Premiere - Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning: Hollywood Heroics and Heartfelt Farewells on the Riviera

By Mulder, Cannes, Palais des festivals, 14 may 2025

If there's one thing Cannes knows how to do, it's put on a show, and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning did it in a way that only Tom Cruise could imagine. On May 14, 2025, the 78th Cannes Film Festival was transformed into a high-octane arena for the world premiere of what could well be Ethan Hunt's final mission. But if this really is the final farewell, it's a send-off worthy of legends. From the breathtaking musical prelude on the red carpet by French beatbox champions Berywam to the majestic orchestral tribute and thunderous standing ovation inside the Palais, the premiere was less a film screening than a cinematic ritual. Tom Cruise, now 62, arrived alongside director Christopher McQuarrie and a star-studded cast, reminding us once again that no one, absolutely no one, can rival this Hollywood titan.

From the moment Berywam opened the evening with a spine-tingling vocal rendition of Lalo Schifrin's iconic Mission: Impossible theme, it was clear that this was not just a movie premiere, but a temple of pop culture history. The red carpet was electric. French TikTok stars like Michou mingled with Hollywood actresses like Zoe Saldaña and Eva Longoria, while Mosimann closed the musical tribute with an electrifying remix of the saga's anthem. Cannes embraced the past, present, and future of big-screen cinema. But all the glitz and glamour was just the opening act. Inside, the 40-piece philharmonic orchestra played the theme live as guests took their seats, paying solemn tribute to a saga that began nearly 30 years ago and has grossed billions worldwide. Then, silence fell. The lights dimmed. And for nearly three hours, the fate of Ethan Hunt played out in one of the most daring and spectacular scenes in the entire franchise.

The film wastes no time picking up where Dead Reckoning – Part One left off. The antagonist this time around? A rogue AI simply called The Entity, a villain who never sleeps, feels nothing, and is terrifyingly plausible in today's digital age. Ethan Hunt's mission to stop him takes him across continents, through icy waters, dense jungles, and to dizzying heights. Tom Cruise, known for performing his own stunts, takes his commitment to masochistic extremes here. One of the film's most breathtaking moments shows him fighting an opponent wearing only black boxer shorts in a knife fight in a submarine. If that's not commitment, what is? In another scene, he literally walks on the wings of a vintage biplane in mid-flight over the tropical forests of South Africa, a sequence that Christopher McQuarrie has acknowledged as the most difficult of his career. In Cannes, Tom Cruise told reporters with a smile, “I just wanted to do something that had never been done before. I wanted the extreme.” Mission accomplished.

Behind the thrilling action, however, lies an emotional resonance that sets this installment apart. It's not just a rollercoaster ride, it's a farewell tour. The film pays tribute to longtime allies like Benji (Simon Pegg) and Luther (Ving Rhames), as well as new faces like Grace (Hayley Atwell) and Paris (Pom Klementieff), while weaving in nostalgic nods to previous chapters. The nearly three-hour runtime may have tested the endurance of some Cannes viewers (some reportedly left before the final act), but for most, the emotional payoff was well worth it. Overwhelmed by the five-minute ovation that followed the screening, Tom Cruise clutched his heart in his hands and shared a moving moment with Christopher McQuarrie, thanking the actors and reflecting on their journey. “We do this for you,” Christopher McQuarrie told the crowd. “This movie was made during a pandemic and two strikes. These people gave everything. This is the most extraordinary cast in the world.” There wasn't a dry eye or a still hand in the room.

The journey to Cannes didn't begin in France. Last April, The Final Reckoning caused a sensation at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, where Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie previewed a breathtaking sequence from the film. In a room full of industry professionals, Tom Cruise spoke openly about the emotional toll of this chapter. It wasn't just about raising the bar for stunts (although that's undeniable), but also about bringing closure to a character who has meant so much to so many people. The footage shown featured the now iconic biplane stunt, which visibly shook the audience. One viewer even admitted to nearly having a heart attack. This visceral reaction sums up what makes this franchise so unique. It's not just the spectacle. It's the raw, tangible sense of danger and the soul behind the chaos.

In many ways, The Final Reckoning seems to be the culmination not only of a story, but also of a philosophy. It's about pushing boundaries, taking risks, and embracing imperfection. Christopher McQuarrie, who has directed four Mission: Impossible films, said this one was different. “Every decision had weight,” he confessed. That weight is palpable on screen, from the scale of the sets to the quiet moments when Hunt reflects on the consequences of his choices. The tagline “Our lives are the sum of our choices” isn't just poetic license, it's a thread that anchors the chaos. And Cruise, as always, is the perfect vehicle for this message. There's something deeply moving about seeing him fight not only for the world, but also for a legacy.

Of course, the big question now is: what's next? Although the film is titled The Final Reckoning, there is no official confirmation that this is the end. Tom Cruise himself has not ruled out a ninth film, and Christopher McQuarrie has hinted at further collaborations. What is clear, however, is that this film marks the end of an era. With its globe-trotting story, cast of franchise veterans and newcomers (Hannah Waddingham and Nick Offerman), and a narrative that is both urgent and nostalgic, this film is much more than just another Mission: Impossible. It's a love letter to cinema, storytelling, and the joy of watching a suicidal man jump off a cliff because he believes in the magic of movies.

It remains to be seen whether it will match the box office success of Top Gun: Maverick. The 2022 Cannes premiere will remain legendary, with fighter jets flying over the Croisette and Tom Cruise receiving an honorary Palme d'Or. But even if The Final Reckoning doesn't fly as high, it still soars in people's minds. And that may be the greatest victory of all. In an era dominated by special effects-laden spectacles and disposable franchises, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning dares to be personal, pragmatic, and deeply human. As the credits rolled in Cannes, you could feel it, not just in the applause, but in the recognition that we were witnessing something rare: the end of a journey that mattered. And so, as the curtain falls (perhaps), one truth remains. Ethan Hunt may be done running. But Tom Cruise? He's just getting started.

You can discover our photos on the red carpet in our Flickr page

Synopsis : 
Our lives are the sum of our choices. Tom Cruise is Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Directed by Christopher McQuarrie
Written by Christopher McQuarrie, Erik Jendresen
Based on Mission: Impossible by Bruce Geller
Produced by Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie
Starring  Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Henry Czerny, Angela Bassett
Cinematography : Fraser Taggart
Edited by Eddie Hamilton
Music by Max Aruj, Alfie Godfrey
Production companies : Skydance Media, TC Productions
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release dates : May 6 , 2025 (Tokyo), May 14, 2025 (Cannes), May 23, 2025 (United States)
Running time : 169 minutes

Photos : @fannyrlphotography