Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt in Mission Impossible for what is billed as his last outing in the enduring action series as Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning hits theaters. With an all-star cast and new high-stakes threats, the franchise delivers its eighth and likely final installment, featuring familiar faces and fresh characters in a globe-spanning adventure, where Hunt faces off against an advanced AI force known as The Entity.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning launches with star power
As cinema audiences are treated to the newest chapter in the Mission: Impossible saga, Tom Cruise resumes his iconic role as IMF agent Ethan Hunt. Picking up directly from the conclusion of Dead Reckoning, Hunt is now in possession of a crucial key that could end The Entity’s reign, an artificial intelligence threatening global security. Backing Hunt are his long-time allies and team members, risking it all in what promises to be a climactic mission loaded with twists and action.
Long-serving co-stars Ving Rhames, playing Luther Stickell, and Simon Pegg, as Benji Dunn, are central to the IMF team’s efforts. Hayley Atwell, who joined the franchise in the previous movie as expert thief Grace, now becomes a full member of the team, amplifying the cast’s appeal. Notably absent, however, is Rebecca Ferguson’s Ilsa Faust, a character whose departure resonated with dedicated followers of the series.
A comprehensive look at the cast and their roles
The Final Reckoning brings together a wide array of major and supporting characters, both new and returning, to the Mission Impossible universe. Here’s a detailed guide to who’s who in this star-studded film:
- Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt
Ethan Hunt stands as the face of the Impossible Mission Force, known for his unorthodox methods, loyalty, and willingness to bend the rules to defeat threats far beyond ordinary scope. Cruise, an acclaimed actor whose filmography includes everything from Risky Business and Top Gun to Rain Man, Magnolia, and Jerry Maguire, has played Hunt throughout the franchise’s three-decade run, earning international recognition and three Oscar nominations. - Hayley Atwell as Grace
Grace, a former thief, was hired to steal from Hunt but transitioned to his ally and team member by last film’s end. Atwell, well-known for her work as Peggy Carter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and for roles in Black Mirror, Cinderella, Howards End, and The Duchess, brings depth to a character who blends cunning with loyalty. - Ving Rhames as Luther Stickell
The ever-reliable Luther Stickell remains Ethan’s oldest friend and technical expert. Rhames has appeared as Luther in every installment and is also renowned for his work in films such as Pulp Fiction, Con Air, and the TV series The District. - Simon Pegg as Benji Dunn
As the tech-savvy Benji Dunn, Pegg joined the team in Mission: Impossible III and has become a staple of the franchise. Pegg’s broader body of work includes comedic turns in the Cornetto Trilogy (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, The World’s End), Star Trek, Man Up, and Ready Player One, as well as voice roles in the Ice Age series. - Esai Morales as Gabriel
Gabriel, introduced as an extremist acting as the liaison between The Entity and the outside world, is a nemesis from Ethan’s past. Morales is noted for roles in Caprica, Ozark, Criminal Minds, and as Deathstroke in Titans. - Pom Klementieff as Paris
Paris, once an enforcer for Gabriel, turns against her former boss after Ethan’s mercy. Klementieff is familiar to many as Mantis in the Guardians of the Galaxy films and has starred in Oldboy, Ingrid Goes West, and Thunder Force. - Henry Czerny as Eugene Kittridge
Kittridge, the CIA director and former IMF deputy, has a long, turbulent history with Hunt. Czerny appeared in the first Mission: Impossible film and returned in Dead Reckoning. His resume spans The Boys of St Vincent, Clear and Present Danger, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Scream VI, and TV’s Revenge. - Angela Bassett as President Erika Sloane
Previously CIA director, Sloane now serves as the U.S. President. Angela Bassett’s acclaimed career includes starring roles in What’s Love Got to Do with It, Malcolm X, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and several seasons of American Horror Story and 9-1-1. - Holt McCallany as Serling Bernstein
Bernstein is depicted as the U.S. Secretary of Defence. McCallany is best recognized for Mindhunter and appearances in Fight Club, Wrath of Man, Nightmare Alley, and The Iron Claw. - Janet McTeer as Walters
Walters, the Secretary of State, is played by McTeer, who will portray McGonagall in the upcoming Harry Potter series and is known for roles in Wuthering Heights, Velvet Goldmine, Maleficent, Me Before You, and Jessica Jones. - Nick Offerman as General Sydney
The film’s Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Offerman is best known as Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation, with other notable parts in Fargo, Devs, and The Last of Us as well as films like The Founder and Civil War. - Hannah Waddingham as Rear Admiral Neely
Neely commands an aircraft carrier. Waddingham is celebrated for Ted Lasso, as well as parts in Sex Education, Benidorm, Game of Thrones, and a host of West End shows. - Shea Whigham as Jasper Briggs
