Tom Cruise’s appearance at the Paris 2024 Olympics closing ceremony, where he performed a dramatic stunt, has left many viewers feeling underwhelmed. The 62-year-old actor abseiled off the Stade de France roof, landed in a crowd of fans, and then rode a motorbike out of the stadium while holding the Olympic flag. This stunt, reminiscent of his iconic Mission: Impossible scenes, was part of the handover from Paris to Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics.
Despite the anticipation and Cruise’s reputation for high-octane stunts, many viewers were disappointed, describing the performance as “bare minimum” and lacking the excitement they expected. Some expressed their dissatisfaction on social media, with comments like, “That Tom Cruise thing was underwhelming to be honest,” and, “I expected better from Tom Cruise.” Others found the stunt to be “stunning and wonderfully pointless,” highlighting a sense of missed opportunity for a more thrilling display.
Cruise’s stunt was not just for show but also tied into the promotion of his upcoming film, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two, set to be released in May 2025. Paramount Pictures expressed their gratitude to Cruise for his involvement, acknowledging his dedication to the franchise and the entertainment industry. However, this connection to his movie did little to impress viewers who were expecting something more from the ceremony.
The closing ceremony also featured performances by Billie Eilish, H.E.R, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, adding to the entertainment lineup. Despite the mixed reactions to Cruise’s stunt, the ceremony marked the end of what IOC President Thomas Bach described as “Seine-sational” Games, celebrating full gender parity and the success of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
