London’s Leicester Square was the place to be last Thursday evening—not just for film fans, but for anyone who appreciates high fashion, adrenaline-pumping stunts, and A-list energy.
The red carpet premiere of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning drew a star-studded crowd, and although Tom Cruise was front and center, it was his leading ladies who truly stole the spotlight.
The Women Who Outshone Ethan Hunt
Hayley Atwell, who reprises her role as Grace—the savvy former thief turned IMF agent—lit up the night in a sleek satin pink gown with black sequin accents.
At 43, Hayley brought poise and elegance as she posed confidently for the cameras.
Not to be outdone, Ted Lasso’s Hannah Waddingham shimmered in a plunging silver dress that turned heads with its glamour and bold cut.
The 50-year-old British actress looked every bit the showstopper, commanding attention with her confident stride.
Adding some edge to the evening was Pom Klementieff, who rocked a mirrored mini dress with a daring flair. Known for her role as Mantis in the Marvel universe, Pom embraced the glitz with style and attitude.
Tom Cruise Brings the Drama—On and Off the Ground
Tom Cruise, 62, kept it classic in a black ensemble—blazer, trousers, and shirt—serving his signature suave look.
But in typical Cruise fashion, he didn’t stick to simply walking the carpet.
Instead, he upped the spectacle by climbing atop not one, but two vintage aircraft placed on the red carpet, waving to fans from above like a real-life Ethan Hunt.
Standing by his side was director Christopher McQuarrie, dressed in a sharp navy suit, and co-star Simon Pegg, who brought color to the carpet in a red-and-black patterned suit paired with red sunglasses.
Pegg returns as tech-savvy field agent Benji Dunn, Ethan’s trusted right-hand man.
From Cannes to London: The Final Countdown Begins
The London premiere followed a glamorous showing at the Cannes Film Festival just a day prior, building even more excitement for what promises to be an epic conclusion to the beloved action series.
Fans are counting down the days until the film’s release on May 23, 2025, marking the eighth—and final—chapter in the Mission: Impossible saga.
Early Buzz: “The Action Film of the Summer”
Critics who caught early screenings are already singing the film’s praises.
Many took to social media to describe the latest installment as “astonishing,” with jaw-dropping stunts and high-stakes storytelling.
Anthony Gagliardi declared, “Every second is designed to blow your mind—a pulse-pounding thrill ride!”
Meanwhile, Fandango’s Erik Davis called it “the biggest, wildest, and most consequential Mission movie yet.”
Dave Baldwin echoed the sentiment, saying it will leave audiences “gasping.”
Cruise’s Craziest Stunt Yet?
We’ve seen Tom Cruise cling to planes, scale skyscrapers, and race motorcycles off cliffs, but the latest entry raises the bar even higher.
One standout moment features the actor dangling out of a helicopter thousands of feet in the air before taking a breathtaking backward fall.
A behind-the-scenes video from Paramount gives fans a taste of the intensity.
Using a Snorricam (a device that keeps the camera fixed on the actor), the clip shows Tom leaping from the helicopter and includes a peek at the intricate planning behind the stunt.
The Limits of Human Endurance
Speaking about the stunt, Cruise shared with Empire Magazine that the scene demanded serious training.
“You’re sticking your face out of a plane going 120 miles per hour—you’re not getting oxygen,” he explained.
“There were times I’d pass out; I couldn’t even get back into the cockpit.”
Director Christopher McQuarrie admitted that even he was overwhelmed at times. “There are stunts in this movie that will melt your brain,” he confessed.
One scene shot in Africa, where Cruise performs a wing-walking stunt on a 1940s biplane, was particularly intense.
McQuarrie recalled, “Any day in Africa, Tom would do something that topped everything he’d done before.”
Wrapping Up the Impossible
As the series draws to a close, fans can expect a showdown unlike any other.
Ethan Hunt, now facing his most dangerous mission yet, must confront betrayal, uncover lost secrets, and chase down the mysterious cyber weapon known as The Entity.
Cruise isn’t just ending the franchise with a bang—he’s soaring out with a heart-racing, gravity-defying spectacle.
With anticipation sky-high and early reviews glowing, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning might just be the ultimate cinematic send-off we didn’t know we needed.