Tom Cruise's Mastery of Stunts Defines His Iconic Film Legacy

Each installment of the "Mission: Impossible" franchise can be distilled into one unforgettable visual: Tom Cruise, clad in dark glasses and a vest, suspended by wires just inches above the ground; gripping a rocky cliff’s edge; scaling the glass facade of the Burj Khalifa; soaring through the air in a spacesuit; or flying midair above a falling motorbike. The latest and reportedly final chapter, "The Final Reckoning," refines this imagery to perfection, featuring Cruise clinging to an upside-down, banana-yellow biplane as it races through the sky.

Right from the opening scene of "The Final Reckoning," the film revisits these signature stunts, reminding audiences that the heart of the experience lies in witnessing Tom Cruise’s breathtaking physical feats. The marketing campaign has made the upside-down biplane stunt so iconic that even before the film began, theatergoers were already speculating about its execution. One overheard comment asked, "Where do you think the wires are?" illustrating the audience's fascination with the mechanics behind the spectacle.

This curiosity stems from a shared conviction that Cruise genuinely clutches the sides of skyscrapers or hangs from inverted aircraft. This belief is the product of meticulous effort, both technical and performative, designed to convince viewers that Cruise undertakes his own daring stunts.

The technical craftsmanship includes close, lingering camera work that reinforces the illusion that it is indeed Cruise executing these dangerous acts. Yet, a significant part of this effect relies on Cruise himself—his determination to persuade audiences that purchasing a ticket guarantees an authentic spectacle. Audiences watch not just the fictional agent Ethan Hunt on an impossible mission, but Tom Cruise, a seasoned actor known for decades, performing what appears impossible.

This merging of character and star has become increasingly central to the franchise’s appeal, sometimes undermining the films’ narrative impact, sometimes enriching it, and occasionally doing both simultaneously. For instance, the villains in the final two movies are embodied by a rogue artificial intelligence called the Entity. While this may feel like a downgrade from previous antagonists, including the late Philip Seymour Hoffman’s memorable performance, the concept of Ethan Hunt and Tom Cruise facing an intangible, omnipresent superintelligence capable of deception adds a compelling layer to the story.