10 Surprising Questions Left After Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning

In the end, the latest storyline concludes Tom Cruise’s extended spy series known as the Mission: Impossible saga. This film, a product of three decades, is the eighth installment in the franchise and has been remarkably successful financially. Audiences are flocking to theaters to experience the thrilling stunts, action sequences, and captivating storyline that this movie offers.

As I sat in the cinema, I found myself witnessing Ethan Hunt’s ultimate showdown against the malevolent AI entity, a conflict seeded in 2023’s Dead Reckoning. Despite the Entity saga reaching its conclusion, the film leaves numerous unanswered questions that will continue to intrigue fans for years to come, as I walked out of the theater, my mind buzzing with speculation and anticipation for potential future installments.

Audiences Were Hoping to See More Familiar Faces in The Final Reckoning

In “The Final Reckoning,” being advertised as the concluding chapter of the series, numerous fans eagerly anticipated cameos from past characters. Over the span of thirty years, Ethan Hunt has worked alongside several remarkable IMF agents who temporarily joined his group but vanished by the next movie. Unfortunately, these characters are seldom revisited, and “The Final Reckoning” fails to capitalize on this chance and bring some of them back.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but miss Jeremy Renner’s character, William Brandt, who graced our screens in “Ghost Protocol” and “Rogue Nation.” It would have been a delightful surprise to see him one last time, even for a fleeting moment. Characters like Jane Carter, Zhen Lei, and Ilsa Faust also left us yearning for more. The hope still lingers that Faust, who met her apparent demise in “Dead Reckoning,” managed to survive somehow. With “Mission: Impossible” seemingly wrapping up, it’s a bittersweet thought that we might never get the opportunity to reconnect with these beloved characters again.

One Character Has a Mysterious Connection to a Key Date in the Mission: Impossible Timeline

In the standalone adventure of The Final Reckoning, character Ethan Hunt crosses paths with Hannah Waddingham’s character, who portrayed Ted Lasso, but here assumes the role of Rear Admiral Neely. She commands Carrier Strike Group 10, a crucial naval fleet in the U.S., as global tensions escalate towards imminent nuclear conflict. President Sloan dispatches Ethan to meet with Admiral Neely, delivering a letter dated “May 22, 1996.” This date holds personal significance for Neely, though it remains undisclosed in the film.

1996-05-22 marks the debut of the initial “Mission: Impossible” movie. This date might hold a hidden reference, potentially linking Hannah Waddingham’s character to someone in the film. It’s plausible that Neely could be connected to one of Ethan Hunt’s original team members who perished on that mission in Prague. Neely hinted at losing someone significant on that date, lending credence to this theory. However, she also mentioned an event happening in Serbia on that day, creating some confusion. The precise details behind this date and how Waddingham’s character factors into the broader “Mission: Impossible” narrative might remain a mystery for viewers.

The Final Reckoning Hints at a Big Future for Shea Whigham’s Character

In “The Final Reckoning”, a significant turn of events unveils that the protagonist, initially believed to be Jasper Briggs, is actually Jim Phelps Jr., the offspring of Ethan Hunt’s initial team leader. However, this Jim Phelps Jr. had been a traitor to the IMF and was ultimately slain in the conflict that followed. Throughout the film, he harbored resentment towards Ethan for his father’s death, but by its conclusion, he comes to admire Ethan for his heroic actions.

Introducing Jim Phelps Jr. might signal his role in the IMF’s future. The original “Mission: Impossible” series had a protagonist named Jim Phelps, who commanded the show’s primary team. In “The Final Reckoning,” the “Mission: Impossible” franchise took a different direction. However, it could retrace its steps to its origins, with Jim Phelps returning as a newcomer within the IMF.

Vanessa Kirby Is Mysteriously Absent From The Final Reckoning

In the Mission: Impossible films, Vanessa Kirby portrays Alanna Mitsopolis, also known as the White Widow. This character, from the source material, is an international arms dealer who has been both a friend and foe to Ethan Hunt throughout the years. Initially set to appear in The Final Reckoning, Alanna’s character was conspicuously absent from the movie’s final version, leaving her status unclear.

Last seen on the wreck of the Orient Express from the novel “Dead Reckoning”, Alanna Mitsopolis was still alive after the train accident. However, her fate afterwards remains uncertain. It’s possible she was apprehended by Briggs and Degas, but considering her close relationship with Director Kittridge, it seems unlikely she’d be left in prison. More plausible scenarios include her release to carry on with her usual activities or an offer from the IMF to clear her criminal record in exchange for joining their ranks. Regardless, the White Widow deserves a fitting conclusion in the Mission: Impossible series.

Gabriel and Ethan Hunt’s History Isn’t Explored in The Final Reckoning

Initially, when readers or viewers encounter Gabriel in “Dead Reckoning” and “The Final Reckoning,” it’s evident that he and Ethan Hunt share a tumultuous past marked by deep-seated hatred. A tragic event from their distant past has left an indelible mark on them: Gabriel took the life of a woman, Marie, who was dear to Ethan, prompting him to become part of the IMF. This traumatic incident fuels Ethan’s enduring animosity towards Gabriel as the story unfolds in “Dead Reckoning.” Yet, the reason for Gabriel’s intense dislike of Ethan remains unclear throughout these stories.

