Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning (2025) Movie Review

Synopsis:

Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team continue their search for the AI threat called the Entity. Having infiltrated intelligence networks across the globe, the Entity is more dangerous than ever. Alongside new allies, Ethan must prevent the Entity from causing further worldwide disruption.

Review:

Judging by the film’s title, many fans believed The Final Reckoning to have been Ethan Hunt’s last mission.

Despite this, the film’s ending suggests otherwise. It leaves Cruise’s Ethan Hunt in a position where a follow-up film is possible.

If this is the conclusion to the franchise, The Final Reckoning may disappoint some fans.

Though the film’s stunts, action, and visuals are good, its storytelling sits on shaky ground.

For one, the film’s first half depends too much on flashbacks to previous entries.

On the positive side, this may be useful for audiences who haven’t watched the other films.

For those who have already watched the previous entries, this may be unnecessary. Another problem with the film is its reliance on endless exposition.

As there are so many different plot points at play, this film explores each one in significant detail.

While this is useful for explaining plot devices, The Final Reckoning has far too many of them.

As a result, the film’s pacing drags to a considerable halt in the first half. Despite upping the stakes in the second half, getting there can be an ordeal.

This film’s other problems are its human antagonist Gabriel (Esai Morales) and the AI known as the Entity.

Director Christopher McQuarrie has difficulty developing either of them.

Considering it’s an AI with world-ending capabilities, there's little you can do to make it interesting.

In a similar way to the previous film, it’s an interesting concept left underdeveloped. This also applies to the film’s human antagonist Gabriel.

In the previous film, Esai Morales’ character connection to the Entity allowed him to stay one step ahead of Ethan.

As a follow-up, audiences were expecting Gabriel to have further development.

Aside from making brief appearances in the first and third act, Esai Morales has little else to do.

For a film almost 3 hours in length, there shouldn’t be an excuse for not developing his character further. As a whole, Esai Morales’ Gabriel is even less important to the plot in this film.

Even franchise mainstay, Ving Rhames’ Luther Stickell has very little screen time. For some franchise fans, this may be disappointing.

Still, the film handles his brief appearance in a respectful enough way. Much of the film’s other performances are good.

As expected, Tom Cruise remains committed to his Ethan Hunt character. As a whole, his performance is more than capable.

As well as the stunts in the film, Cruise has more than proved his worth as an action star. This film’s supporting cast is also good.

Franchise mainstay Benji Dunn returns. Simon Pegg gives a good, if limited performance as the character. Hayley Atwell also returns as Grace, giving a capable performance.

Also returning is Pom Klementieff as the former assassin, Paris.

For context, her character receives no further development in this sequel. Despite this, the actress does well with what she’s given.

Complementing the characters and stunts is the composer, Max Aruj. While his music is good in parts, it doesn’t reach Lorne Balfe’s previous compositions.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, The Final Reckoning can be a meandering and frustrating film.

Its excessive exposition and flashbacks can halt the film’s momentum.

This is evident in the film's first half. During this, the film decides to explain every conceivable detail to the audience.

Also, its dependence on flashbacks to previous films makes it a chore to watch at times.

Much of the film’s focus on the AI known as the Entity is also uninteresting.

Though there are some interesting concepts, the film doesn’t take advantage of them. Esai Morales as the human antagonist Gabriel fails to leave an impact on proceedings.

His lack of screen time is a contributing factor to this. In a film with a significant runtime, there’s no excuse for not giving the actor more to do.

Mission: Impossible fans may also be disappointed by the short appearance of Ving Rhames as Luther Stickell.

As a franchise mainstay, this shouldn’t be the case. Despite this, the film’s treatment of him is serviceable.

Tom Cruise, as ever, gives a good performance as Ethan Hunt. His commitment to giving fans practical stunts is also appreciated.

This is a testament to his skills as an action star, even if his days as one may be winding down.

Most of the other cast give capable performances. This involves Simon Pegg as Benji Dunn and Hayley Atwell as Grace.

Pom Klementieff’s Paris, despite a lack of development, also gives a capable performance.

Contributing to the proceedings is Max Aruj as this film’s composer. As a whole, he doesn’t reach the highs of Lorne Balfe’s previous music.

Still, he complements the film’s action and visuals, which are good.

As a whole, The Final Reckoning falters in its first half. This is due to its excessive exposition, undeveloped concepts, and its human antagonist.

For audiences who can look past this, The Final Reckoning may be a mission worth undertaking.

Sam’s Action Reaction score:

Characters - 6.5/10

Story - 5.5/10

Action - 7/10

Visuals - 7/10

Soundtrack - 6.5/10

Overall score: 6.7 out of 10