Part 8/13:

A notable strength, Brett argues, is the chemistry between Tom Cruise and Haley Atwell, whose character offers a comedic and romantic foil to Ethan Hunt. Atwell’s sharp timing and physical comedy shine, providing levity amid the overarching tension, especially during scenes where her character witnesses Cruise’s sometimes ridiculous physical contortions in action. Conversely, he feels that the humor with Paris (played by another actress) is more generic and risks undermining tension—particularly toward the climax, where a humorous scene nearly derails serious stakes.