Mission: Impossible final reckoning ending sparks debate over Ethan Hunt's farewell

Express Tribune

23-05-2025

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning positions itself as a grand conclusion for both the series and Tom Cruise's iconic Ethan Hunt. However, the actual ending challenges this notion, leaving fans questioning whether this is truly the end.
Before being titled The Final Reckoning, the film was initially known as Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 2. The decision to change the title came after a lacklustre box office reception for Part 1 in 2023, likely due to poor timing, as it was released just before the massive Barbenheimer weekend. The movie also became a battleground for conflicting visions between Paramount and Cruise, with The Hollywood Reporter revealing that Cruise himself wasn't ready to say goodbye to the character.
Despite the 'final' label, the film ends with a gathering of familiar faces in London's Trafalgar Square. Ethan Hunt, played by Cruise, is joined by Grace (Hayley Atwell), Benji (Simon Pegg), and even the previously antagonistic character, Paris (Pom Klementieff). This scene provides a sense of closure, but only to a point. In fact, it mirrors several moments from earlier films, such as celebratory team gatherings in Ghost Protocol and Fallout. The repeated scenes suggest the movie might be more of a continuation than a definitive farewell.
Additionally, the film's plot feels incomplete. Key emotional arcs—such as Ethan's past, his relationship with the villain Gabriel (Esai Morales), and the loss of Ilsa and Luther—remain unresolved. While the movie touches on these themes, it never fully addresses them, leaving the audience wanting more closure.
Despite this, the film's climactic action sequence is undeniably thrilling. Ethan Hunt's death-defying stunt involving a biplane is a signature Mission: Impossible moment, offering the spectacle fans expect. However, even this iconic sequence feels like a compromise, drawing heavily from previous films in the series.
Ultimately, The Final Reckoning doesn't truly mark the end of the franchise. It's more of a transition, as the series prepares for a potential reboot or reinvention. With Cruise still eager to continue, the ending may signal a shift rather than a conclusion, leaving fans divided over whether Ethan Hunt's true farewell is yet to come.