I Loved the Most Hated Villain in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning!

Due to the success of the Mission: Impossible series with its outstanding films, there was immense expectation for Mission: Impossible – Fallout to provide a fitting conclusion. Although it’s not certain if this movie will mark the end of the franchise, viewers seem quite content with how things wrap up. In the final scenes of Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Ethan and his team successfully capture the Entity, preventing a possible nuclear disaster from occurring worldwide. Throughout the mission depicted in Mission: Impossible – Fallout, there are numerous thrilling action sequences and stunts included.

Remarkable scenes such as the submersible escape and aircraft pursuit have primarily earned favorable feedback for “Mission: Impossible – Fallout”. It’s worth mentioning that Tom Cruise’s recent installment in the series received lower ratings compared to the previous four films within the franchise. Although “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” boasts impressive elements, it’s also been noted by critics and fans that there are less compelling aspects to the movie. For instance, some people have suggested that Gabriel is a rather unimpressive antagonist in “Mission: Impossible – Fallout”, an opinion I personally disagree with.

Gabriel Is A Great Villain In Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

Gabriel Once Again Haunts Ethan In Mission: Impossible 8

In “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” which continues the narrative set in 2023’s “Dead Reckoning,” viewers were aware that Gabriel would be a significant adversary in the film. Following his defeat by Ethan at the end of the last movie, Gabriel resurfaces with a fierce determination in “The Final Reckoning.” Although the AI program called The Entity serves as the primary antagonist in the new movie, throughout “The Final Reckoning,” Gabriel consistently undermines Ethan and his team’s strategies.

In contrast to the perception in Dead Reckoning, Gabriel appears more eccentric or over-the-top in The Final Reckoning, as portrayed by actor Esai Morales. Some critics have found this performance to be more exaggerated, reminiscent of comic book villains from action movies. Despite this, I personally find it enjoyable and believe it brings an unexpected element of fun to a movie that can sometimes seem dreary and monotonous.

Gabriel May Not Be The Best Villain In The Mission: Impossible Franchise, But He’s Definitely Not The Worst

Gabriel Adds A Lot To Dead Reckoning & The Final Reckoning

While I personally find Gabriel an enjoyable character in “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning”, it’s not hard to see why others might think Morales’ acting is excessively flamboyant. To be clear, I don’t believe Gabriel deserves the title of one of the best “Mission: Impossible” villains. After all, the franchise has been graced with a host of remarkable antagonists, such as Owen Davian from “Mission: Impossible III” and Solomon Lane from “Rogue Nation” and “Fallout”.

In my view, Gabriel stands out as a more compelling antagonist compared to some lesser-known adversaries of Ethan Hunt. I think the most effective MI villains are those who challenge Ethan on a deeply personal level and jeopardize his loved ones. This is exactly what Gabriel does, as he was responsible for Luther’s death in “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.” So, while Morales’ acting may sometimes be over-the-top, scenes like Luther’s demise demonstrate that Gabriel is one of the most formidable villains in the entire series.

Gabriel Surprised Me In Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

Gabriel Fights For Himself In Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

In contrast to his role in Dead Reckoning, where he served the Entity without question, Gabriel takes a more active and ambitious stance in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. Rather than returning to serve the Entity again, Gabriel aims to seize control of it in this installment.

In the earlier movie, Gabriel was incredibly devoted to the Entity. Consequently, I found his character transformation in “The Final Reckoning” surprising. To me, Gabriel’s new role in that film makes him an even more intriguing character, as it places him alongside the franchise’s past villains driven by power hunger. Although some criticisms about Gabriel are warranted, I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed watching him in “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.

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2025-05-30 18:27