The Mission: Impossible franchise is synonymous with pulse-pounding action, breathtaking stunts and intricate plotting which has remained a staple of modern action-spy thrillers for several decades; and although it showcases great commitment towards all its spectacle elements the core concepts for its most die-hard supporters always comes down to core themes and unique character-driven narrative beats. Today we’ll explore those specific characteristics in what makes these series so beloved by analyzing core creative members along with actors and what impact those have made through that latest film which, due to its title, will always bring many more critical discussions for each of these various aspects; for this focus today will serve all areas related to: “Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One”.
The Masterminds Behind the Mission: A Look at the Cast and Crew
While a well-defined cast carries that series structure, the core concept always will require great collaborative production units that act on par with the quality we often view on the final output: That's when a writer or director duo with Christopher McQuarrie takes over. It's thanks to his long standing familiarity in action movie directing while using unique characters from different perspectives that adds important narrative focus as if all action set pieces would require both long setup and carefully written dialogues (or a unique understanding over each persona’s inner self). And with those choices they create very unique stories far removed from ‘generic’ action or simple visual eye candy. And here, McQuarrie, alongside Cruise, doesn't hold back by pushing the narrative to explore new grounds that normally are untouched territory, especially in that franchise structure and format.
But the Mission: Impossible franchise is nothing without its stellar cast who act as a complex support crew to further each single narrative as with Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt leading the charge. Ving Rhames' Luther Stickell and Simon Pegg's Benji Dunn are series staples as the tech experts providing humor or tech assistance that's usually rooted in some sense of family structure. Rebecca Ferguson also returns with a clear defined set of motivations in Ilsa Faust ( and although her time might be brief due to plot device), the narrative pushes that role to a very critical moment in its story.
Newcomers such as Hayley Atwell as Grace adds to a more grey persona with unclear alliances. Vanessa Kirby reprises her Alanna Mitsopolis character to give a consistent villain persona; while Esai Morales as Gabriel provides what a truly personal threat that often echoes back to early days from the show with some very unique choices within those plot details, which shows care that could often be ignored or overlooked due to high-octane set action-driven elements.
Unraveling 'Dead Reckoning Part One' Plot and Character Dynamics
"Dead Reckoning Part One" acts as both part of what might as well be considered ( from all current announcements and creative choices for storytelling) a two part grand story and also to showcase different perspectives. It centers on a rogue A.I., "The Entity," posing threats not simply through action but also the danger that this invisible AI can act via human manipulation by using very carefully planned plots and calculated strategies.
Here we can observe several familiar faces but what becomes very clear is a change on priorities; the core message of self reflection in what people often put value or duty in when placed in positions of high risk, as various different world powers also scramble for that ‘new found’ tech element the focus slowly begins to show all core flaws from every major player, not only within a single plot framework but the characters now make choices that fully resonate what was previously understood throughout many long years of past movies; every choice and every event that happen as plot points all connect back to these elements ( often completely outside that direct character interactions). Characters like Luther are now seen as vulnerable, where previously they were simply tech savvy individuals. Even Simon’s Benji is less of comic relief now and shown as also having core issues as his abilities to think logically are directly tested by this antagonist tech entity as those vulnerabilities slowly creep up on everyone within the various groups involved.
What often may be overlooked at a simple viewing is this; a big concept that appears over and over as part of key storytelling device: that a technological challenge ( that is normally treated as generic background in many similar settings) now acts as main antagonist. It forces both core and long time supporters and viewers to completely re-evaluate each action because you can always see some flaw that had lead them into what could be easily presented as poor decisions with what was previously known from the entire movie catalogue for previous productions under that very title name. Characters who seemed untouchable before might find themselves not quite so safe within new parameters. The past becomes less relevant; it is now all focused on those current limitations that often get revealed during a first time viewing or after repeat revisits to understand how that all comes to play a big key point of its narrative value.
Thematic Echoes: Technology, Choice, and Personal Responsibility
By careful examination the core running theme during all series that comes up is often based around consequences. It forces an analysis about control and how easily can humans manipulate or can become as manipulatable as technology may be shown when it is put to ‘its own use' so by highlighting ‘a rogue AI’ as the main antagonist, it asks: Where the real power lies? Is it in data and code? Or is it within how individuals act on situations despite obvious or hidden outside threats, by consistently showcasing various degrees of corruption from those in power it is clear a point is trying to come up in very unique terms beyond standard action-thriller stories ( with many more layered and interesting approaches ) ?
