MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE Director Says ‘Fan Service Is Poison’

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Having dedicated my entire journalism career to the realm of entertainment, particularly geek entertainment, I’ve developed a unique perspective on catering to fans. While I’m just as captivated by the content we feature here at TopMob, I’m not exempt from being swayed by films and shows that are tailored specifically for me. The emotional resonance was palpable when Princess Leia uttered “hope” in Rogue One, and the excitement was infectious as Cap summoned Mjolnir in Avengers: Endgame. Yet, it’s not uncommon for me to express skepticism towards the increasingly specialized media we consume.

However, Christopher McQuarrie’s words about the Mission: Impossible franchise are both provocative and invigorating.

“Fan service, and fandom, is poison.”

The quote McQuarrie made isn’t recent; it originated from an episode of “The Filmmakers Podcast” in 2023 (as reported by THR). With the eighth and supposedly final installment of the Mission: Impossible series set to release this week, it’s interesting to point out that this series has been notably light on Easter eggs and fan service. Although it is a series, as far as Dead Reckoning goes, each movie seems to progress independently without relying on clever inside jokes or references to previous films.

McQuarrie’s full quote on the subject is as follows:

Fan service and fandom can be harmful if overused. It’s best when used sparingly as a powerful seasoning. If you’ve watched other movies before, that’s wonderful, but I don’t assume it. This is because the inclusion of callbacks can lead to a potential issue: I’m asking you to step out of this story, recall another one, and then return.

As someone who’s deeply invested in the storytelling process, I can tell you this: There are two scenarios that might unfold. First, if you’re familiar with earlier films, it becomes my challenge to reel you back into the current narrative while I strive to immerse you so completely that you forget we’re even telling a story. Or second, if you haven’t seen those previous movies, you may find yourself feeling left out, like everyone else in the audience is sharing a secret you’re not privy to. In both cases, your prior knowledge or lack thereof can disrupt the flow of the narrative and spoil the shared experience.

This seems quite deliberately aimed at, it’s clear that we’re talking about the MCU and Disney-era Star Wars here. And I don’t think McQuarrie is wrong to acknowledge this. As I mentioned earlier, those moments were exciting when I first watched these movies. However, they do tend to distract. They make us stop and recognize the reference, or for some, not understand it. In essence, we are momentarily taken out of the storyline for what amounts to a brief history lesson, like the Member Berries in South Park.

After watching “The Final Reckoning”, it’s clear that it caters quite a bit to what young McQuarrie would refer to as fan service. Primarily, this seems to be an attempt to encapsulate the entire 30-year franchise in one movie. However, it manages to make these connections clear rather than obscure, making it more accessible for fans instead of delving into arcane details. Your personal experience with the movie, naturally, might differ.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning hits theaters May 23.

Kyle Anderson serves as the Senior Editor at TopMob, where he also hosts a weekly exploration into pop culture called Laser Focus. His film and television reviews are available here, and you can keep up with him on Letterboxd.

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2025-05-20 23:02