Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning is the eighth instalment in Tom Cruise’s blockbuster film series and a direct sequel to the seventh film, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning.

It’s out in cinemas on 21 May in the UK and 23 May in the US. If you’d like to know where to buy tickets, see our dedicated article.

The name suggests that it’s the last in the film series – and when you sit down to watch it, that’s certainly the impression you’ll get. In every respect, The Final Reckoning seems to be the culmination, climax, finale and farewell to the films so far.

Spoilers for Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning follow.

Beyond some very heavy recapping of the previous film’s plot, The Final Reckoning builds on narratives from previous instalments, brings back familiar faces and pulls everything together into one final battle: Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt vs a digitally all-powerful AI.

Will this be Tom Cruise’s final Mission Impossible film?

Watching the film, you’d have to say that all signs point to yes. The film is both a love letter to Ethan Hunt and a showcase of all the coolest things the character has done over the course of the film series. And with a near three-hour running time and epic stunts, including a final punch-up on the wings of a biplane, it’s hard to imagine a way in which the character – or the movie star who plays him – could get a more explosive send-off.

But, never say never.

At Cannes Film Festival, where the film premiered, Tom Cruise was asked if this really was the end of the franchise – and he didn’t say no. Here’s how he answered the question (via Variety).

“I’d rather just people see it and enjoy and we’ve had an amazing time doing it and it’s been a lot of fun and I just want you all to enjoy it. Enjoy this and know everything is the culmination has come to this moment right now.”

Will this be the last Mission Impossible film?

But that’s not all. Director Christopher McQuarrie has helmed the final five of the eight Mission Impossible films. When he and Tom Cruise were interviewed by Empire Magazine earlier this year, McQuarrie also refused to confirm that The Final Reckoning is the last outing for the Mission Impossible team.

“It is, I hope, the satisfying conclusion to a 30-year story arc. I’m pretty confident that people are going to feel that the title was appropriate.”

Could Mission Impossible continue without Cruise and McQuarrie?

Even if Cruise and McQuarrie are completely finished with the franchise – something that both of them have failed to confirm – it’s more than possible that the film series could continue with a new lead and director. After all, the franchise is the 17th-highest-grossing film series of all time, earning over $4.09 million worldwide. It’s hard to imagine Hollywood putting this cash cow out to pasture.

Plus, at the end of The Final Reckoning, there’s still a familiar IMF team in place, ready to save the world again. The team includes Simon Pegg’s Benji, Hayley Atwell’s Grace and Pom Klementieff’s Paris. But does Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt make it through to the final credits? You’ll have to watch it to find out.