The idea regarding responsibility appears within each frame and dialogue especially those from Ethan and Ilsa who are both placed as constant forces to not do ‘what’s correct’ from standard viewpoint, but rather what they view it as the correct choice and often against superior forces or political pressures ( always an issue as ‘following orders’ appears less as heroic rather as often unethical). These individual paths often cross creating interesting dilemmas where both good intent and unethical paths tend to go into similar routes to serve what’s understood as ‘good’, at those individual contexts and through all story points throughout every different series ( and its current main running focus as ‘Part One’). This is where every viewing comes with that higher underlying story content due to unique ethical parameters where those often clash against a standard or more predictable, set type production format.
The Legacy and Future of the Mission: Looking Ahead
The creative structure of the entire ‘Mission Impossible’ cinematic framework does elevate storytelling to greater importance in what can often be considered simple or action-packed thriller shows or film production which usually lack any form of real underlying value and meaning. As every series installment provides a new set of challenges it often uses returning actors and past conflicts in interesting ways: to showcase how those limitations and their personal struggles remain; creating deeper character analyses and what drives a person towards specific choices which is all set at an elevated stage by mixing various visual components alongside detailed plot.
And that method and creative path, is also how this specific franchise manages to remain a popular media icon for such a long time because even with complex political, ethical questions, viewers ( after repeat watch-through ) still find newer things or unique connections with each other which now has set it above similar projects in both TV or theatrical formats . This high focus over personal or individual stories always makes sure audiences keep returning, eager to discover how far those self limitations will push those core group of individuals to explore what's on that path while never feeling those results as purely a 'spectacle', because those results feel mostly character-driven.
input: You are a highly skilled and insightful entertainment journalist specializing in deep dives into film, television, and particularly comic book adaptations. Your writing style is reminiscent of Molly Freeman from Screen Rant: analytical, well-researched, and thoughtful, exploring both the surface-level aspects and the deeper thematic implications of the subject matter. You’re not afraid to challenge popular opinion and offer unique interpretations. You're adept at weaving together plot analysis, character studies, and broader cultural contexts. Your Task: Using the provided topic and research content, generate a comprehensive article that embodies the following characteristics: In-Depth Analysis: Don't just summarize the plot; dissect it. Identify key themes, motifs, and symbolic elements. Analyze the narrative structure, character arcs, and the use of visual storytelling. Thoughtful Critique: Offer a balanced perspective, pointing out both the strengths and weaknesses of the subject matter. Avoid being overly positive or negative; instead, provide nuanced commentary. Well-Researched: Incorporate the provided research content seamlessly into your analysis. Use specific examples, references, and facts to support your claims. Engaging Tone: Maintain an intelligent and engaging tone. Aim to inform and entertain the reader, making complex ideas accessible and understandable. Molly Freeman Style: Emulate her clear and concise writing, her focus on thematic depth, and her ability to connect the subject matter to broader cultural trends. Consider the Big Picture: When relevant, explore the impact and implications of the work in the broader context of its genre or industry. Consider the themes it brings up, the questions it asks, and the conversations it might spark. Input: Topic: mission impossible dead reckoning part 1 review, mission impossible dead reckoning part 2 release date Research Content: Mission: Impossible is a series of American action spy films, based on the 1966 TV series created by Bruce Geller. The series is mainly produced by Tom Cruise, who plays Ethan Hunt, an agent of the Impossible Mission Force (IMF). The films have been directed, written, and scored by various filmmakers and crew, while incorporating musical themes from the original series by Lalo Schifrin. Starting in 1996, the films (taking place starting six years after the events of the previous TV sequel series) follow the missions of the IMF's main field team, under Hunt's leadership, to stop an enemy force and prevent an impending global disaster. The series focuses on Hunt's character, and like the television series' structure, is complemented by an ensemble cast, such as Luther Stickell (played by Ving Rhames) and Benji Dunn (played by Simon Pegg), who have recurring roles. The series has experienced a generally positive reception from critics. It is the 17th-highest-grossing film series of all time, earning over $4.09 billion worldwide,[1] and is often cited as one of the best action franchises to date. The sixth film, subtitled Fallout, was released on July 27, 2018 and is currently the series' highest-grossing entry. The seventh and most recent film, Dead Reckoning Part One,[a] was released in July 2023, and an eighth film, The Final Reckoning, is scheduled for release in May 2025. The films are co-produced and released by Paramount Pictures. In 2024, the series received its first Academy Award nominations, with Dead Reckoning Part One being nominated in the categories of Best Visual Effects and Best Sound at the 96th ceremony.