Briggs, a U.S. intelligence officer, spent much of Dead Reckoning tracking Hunt but ultimately aided him. Whigham appears in Boardwalk Empire, Fargo, True Detective, and films like The Wolf of Wall Street, Joker, and the Fast & Furious franchise. - Greg Tarzan Davis as Theo Degas
Theo has gone from Briggs’s partner hunting Ethan to a loyal IMF member. Davis has previously shared the screen with Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick and appeared in Grey’s Anatomy. - Charles Parnell as Richards
Richards, the Director of National Intelligence, returns from Dead Reckoning. Parnell is known for All My Children, The Last Ship, Top Gun: Maverick, and The Killer. - Tramell Tillman as Captain Bledsoe
Captain Bledsoe is a U.S. submarine commander, played by Tillman, who is most recognized for Severance and roles in Godfather of Harlem and Hunters. - Rolf Saxon as William Donloe
Donloe, a CIA analyst, appeared in the first Mission: Impossible film. Saxon’s credits include Tomorrow Never Dies and Saving Private Ryan. - Tommie Earl Jenkins as Colonel Burdick
- Mark Gatiss as Angstrom
As head of the NSA, Gatiss’s Angstrom returns from Dead Reckoning. Gatiss is highly familiar to British TV audiences thanks to Sherlock, Doctor Who, Nolly, and film roles in The Favourite and The Mercy. - Mariela Garriga as Marie
- Lucy Tulugarjuk as Tapeesa
Tapeesa is Donloe’s wife. Tulugarjuk has featured in Canadian films including The Journals of Knud Rasmussen and Searchers. - Katy O’Brian as Kodiak
Kodiak is portrayed as a naval soldier stationed on a submarine. O’Brian starred opposite Kristen Stewart in Love Lies Bleeding and has TV credits such as The Mandalorian, Black Lightning, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - Stephen Oyoung as Pills
- Pasha D Lychnikoff as Captain Koltsov
Key characters in depth: Motivations and backgrounds
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning further explores the emotional and professional motivations of its ensemble. Ethan Hunt faces the moral dilemmas of sacrificing personal happiness for the greater good, while team members like Luther Stickell and Benji Dunn offer unwavering loyalty despite the increasing risks. Grace’s evolution from antagonist to ally highlights the narrative’s recurring theme: redemption is possible through trust and teamwork.
Villains such as Gabriel and organizations like The Entity present Hunt with unprecedented threats. Gabriel’s history with Ethan, tied to past losses and betrayals, gives the conflict a personal edge, intensifying the film’s energetic tone. Meanwhile, the return of government figures like Eugene Kittridge and the rise of President Erika Sloane add layers of political intrigue and complexity to the mission.
What makes the cast unique—connections to Hollywood and beyond
The strength of this installment lies partly in its diverse roster of talent. Beyond Cruise’s international stardom, the film connects fans to a tapestry of acclaimed actors, from Ving Rhames and Angela Bassett’s dramatic legacies, to rising stars like Pom Klementieff and Katy O’Brian, who bring experience from the Marvel and Star Wars franchises. Nick Offerman, Hannah Waddingham, and Mark Gatiss, with roots in comedy, drama, and stage, underscore the series’ reach across genres and generations.
This cast’s interconnectedness to other major Hollywood franchises and award-winning projects lends the film both credibility and breadth, appealing to a wide range of moviegoers. Their previous roles—from superhero blockbusters to critically acclaimed series—add depth to the characters they portray here and raise anticipation for the ensemble’s chemistry on screen.
Major absences and changes from previous films
Fans may take note of Rebecca Ferguson’s absence as Ilsa Faust, as her departure marks a significant transition for the team. Returning actors, such as Henry Czerny as Kittridge and Rolf Saxon as Donloe, offer continuity and nostalgic ties to the very first Mission: Impossible film, providing the franchise with a sense of closure even as new characters like Grace and Theo Degas signal evolution within the IMF ranks.
These cast changes mirror shifts in the series’ tone and priorities, moving toward an era where younger agents and leading women play larger roles alongside established veterans. The evolving relationships and dynamics contribute to the passionate energy running through the film and its promotional campaign.
Release, reception, and what’s next
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is now playing in UK cinemas, drawing eager fans and curious newcomers. With the focus keyword,
“Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt in Mission Impossible,”
on everyone’s lips, the film’s impact on the spy-action genre is under intense public and critical scrutiny.
The movie sets the stage for an epic farewell to a character and actor who defined the modern action blockbuster, while its strong supporting cast opens the door for possible future spin-offs or franchise evolutions. The significance of this installment goes beyond its action sequences, as it both honors and reimagines the legacy of Ethan Hunt, delivering on the series’ themes of trust, redemption, and the value of teamwork in the face of world-shaking threats.
As audiences experience the high-octane adventure, questions linger about the future of the series. Will new heroes emerge to fill Hunt’s shoes, or does this truly mark the end of a cinematic era? For now, Tom Cruise’s last performance as Ethan Hunt cements his place in Hollywood history and ensures that the Mission: Impossible legacy remains alive in pop culture memory.
