Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning Review: A Fitting (If Flawed) Farewell

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

The Final Sprint: Ethan Hunt’s Last Ride

If Mission: Impossible – Fallout was a detonation, then Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is the slow shockwave that follows. Tom Cruise returns for what might be Ethan Hunt’s last ride—older, sharper, and still sprinting like the fate of the world depends on his knees. Directed once again by Christopher McQuarrie, this installment dials up the spectacle and slows down the tempo, delivering a high-stakes conclusion that, while not flawless, still hits hard where it counts.

Franchise Standing: A Middle-Tier Mission

Let’s get this out of the way: it’s not the best in the franchise, but it’s nowhere near the bottom either. The Final Reckoning comfortably lands in the middle tier—better than M:I 2 or M:I 3, but not quite reaching the relentless heights of Fallout or Rogue Nation. That said, it does something those earlier entries didn’t: it brings a kind of existential weight. There’s a finality humming beneath the surface, like everyone involved knows the mission’s almost over—and they’re ready to burn the map behind them.

Action & Tension: A Masterclass in Spectacle

The action sequences remain a masterclass in tension. A standout underwater set piece is gorgeously shot and claustrophobically intense—you half-expect Ed Harris to show up in a high-pressure diving suit. This sequence alone would make an unexpectedly perfect double feature with The Abyss. The audience at my screening was fully immersed; audible gasps and seat-shifting punctuated every twist. Cruise and his team orchestrate crowd reactions like a symphony.

Cracks in the Armor: Technical Flaws

But The Final Reckoning isn’t without its cracks. A few scenes feel rushed, as if trimmed to meet deadlines. Shots with mismatched ADR (mouths out of sync, dubbed lines) are minor but noticeable. More distracting is the sketchy green-screen work in the finale, which yanks viewers out of the moment when tension should be peaking. These flaws aren’t dealbreakers, but they prevent the film from achieving legendary status.

Legacy & Emotional Weight: Beyond the Mask

The emotional core revolves around legacy—who Ethan Hunt is when the mask comes off, and whether the mission ever truly ends. Cruise commits fully, his body language as expressive as his stunts, conveying the weariness of a man who’s sacrificed everything yet soldiers on. The supporting cast shines in fleeting moments, though some are sidelined for spectacle. Yet when adrenaline takes over, the film remembers its identity and floors the accelerator.

Conclusion: A Fitting Final Bow

If this is indeed Cruise’s last Mission: Impossible, it goes out swinging—not with a perfect score, but with a firm, confident goodbye. The film knows its audience, honors its legacy, and delivers the goods, even if a few screws are loose. For fans, The Final Reckoning offers urgency, nostalgia, and enough chaos to remind us why this series has thrived for nearly 30 years. It’s a farewell that feels earned—packed with heart, spectacle, and just the right amount of recklessness.

Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning is in theaters May 23, 2025 (USA)

Details

• Rating Certificate: PG-13 (for sequences of strong violence and action, bloody images, and brief language.)
• Studios & Distributors: Paramount Pictures | Skydance Media | TC Productions | British Film Commission | Truenorth Production
• Director: Christopher McQuarrie
• Written By: Bruce Geller (series created by) | Erik Jendresen (screenplay by) | Christopher McQuarrie (screenplay by)
• Country: United Kingdom | USA
• Language: English
• Run Time: 169 Mins.
• Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 | 1.90:1 (IMAX)
• Release Date: 23 May 2025