Since the franchise has produced several incredible films, there was a lot of pressure on Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning to deliver a satisfying conclusion. Even though it may not end up being the last movie in the long-running franchise, audiences definitely seem quite satisfied with its ending. At the end of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Ethan and his team manage to trap the Enтιтy, saving the world from a potential nuclear annihilation. While the characters are on this mission, several great action sequences and stunts are included in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.

Breathtaking sequences like the submarine escape and the biplane chase have led to mostly positive reviews for Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. However, it should be noted that Tom Cruise’s latest movie has gotten lower review scores than the last four films in the franchise. While there are amazing aspects of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, critics and fans have also pointed out some weaker aspects of the film. For example, many people have argued that Gabriel is a very underwhelming villain in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, which is something I actually disagree with.

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

Gabriel Once Again Haunts Ethan In Mission: Impossible 8

Since Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning continues the story of 2023’s ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Reckoning, audiences knew that Gabriel would be one of the main antagonists in the film. After being bested by Ethan at the end of the previous movie, Gabriel returns with a vengeance in The Final Reckoning. While the AI program known as the Enтιтy is undoubtedly the main villain of the new movie, Gabriel constantly sabotages Ethan and his team’s plans throughout The Final Reckoning.

However, many have pointed out that Gabriel comes across as much sillier in The Final Reckoning than he did in ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Reckoning. Actor Esai Morales is definitely giving a campier performance in this film, which many critics have taken issue with. While Morales’ performance is definitely more reminiscent of classic, more cartoony action movie villains than other Mission: Impossible antagonists, I still think it’s great and surprisingly adds some fun to a movie that can be quite depressing and dull at times.

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

Gabriel Adds A Lot To ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Reckoning & The Final Reckoning

Even though I personally like Gabriel in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, I can somewhat understand why other people think Morales’ performance is too over-the-top. I wouldn’t go as far as claiming Gabriel is one of the best Mission: Impossible villains. After all, the franchise has featured many incredible villains, such as Owen Davian from Mission: Impossible III and Solomon Lane from Rogue Nation and Fallout.

However, I believe Gabriel is easily a better villain than some of Ethan Hunt’s less-memorable foes. In my opinion, the best Mission: Impossible villains challenge Ethan Hunt on a personal level, and oftentimes put his loved ones at risk. This is something that Gabriel absolutely does since he is the reason Luther dies in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. Therefore, even though Morales’ somewhat silly performance can be distracting at times, moments like Luther’s death prove that Gabriel is one of the most dangerous villains in the entire franchise.

Gabriel Surprised Me In Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

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

Furthermore, I actually think Gabriel is much more interesting in The Final Reckoning than he was in ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Reckoning. In ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Reckoning, Gabriel was merely a servant of the Enтιтy. However, after he fails to stop Ethan Hunt, the AI program casts him aside. Therefore, instead of working for Enтιтy once again, Gabriel strives to control it in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.

Since he was so loyal to the Enтιтy in the previous movie, I was not expecting this character change in The Final Reckoning. In my opinion, Gabriel’s new role in The Final Reckoning makes him a much more fascinating character, and also helps to put him in the same league as the franchise’s previous power-hungry villains. Therefore, while some criticisms about Gabriel are valid, I honestly loved watching him in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.