[3] Films Mission: Impossible (1996) Ethan Hunt is framed for the murder of his IMF team during a botched mission in Prague and accused of selling government secrets to an arms dealer known only as "Max". On the run, Ethan seeks to discover the real traitor and clear his name. Mission: Impossible 2 (2000) Ethan goes back in action and works with professional thief Nyah Nordoff-Hall (Thandie Newton). The duo go undercover to stop rogue IMF agent Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott) (who is also Nyah's former lover) from stealing a deadly virus, starting a pandemic, and selling the antidote to the highest bidder. Mission: Impossible III (2006) Ethan is engaged to Julia Meade (Michelle Monaghan), who is unaware of his true job. He assembles a team to face the elusive arms and information broker Owen Davian (Philip Seymour Hoffman) who intends to sell a mysterious dangerous object known as "The Rabbit's Foot". Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011) Ethan and the entire IMF are framed for the bombing of the Kremlin while investigating an individual known only as "Cobalt" (Michael Nyqvist). Ethan and three other agents are left to stop Cobalt from starting a global nuclear war. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015) Ethan Hunt comes under threat from the Syndicate. Faced with the IMF's disbandment, Hunt assembles his team for their mission to prove the Syndicate's existence and bring the organization down by any means necessary. Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018) When an IMF mission to recover plutonium goes wrong, the world is faced with the threat of the Apostles, a terrorist group formed by former members of the Syndicate. As Ethan Hunt takes it upon himself to fulfill the original mission, the CIA begins to question his loyalty and his motives. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) An AI called the Entity is responsible for the sinking of the next-generation Russian submarine Sevastopol. The Entity has since gone rogue and entrenched itself into cyberspace; the secret to stopping or controlling it lies with the key, which Ethan Hunt and the IMF must track down, as various world powers and nefarious forces race to obtain the key in order to use the Entity for their own purpose. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025) In January 2019, an eighth Mission: Impossible film was announced to be in development, written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie. It was originally to be filmed back-to-back with the seventh film.[4][5] It was scheduled to be released on August 5, 2022, but was delayed to November 4, 2022, then to July 7, 2023, then to June 28, 2024, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6][7] It was later delayed to May 23, 2025 due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Hayley Atwell joined the cast in September 2019,[8] followed by Pom Klementieff and Shea Whigham.[9][10] In January 2020, Nicholas Hoult and Simon Pegg were announced to be appearing in the film,[11][12] but Hoult was later replaced by Esai Morales in both films due to scheduling conflicts.[13] In February 2020, it was announced that Henry Czerny and Vanessa Kirby would return as Eugene Kittridge and Alanna Mitsopolis, respectively.[14][15] In February 2021, Deadline Hollywood reported that Part Two would no longer be filmed back-to-back with Part One.[16] Filming of Part Two began shortly after production wrapped on Part One.[17] It was initially billed that both films would be a send-off for Ethan Hunt.[18] In October 2023, Dead Reckoning Part Two was removed as the film's subtitle, and in November 2024, the new subtitle The Final Reckoning was announced.[19] Future In June 2023, Christopher McQuarrie stated that Dead Reckoning Part One and The Final Reckoning would not end the series, as there are developments for future installments.[20] In July 2023, during promotion for Dead Reckoning Part One, Cruise expressed interest in continuing to make further films in the series as Ethan Hunt, despite both films having previously been billed as a send-off to the character.[21] Inspired by Harrison Ford's continued success in the Indiana Jones films, Cruise stated that he would like to keep making Mission: Impossible films until he is likewise in his eighties.