Why Fans Are Furious About Ilsa Faust’s Underwhelming Death in Mission: Impossible 8

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I was really let down that the movie “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” didn’t give Ilsa Faust’s death more significance. Upon viewing the film, it seems that the plot changed quite a bit due to the poor box office reception of “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning” in 2023. Consequently, several storylines established in “Dead Reckoning” don’t get proper resolution in this latest installment of the spy series. It’s unfortunate because Ilsa Faust’s death in “Dead Reckoning” doesn’t seem to have any real effect on the narrative of “The Final Reckoning”.

Impossible – The Final Reckoning has been generally favorable. Critic Mary Kassel from Ebaster gave it an 8 out of 10. However, even two years later, fans are still upset about Rebecca Ferguson’s character, Ilsa Faust, having a seemingly weak demise in Dead Reckoning. Intriguingly, some fan theories suggest that Ilsa appears at the end of The Final Reckoning. I personally don’t believe this theory to be accurate, which makes it all the more disheartening that Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning seemingly overlooks the character of Ilsa Faust entirely.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning Mostly Ignores Ilsa’s Death

Ilsa Isn’t Mentioned in The Final Reckoning

Approximately midway through “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning,” Ilsa tragically perishes during a duel with Gabriel. Given that she’s been a key figure in Ethan’s team since the 2015 film, “Rogue Nation,” her demise is one of the most impactful deaths in the series. In “Dead Reckoning,” her passing serves to underscore the impact of Ethan’s actions on those he cares for deeply, a theme also touched upon in “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.

In the latest Mission: Impossible film, titled “The Final Reckoning,” it’s surprising that no one seems to mention Ilsa Faust, given that the events of this movie follow directly after those of “Dead Reckoning.” Since Ethan Hunt and his team are still reeling from the loss of Ilsa, I would have expected them to show some signs of grief in this new film. However, it appears that they are fully engrossed in their battle against the Entity, with no apparent acknowledgment of Ilsa’s importance to them. Although I understand that their focus is diverted by the Entity, it would have been nice if they at least paid tribute to the significant role Ilsa played in their lives.

Dead Reckoning & The Final Reckoning Failed To Show The Impact Of Ilsa’s Death

Ilsa’s Death In Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Is Underwhelming

Apart from being among his closest confidants, “Dead Reckoning” subtly suggested a possible romantic bond between Ethan and Ilsa. I admire the delicacy in portraying their potential romance, however, it would have been impactful if both “Dead Reckoning” and “The Final Reckoning” had displayed Cruise’s character’s profound grief following her demise. While Ethan might exhibit uncharacteristic anger at the end of “Dead Reckoning”, this is essentially his sole response to Ilsa’s death.

In “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” it’s noticeable that Ethan doesn’t bring up Ilsa when he meets Gabriel again, although their history is significant. It seems Ethan aims to prevent Gabriel, played by Esai Morales, from gaining control over the Entity and achieving world dominance. However, the audience might expect a stronger personal motivation for Ethan, given that Gabriel was responsible for Ilsa’s death. Ideally, his quest for revenge in The Final Reckoning would have been more apparent, but it isn’t as explicit as one might assume.

The Final Reckoning Cut A Storyline That May Have Enhanced Ilsa’s Death Storyline

The Final Reckoning Ignores A Major Moment In Ethan’s Past

Revisiting the point that the narrative of “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” was altered following the release of “Dead Reckoning”, it’s evident that this revision influenced the lasting resonance of Ilsa’s demise. Originally, the previous Mission: Impossible film drew a comparison between Ilsa and Marie, a woman Ethan deeply cared for who met her end at the hands of Gabriel prior to his enlistment in the IMF. Regrettably, Marie’s storyline was omitted from “The Final Reckoning”, thereby leaving significant aspects of Ethan and Gabriel’s past unexplored and shrouded in mystery.

In “The Final Reckoning,” if the writers had continued to develop Ilsa’s storyline following her death, it would have made her demise more profound and memorable. Regrettably, they chose not to address either Marie or Ilsa in the film at all. This choice undermines Ilsa’s significance within the franchise, which is unfortunate given that she should be a key character. Thus, I was deeply disillusioned by how “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” handled Ilsa’s death aftermath.

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2025-06-06 19:19