Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning: Complete Actor and Character Guide

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning has just hit theaters, and frankly, the cast is huge. We’re talking about the last – perhaps – chapter of the saga, where Ethan Hunt and his team must put an end to the Entity, this AI that wants to wipe out humanity. In short, it’s the grand finale, and it needed some serious firepower to go with it.

Ethan Hunt: The Return of the Aging but Indestructible Hero

Tom Cruise reprises his role as Ethan Hunt, a role he’s held since 1996. At this point, it’s his most iconic character, along with Top Gun and a few others. In The Final Reckoning, Hunt is more determined than ever, but you can feel the weariness—the character’s, not the actor’s, mind you. Cruise still delivers some insane stunts, but the script takes the time to show a hero who doubts himself, who calculates. And that’s cool.

The film picks up right after Dead Reckoning, so there’s no downtime. Ethan is being hunted, but he has a plan. Obviously.

The loyal members of the IMF team: Benji, Luther and Grace

Simon Pegg reprises his role as Benji Dunn, the endearing geek we’ve known for ages. He brings a touch of levity to this morass of AI and conspiracies. You might recognize him from Shaun of the Dead or Star Trek, but here, he’s the buddy who runs the machines – and who complains a lot.

Alongside him, Ving Rhames once again portrays Luther Stickell, the master coder. He’s a pillar of the franchise and plays a significant role in the story. Finally, Hayley Atwell reprises her role as Grace, the thief from Dead Reckoning. She’s more integrated into the team now, and her troubled past resurfaces. Atwell is also known as Peggy Carter in the MCU, but here she takes risks and performs stunts.

The villains and the ambiguities: Gabriel, Paris and others

Esai Morales plays Gabriel, a loyal follower of the Entity who wants to take complete control of the AI. He also has a history with Ethan, which makes things personal. You might have seen Morales in NYPD Blue or How to Get Away with Murder, and he’s a master of the calculating villain.

On the other side, Pom Klementieff reprises her role as Paris, the assassin Ethan spared in Dead Reckoning. She switches sides, but we’re wary. Klementieff is Mantis from Guardians of the Galaxy, and she adds a real physical dimension to the role. Her fight scenes are breathtaking.

And then there are the newcomers, like Shea Whigham as Briggs, a government agent who has it in for Ethan. You might know Whigham from American Primeval or Perry Mason, and he has that perfect, unsympathetic look. His co-star Greg Tarzan Davis (seen in Top Gun: Maverick) plays Degas, a more indecisive agent. Their duo brings a nice tension.

As for Henry Czerny, he returns as Kittridge, the head of the IMF. He has been there since the first film, and in this installment, he plays a key role – not a villain, but not an ally either.

Politicians and the military: heavy hitters in the cast

Angela Bassett reprises her role as Erika Sloane, but this time she’s become President of the United States. Bassett is a legend (Black Panther, American Horror Story), and she brings a natural authority to the role. In the war room, we find Holt McCallany (seen in Mindhunter) as Serling, Janet McTeer as Walters, and Nick Offerman—yes, Ron Swanson himself—as General Sidney. Offerman is always a pleasure, especially when he’s playing the tough guy.

And then there’s Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso, Game of Thrones) as Admiral Neely, an old friend of the president who agrees to help Ethan. And Tramell Tillman (Severance) as Captain Bledsoe, who commands a submarine crucial to the operation. Everyone has their role, and the cast is so strong that you almost forget about the plot.

In short, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning boasts a cast that blends veterans of the saga with more recent talent. If you enjoy action films with substance, or just want to see Tom Cruise leap off something, you’ll be satisfied.