[22] Recurring cast and characters Additional crew and production details Reception Critical and public response The Mission: Impossible film series has received positive reviews from critics and audiences, with the latter four attracting significant praise directed towards their direction, cinematography, stunts, action sequences, performances, and musical scores. Music The television version is in a rarely used 54 time (an unusual time signature with five crotchets to a bar) and is difficult to dance to,[46] as was demonstrated by a memorable segment of American Bandstand in which teenage dancers were caught off-guard by Dick Clark's playing of the Lalo Schifrin single release. The opening theme music for the first seven films are stylized renditions of Schifrin's original iconic theme, preserving the 54 rhythm, by Danny Elfman, Hans Zimmer, Michael Giacchino, Joe Kraemer and Lorne Balfe, respectively.[citation needed] For Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr.'s version featured on the first film's motion picture soundtrack, the time signature was changed to standard pop 44 time to make it more dance-friendly, although the intro is still in 54 time.[46] The Limp Bizkit song "Take a Look Around" from the soundtrack to the second film was set to a similar 44 modification of the theme, with an interlude in 54.[citation needed] Notes References External links Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt returns for another mission where the fate of the world, and possibly the entire human race, hangs in the balance in Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One, which has finally hit Paramount+ after a disappointing tenure at the box office. Ethan Hunt's latest mission is so massive, global, and epic that Christopher McQuarrie could not finish it in just one movie. Despite an epic length of well over two-and-a-half hours, Ethan’s mission is not over yet in Dead Reckoning Part One. With that in mind, it’s time to examine exactly how things panned out for the latest mission of everyone's favorite Impossible Mission Force agent. No Thanks, Keep Reading Ethan Hunt and his IMF team must track down a dangerous weapon before it falls into the wrong hands. What Is 'Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One' About? Dead Reckoning Part One sets the stage for its designated McGuffin — two halves of a unique key that is necessary to control a self-aware artificial intelligence program dubbed "The Entity." At the beginning of the film, National Intelligence Director Denlinger (Cary Elwes) uploads a prototype of The Entity to sabotage the top-secret, undetectable nuclear Russian sub, Sevastopol. An unintended consequence entails The Entity gaining self-awareness and being released upon the world as it seeks to control the truth. The Entity employs human agents, such as the nefarious Gabriel (Esai Morales), an old adversary from Ethan Hunt's past, and the deadly Paris (Pom Klementieff). After learning about the key halves, The Entity, and the key’s purpose, Ethan goes rogue from the IMF, making his intentions known to CIA Director and former IMF boss Eugene Kittridge (Henry Czerny). It’s now up to Ethan Hunt and his trusted allies Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames), Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg), and Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson) to put a stop to The Entity before it grows too big and powerful for any sovereign power to control. However, Ethan and his friends are once again disavowed by the government, and the US government wants to try and obtain The Entity’s power for itself. Meanwhile, Gabriel is acting in service of his higher power, The Entity — an enemy that’s completely invisible, undetectable, and has the power to manipulate any type of digital technology. Additionally, it can predict almost any outcome, as its algorithm forecasts that the key will be brought to Gabriel aboard the Orient Express in the film’s nail-biting climax. The Entity Is an Invisible Enemy That Controls the Truth During Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, Hunt and his team first travel to obtain the second half of the unique key in Abu Dhabi. After that fails, their mission takes them to Rome and Venice, culminating in the climactic sequence aboard the Orient Express across Europe, with multiple parties vying for the key. Throughout the film, an unknown person hires a freelance thief named Grace (Hayley Atwell) to steal the other half of the key. She gets embroiled in Ethan Hunt's exploits as he tries to convince her to help acquire the key. Complicating matters is CIA agent Jasper Briggs (Shea Whigham), who is leading a CIA task force seeking to apprehend Hunt. Additionally, the U.S. government is conducting its own operations to obtain both halves of the key to potentially control The Entity. It’s later revealed that Alanna Mitsopolis (Vanessa Kirby), The White Widow, from Mission: Impossible - Fallout, was the individual who hired Grace to steal the key. Sadly, The Entity manipulates Hunt's team into an unwinnable clash against Gabriel in Venice. The fight ends in Ilsa Faust's death, but Ethan and Grace manage to get away in the process. After the events in Venice, Hunt inspires Grace to help the team in their mission to re-obtain the key and stop Gabriel. Grace is a wild card factor in Dead Reckoning Part One. She’s an independent, freelancing thief who only got wrapped up in the events of the film to get rich. Her onscreen chemistry with Cruise is a great deal of fun, and they