Impossible’ Movie Is ‘Rogue Nation’

The Mission: Impossible series is one of those rare franchises that never loses appeal and manages to hold viewers’ attention, no matter how many times they’ve seen the films. The stakes rise with each installment, creating pressure on the actors and the studio to meet the expectations they’ve knowingly set. Luckily for the fans, Tom Cruise is at the helm of these films and is always more than willing to meet – and exceed – expectations.

While every Mission: Impossible has captivated audiences, there’s one that nearly all fans can agree is the best: Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015). As Rogue Nation approaches its 10th anniversary, the sequel remains a fan favorite for its compelling characters, storytelling, and intense action sequences. The appeal lies in the visuals and the narrative, which places the characters in high-stakes situations not seen in earlier installments.

Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation finds the Impossible Missions Force (IMF) disbanded, and agent Ethan Hunt (Cruise) ostracized from the world of intelligence. In their absence, the Syndicate, an organization of highly trained operatives, rise to power with the intent of establishing a new world order through a series of coordinated terrorist attacks. Upon hearing this, Agent Hunt assembles his team of trustworthy colleagues, Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames) and Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg), to stop this new threat with the help of Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson), a disgraced British intelligence agent who has ties to the crime syndicate. The film is intense and has viewers holding their breath to see what happens next, and whether the IMF team will survive this next chapter in the franchise, which they’ve proven time and time again that they can.

‘Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation’ Introduces New Compelling Characters and Narratives

The Mission: Impossible franchise isn’t known for its complex stories but for its direct storytelling that’s easy for audiences to follow. This installment in the 29-year-old franchise finds Ethan Hunt and his IMF team, Luther Stickell (Rhames) and Benji Dunn (Pegg), disbanded after the events in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011). After their demise, a new threat amasses power and threatens the world with a series of terrorist attacks to establish a new world order called the Syndicate. The IMF team reunites, and the mission begins with the introduction of a compelling new character, Ilsa Faust (Ferguson), who easily matches Cruise’s Hunt. Faust is a disavowed British spy who plays a vital role within the Syndicate.

She’s an enigma, and her unclear intentions make her a captivating character because, as the audience, you never know what her next move is or whether she’s truly aligned with the crime ring. She’s known among fans for her “killer thighs” and for holding her own in a fight. The incredible stunt sequences she pulls off, and the fact that they’re performed by a female character, are key reasons why fans hold her in such high esteem. Ferguson’s chemistry and dynamic with Cruise are other reasons this movie marked a shift in the franchise and set another standard that the succeeding films have to meet. Ferguson’s character was a breath of fresh air for Mission: Impossible, ​​​​​​and fans were asking for more, so her return in the next film was all but guaranteed.

The Action Sequences in ‘Rogue Nation’ Had Never Been Seen Before

The action sequences in the Mission: Impossible universe are unlike any other and have set a precedent for how other films approach their choreographed stunts. This, however, wouldn’t have been possible without Tom Cruise and his dedication to ensuring that these films set an even higher standard than the previous films and visually appeal to the audience. Cruise does all of his stunts and has acquired permits and licenses to perform stunts like flying an airplane or parachuting, so fans are always expecting him to rise above and beyond, and Rogue Nation was his way of assuring fans that he’ll continue to deliver on the most outlandish action sequences ever seen in a film.

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The fifth film is nothing short of impressive and delivers never-before-seen action scenes that leave audiences in awe. The scene with Ethan hanging from the side of a plane while in flight, for example, is incredible and shows moviegoers the lengths Cruise would go to make their movie-going experience worthwhile. This scene opened the film and was an indicator of what to expect from Cruise and the storyline, and very much established that Rogue Nation was different from the others.

Another action sequence is the underwater heist scene that finds Ethan and Ilsa in a submerged computer facility to help Benji gain access to a high-security computer lab. It was reported that Cruise had to hold his breath for six minutes while filming the scene, and the planning for the film was meticulous, keeping the viewer captivated enough to wonder if this mission is truly impossible for the IMF to complete. There are motorcycle and car chases and hand-to-hand fight scenes that add to the legacy of this franchise.

‘Mission: Impossible’ Is a Cinematic Experience for the Ages

From the opening scene, everything about Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation is different. Somehow, the stakes are higher, marking a shift in how far the franchise is willing to go in its storytelling and visuals. It’s intense and has the viewer on the edge of their seat, anxiously waiting to see if the IMF can survive this latest threat and save millions of lives from the Syndicate.

Cruise outperforms himself in his role as Ethan Hunt, and Rebecca Ferguson brings a unique energy to the franchise as Ilsa Faust, while Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg’s performances as Luther Stickell and Benji Dunn serve as the pillars of nostalgia as the franchise takes a new turn that sets the tone for future Mission: Impossible installments. After nearly 30 years, audiences can’t get enough of Mission: Impossible. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation is streaming on Paramount+. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is headed to theaters on May 23, 2025.