Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is a 2025 American action spy film and the eighth installment in the Mission: Impossible series. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Erik Jendresen, it serves as the sequel to Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023). The film stars Tom Cruise, who returns as Ethan Hunt and also serves as a producer alongside McQuarrie. The movie premiered world-wide, in Tokyo on May 5, 2025, and was released theatrically in the United States on May 23, 2025.
Final Reckoning picks up two months after the events of the seventh installment, following the retrieval of the key to the source code for the malevolent artificial intelligence known as the Entity. Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise), an agent of the Impossible Mission Force (IMF), continues his relentless pursuit of the “Podkova” module, a critical component he needs to permanently shut down the Entity and prevent a forthcoming nuclear apocalypse.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning serves as a bold and fitting farewell to what is arguably the greatest action franchise of all time. The film delivers a satisfying conclusion to Ethan Hunt’s journey, honoring the legacy of the iconic character with a star-studded cast and high-stakes storytelling. The movie stayed in true to Mission: Impossible tradition, showcasing some of the most elaborate and breathtaking action sequences ever seen, each one meticulously crafted and thrilling to watch. Among the highlights are some of my favorites are; underwater submarine scene and the insane plane stunt, perfect examples of why fans have fallen in love with this franchise. It’s an incredible send-off that captures the essence of what makes Mission: Impossible truly impossible.
Moreover, I thought Angela Bassett’s performance was incredible, delivering a compelling and emotionally charged portrayal that brought authenticity and depth to the story. With the script placing greater emphasis on emotional nuance, we were able to see the more human side of the series, which added a powerful layer to the action.
However, a few scenes felt unnecessary and could have been trimmed, and some of the editing, particularly toward the ending, came across as rushed. Nonetheless, the film shines with its outstanding visuals, heartfelt emotional lines, and meaningful throwbacks that harken all the way back to the original Mission: Impossible (1996).
Overall, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is a phenomenal film and a powerful conclusion to the iconic franchise. For newcomers, I highly recommend watching the first seven films beforehand to fully appreciate what makes this franchise legendary.