share an interesting dynamic in the sequel. Atwell's Grace has the most interesting character arc in Dead Reckoning Part One, since she undergoes the greatest change during the story, transitioning from a devil-may-care thief to someone who comes to help Ethan Hunt's cause of helping the greater good. Grace ultimately chooses to side with Ethan and the IMF, realizing The Entity is too dangerous for any world power to control. During the exhilarating Orient Express sequence, Ethan makes a daring jump off a mountain on a motorcycle to parachute to get to the train in time, rescuing Grace. However, in the chaos, Gabriel obtains the key. Ethan's conflicted over wanting revenge against Gabriel for killing Ilsa and simply completing the mission. He's only stopped from slicing Gabriel's throat by a timely intervention from Agent Briggs, who pursues Ethan over the course of the narrative. While Gabriel manages to get away, Ethan manages one last trick, swiping possession of the all-important key. As for the action scenes, Cruise may be in his 60s now, but he's still up for the challenge of delivering a summer popcorn movie spectacle, and he still performs incredible stunts throughout the experience with aplomb. Gabriel rigged a bridge the train is traveling on to explode. Ethan convinces Briggs to help evacuate all the innocent passengers aboard the train to the rear cars, so Grace and Ethan can separate them. They manage to save the passengers in the nick of time, but are forced to make their way through several train cars derailing over an exploded bridge. A gravely wounded Paris jumps in to save Ethan and Grace from certain doom, having a change of heart after Ethan spares her life when they were fighting in Venice. Paris reveals to Ethan that the key unlocks the Sevastopol, the Russian submarine sabotaged by The Entity at the beginning of the movie, which now lies at the bottom of the ocean. The sub's computer mainframe holds a copy of The Entity's source code, which Ethan and his allies want to use to shut the AI program down, while the rest of the world wants to utilize the source code to control it. The Entity wants to continue growing and operating independently to dominate the world, or perhaps, it desires to eradicate the human race and reset the planet, Skynet-style, like in The Terminator films. We’ll probably have to wait until Mission: Impossible 8 to find out. How Does 'Dead Reckoning' Set Up 'Mission: Impossible 8'? Ilsa's death was not in vain, since Ethan was able to secure the Sevastopol key from Gabriel. Now, Ethan and his allies have the coveted key and potentially the means to fight back against Gabriel and The Entity. However, Gabriel is still at large, and The Entity is only growing in power. Ethan is forced to leave Grace to fend for herself with the CIA and Kittridge. When Grace is taken into custody, she follows Ethan's instructions to join the IMF just as he did 30 years earlier, a development that Kittridge finds "interesting." Ethan and his allies are still rogue agents and fugitives at large, but they still might find a potential ally in Kittridge, who was seemingly unaware that Denlinger used The Entity to sabotage the Sevastopol, inadvertently unleashing The Entity onto the world. Luther opts to separate from Ethan and the rest of the group. The Entity is so powerful that Luther needs to find a safer means to design some type of code to counteract the algorithm and possibly design a code that can bring it down. He is unable to do so in the field, when The Entity can seemingly hack or track any electronic system, including the IMF's computer and radio frequencies. Ethan and his rogue IMF team have their hands full, but it is Mission: Impossible after all. Ilsa’s death is a huge blow to the franchise. Ferguson was always fantastic in the role, and the last two films appeared to be building up to something interesting between her and Ethan that never truly materialized. While Atwell did great work here, it felt like her role came at the cost of losing Ilsa. Still reeling from the loss of Ilsa, Ethan's team has to figure out how to get to the wreckage of Sevastopol that is lying at the bottom of the ocean, to obtain the source code for The Entity and determine a way to shut it down, if that's even possible. The Entity's existence raises some issues that McQuarrie and co-writer Erik Jendresen could have done a better job of nailing down. It's not clear yet why The Entity simply isn't going Skynet on the human race. If a computer program were to hypothetically gain self-awareness and sentience, couldn't it find a way to create backups and redundancies? Can a self-aware, sentient computer program truly be erased and shut down for good using its source code? The Entity's technical capabilities seem overly convenient to hinder the good guys throughout the plot, but then the living computer program takes more passive action when convenient. Ethan Hunt’s epic mission will continue in Mission: Impossible 8, which is expected to be released in 2025. Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One is available to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S. Watch on Paramount+ When it comes to Hollywood's biggest franchises, Mission: Impossible is up there with the best of them. For decades, Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt charmed fans, running several dangerous black-ops jobs for the Impossible Mission Force (IMF). As much as fans come for the plot, the epic stunts and breathtaking visuals are the crown jewels of this franchise. From the trailers, thankfully Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One won't be holding back. Director Christopher McQuarrie returns to push Ethan's team up against enemies, new and old, as well as a scary, new artificial intelligence. With that in mind, here's a breakdown of the sprawling cast and who they're playing. RELATED: Mission: Impossible Star Isn't Interested in a Romance Storyline: 'Who the F--k Cares?' Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt is one of cinema's most iconic faces, turning the notch up from the TV series. In Mission: Impossible 7, Cruise suits up once more to save the world, with Hunt realizing maybe he can't trust even the people who hired him. It paints Ethan as a man operating on principle as he ensures no world power has too much power. It's safe to say, by now, Cruise is indeed the ultimate leading man and tentpole gold. It's evident in how the acclaimed Top Gun: Maverick brought fans back out in theaters post-pandemic. The 61-year-old actor is quite versatile as well, appearing in Interview with the Vampire, Jerry Maguire, Minority Report, and many other box office hits. But from the trailers alone, it's clear the Mission: Impossible franchise is where he shines best. Hayley Atwell as Grace Hayley Atwell's Grace is a Catwoman-like thief Ethan encounters along the way. She gets wrapped up in a cat-and-mouse game involving an AI known as the Entity. It does feel like the series will once more blur the lines for Ethan in terms of romance and getting the job done. That said, it's not Atwell's first rodeo with such a high-profile series. She's been in the MCU as Agent Peggy Carter, as well as Disney's Cinderella and Christopher Robin, and even the sci-fi series, Black Mirror. In Mission: Impossible 7, Atwell's character does seem to have a more shady edge. RELATED: M:I 7 Almost Featured Angela Bassett - But She Could Return in the Future Rebecca Ferguson as Ilsa Faust Rebecca Ferguson's Ilsa Faust returns as the disavowed agent who helped Hunt's team in Rogue Nation and Fallout. She's been a true kindred spirit, and someone many consider to be Ethan's soul mate. Dead Reckoning does hint at a love triangle with her and Grace, though, leaving fans wondering what role Ilsa will play against the Entity. It comes at a time when Ferguson's career is in full-swing, having appeared in Men in Black: International, Reminiscence with Hugh Jackman, and Dune. On the TV side, she recently starred in Apple TV+'s Silo, reaffirming she's quickly becoming a leading lady. Ving Rhames as Luther Stickell Ving Rhames' Luther Stickell has been a mainstay for Ethan's team, and is widely considered its heart and soul. He's Ethan's tech guy, often found hacking cameras, computers and anything digital. It teases an enticing battle to come with the Entity. Outside this franchise, Rhames has been more quiet on the Hollywood front, but he's noted for the likes of Pulp Fiction, Con Air and Out of Sight. While it seems like the 1990s and 2000s were more his era, Rhames has appeared in modern films like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Wendell & Wild. Simon Pegg as Benji Dunn Simon Pegg's Benji Dunn returns as Ethan's field agent and inventor extraordinaire. He's always making masks, devices and helping to disarm bombs. It leaves fans wondering what kind of challenge the Entity will pose against someone like Benji, who always figures things out. It's a return to form for Pegg, who's been in Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, The World's End, and in the modern era of Star Wars and Star Trek. Esai Morales as Gabriel Esai Morales' Gabriel is a new addition to the franchise. He's someone from Ethan's murky past, prior to IMF enlistment. Now, he's a devoted follower of the Entity, looking to sabotage Ethan's plans and help the digital tyrant destroy the world. Morales fans would remember him as Del from Ozark, and as Slade Wilson aka Deathstroke from the Titans TV series. RELATED: Mission: Impossible 7's Preview Earnings Mark a Promising Box Office Start Pom Klementieff as Paris Pom Klementieff is most remembered for playing Mantis in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. In Mission: Impossible 7, she's portraying Paris, an assassin working for Gabriel. It's a vastly different role than fans are accustomed to, with Paris -- from the trailers -- clearly the strong, silent killer type. This gives Klementieff a chance to flex other aspects of her acting talents, while providing an excellent foil for Ilsa and Grace. Vanessa Kirby as Alanna Mitsopolis Vanessa Kirby's Alanna Mitsopolis returns from Fallout as an arms dealer: the White Widow. She's the daughter of the black market terrorist, Max, from the first movie. Trailers indicate she'll be one of the villains trying to co-opt the Entity. While this franchise has increased Kirby's profile, her fans would recall she's quite versatile, having appeared in Jupiter