Mission: Impossible

“Brian De Palma’s 1996 debut is a masterclass in tension, trading the explosive bombast of modern blockbusters for a cool, claustrophobic atmosphere defined by intricate set pieces and Hitchcockian suspense. Tom Cruise delivers a star-making performance as the desperate, kinetic Ethan Hunt, making this an essential watch for fans of cerebral spy thrillers who prefer high-stakes puzzles over mindless action.”