to the look and feel of the movie.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is an ambitious, visually arresting, and emotionally charged chapter in the Ethan Hunt saga. It tries to do a lot albeit sometimes too much, but its heart remains in the right place. 

Despite this being Ethan’s last mission (maybe) Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning offers a solid farewell. While it doesn’t always hit its targets, the film succeeds in providing closure and spectacle. For fans of action cinema, this is one more mission that demands attention, even if it doesn't quite live up to the impossible standards set before it.