Ascending, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, and the drama, Pieces of a Woman. Henry Czerny as Eugene Kittridge Henry Czerny's Eugene Kittridge hasn't been seen since the first movie. However, he has a key role to play when he returns in the seventh film, having moved on from his position as the head of the IMF to head of the CIA. Here, he tries to work with Ethan to stop the Entity. Whether or not he has good intentions remains to be seen. Czerny may not be the biggest name on the billing, but he's been seen in The Exorcism of Emily Rose, The A-Team, Ready or Not, and as the Arrowverse's Toyman. Now, if he does fall into Ethan's bad graces as Kittridge, his villainous stock may well rise. RELATED: Mission Impossible 7 Reminds Viewers Tom Cruise Has a Sense of Humor Shea Whigham as Jasper Briggs Shea Wigham's Jasper Briggs works for the Community, tasked with bringing Ethan in for the shadowy group. While Wigham has been in quite a few comedic roles over the years, from Vice Principals to The Righteous Gemstones, he's sunken his teeth into few dramas and action properties on the big and small screens. They include Agent Carter, Joker, Boardwalk Empire, Kong: Skull Island, the Fast & Furious movies, Narcos and recently, as George Stacy in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Cary Elwes as Denlinger Cary Elwes' Denlinger debuts as the Director of National Intelligence and as someone working with Kittridge. It gives the English actor another role to own, following Robin Hood: Men in Tights, The Princess Bride, The Jungle Book, and the Saw movies. Elwes has also been in The X-Files, Stranger Things and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, so it's safe to say, many will recognize him as he tries to dictate the war against the Entity. Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One is now playing in theaters. Spoiler alert! The following post discusses important plot points and the ending of “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,” so beware if you haven’t seen it yet. In the latest “Mission: Impossible” movie, Tom Cruise’s superspy Ethan Hunt keeps the world safe yet again – at least for now, and things aren’t looking great! – but also gets put through the emotional wringer more than usual. Director Chris McQuarrie’s “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” (in theaters now), the seventh outing in the action franchise, teams Ethan and his loyal friends Benji (Simon Pegg) and Luther (Ving Rhames) with skilled thief Grace (Hayley Atwell) to stop a rogue artificial intelligence called The Entity. Two halves of a key are integral to either destroying or controlling the AI, and Ethan’s mission – which he totally chooses to accept – is not only to get it but also find out what it unlocks. Let’s break down the action-packed finale, plus who’s joining the team and who’s out of the picture permanently: What happens at the end of the new ‘Mission: Impossible’ movie? A race between Ethan’s team and the mysterious Gabriel (Esai Morales) – The Entity’s right-hand man in the real world and a guy from Ethan’s past – leads to a showdown on the runaway Orient Express, where a business deal to obtain the key goes down. Gabriel winds up with the key but during a nasty fight on the top of the speeding transport, Gabriel escapes and jumps to safety before detonating a bridge that the train is quickly approaching. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. Good news is Ethan secretly swiped the key from Gabriel but bad news is they have to navigate train cars falling to their doom before ultimately being saved by Gabriel’s assassin henchwoman Paris (Pom Klementieff), left wounded after her boss tried to kill her. Paris tells Ethan that the key is to The Entity’s source code on a Russian submarine sitting at the bottom of the icy Bering Sea, Ethan parachutes out before the authorities can grab him, and meets up with Benji because they have an underwater mission in their near future. Who’s the newest member of the team in ‘Dead Reckoning’? Grace was hired by black marketeer White Widow (Vanessa Kirby) to obtain one of the key halves, but surviving a bonkers cars chase in Rome, almost dying in Venice and being embraced by the good guys leads the criminal to (somewhat reluctantly) put her faith and safety in Ethan’s hands. He recruits her to his Impossible Mission Force crew and at the end, when Ethan bolts and she’s face to face with CIA Director Eugene Kittridge (Henry Czerny), Grace accepts this new role and he recognizes her skills that he can use. She doesn’t become a hero as much as “she just grows a conscience,” Atwell tells USA TODAY. “She wants to believe that (these) are the right people to trust and for her to actually be part of something that's more than just self-serving. And it's now sacrificial because the cost of caring about someone is the risk of losing them now is greater. It's like her heart thaws and she becomes more humane.” 'Be the student':Hayley Atwell talks lessons from Tom Cruise in 'Mission: Impossible 7' Does anyone important die in ‘Mission: Impossible 7’? Well, the American director of national intelligence (played by Cary Elwes) is assassinated by Gabriel, though he was a bad guy who wanted The Entity.