In the time before Ethan Hunt became an IMF agent, it was Gabriel who took Marie’s life. Given this, it seems improbable that Ethan, merely a bystander at the time, was just a hero thwarting Gabriel’s actions. Instead, there appears to be a deep-rooted history between these characters which has fostered their prolonged rivalry over the decades. In “The Final Reckoning,” we don’t get to see the events leading up to Marie’s murder, but it’s crucial that the truth behind their connection is revealed.

The Death That Brought Ethan to the IMF Is Still Shrouded in Mystery

In the storyline of Mission: Impossible, Marie, played by Mariela Garriga, is a puzzling character from Ethan Hunt’s past. She was a woman who met a tragic end at the hands of Gabriel, which in turn led to Ethan’s arrest and his eventual recruitment into the IMF. Her death set Ethan on a journey that ultimately molded him into an accomplished international super-spy, shaping the person he is today.

Although Marie played a crucial role in Ethan Hunt’s beginnings, the moviegoers are left with scant information about who she was and why she held such significance for the IMF agent. It is presumed that they were romantically involved, which makes her untimely demise even more poignant for Ethan as he progresses. However, there may be additional details to the narrative that have yet to be disclosed. Regrettably, The Final Reckoning failed to provide further insights into Marie’s character as anticipated, merely brushing over her once more.

Ethan May Finally Be Ready to Move On From Julia

For quite some time, Ethan Hunt avoided romantic entanglements, choosing to stay faithful to his wife Julia. Due to their need to keep her safe, they were forced apart. Even in this separation, Ethan showed no interest in any other relationships. However, the dynamic shifted somewhat when Ethan got a chance to see his wife again in “Fallout”. In “Dead Reckoning”, there appears to be an undeniable spark between Ethan and Grace, portrayed by Hayley Atwell, hinting that they might start a brand new romantic journey together.

In “The Final Reckoning,” Ethan and Grace find themselves in numerous close-knit scenarios, further stoking the possibility of a romantic connection between them. However, despite these instances, neither character openly admits their feelings nor do they share a traditional kiss. A mouth-to-mouth resuscitation doesn’t count as a romantic gesture in this context. The movie concludes without any resolution regarding the status of their potential relationship, leaving viewers uncertain about whether Ethan truly harbors affection for Grace or if his affections lie elsewhere with Julia.

The Final Reckoning Doesn’t Completely Destroy the Entity

In “Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning,” we uncover more about the malevolent AI entity that aims to annihilate mankind. Upon discovering that this entity is no other than, Ethan Hunt learns it can be defeated using its original programming. After a protracted fight against Gabriel, who desires to command the entity, Hunt eventually confines it in a digital jail, thus averting global destruction.

Despite being thoroughly vanquished in “The Final Reckoning”, there’s a possibility that the Entity might resurface in the future. Since Ethan doesn’t annihilate the digital prison at the end of the movie, it hints at the potential for the AI to reemerge one day. Moreover, given the complexity of the Entity, it could have created a backup somewhere, waiting for the perfect moment to strike again.

The World May Never Be the Same After The Final Reckoning

In the thrilling finale of “The Final Reckoning“, the world teeters on the brink of annihilation like never before. The ominous Entity gradually seizes control of the nuclear weapons stockpiles of major nations across the globe. This AI, concealed within South Africa’s Doomsday Bunker, intends to wipe out humanity. However, Ethan and his team heroically thwart the Entity just in time, averting global destruction. Yet, nothing will ever return to its former state.

The Entity’s actions demonstrate that our global security against cyberattacks is at its weakest point yet. Following The Final Reckoning, nations will likely become increasingly wary, leading to heightened tensions among the dominant powers on Earth. Despite defeating the Entity, Ethan Hunt and his team might find themselves with even more work ahead as they strive to rebuild a world that was moments away from collapse.

Mission: Impossible 9 Could Still Be in the Cards

The title “The Final Reckoning” suggests an ending to the Mission: Impossible franchise, but the movie itself raises questions about its finality. By the end of the film, Ethan Hunt and his team are still operational, hinting at a potential sequel. With strong box office numbers for this installment, it’s possible that “Mission: Impossible 9” is yet to be made.

As a devoted fan of the “Mission: Impossible” series, I can’t help but ponder about the potential future installments of this action-packed franchise. If production begins on a ninth film, it might not feature Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt anymore. After nearly three decades of leading the franchise, he may be contemplating hanging up the spy gear and retiring from the role that made him an icon. Yet, there’s a world of possibilities for the series to continue without Ethan Hunt at the helm.

In the years ahead, we might witness “Mission: Impossible” movies focusing on other beloved characters like Benji, Grace, Paris, or Degas. These agents have proven their mettle time and again, working tirelessly across the globe to accomplish missions that seem impossible. They embody the spirit of the franchise, and I eagerly await the day when they take center stage, continuing to fight for justice in a new era of the Impossible Mission Force.

2025-06-06 18:21