The Truth About Ethan Hunt's Spy Skills

According to former CIA intelligence operative Andrew Bustamante, Ethan Hunt's interrogation techniques in Mission: Impossible 3 are flawed for several reasons. In the film, Hunt is interrogated by dangerous arms dealer Owen Davian about the whereabouts of "The Rabbit's Foot," with Davian threatening to harm Hunt's wife. Bustamante breaks down the scene in a new video released by Insider ahead of the Mission: Impossible 7 release date.

According to CIA training, Ethan's negotiation technique in this clip is flawed. By pleading, he relinquishes control to the other party, which is not ideal in an intelligence operation where maintaining control is crucial. The type of negotiation depicted is known as a hostile negotiation, which requires a specific script that includes repeating one's name, social security number, cover, and relevant core truths. This repetition is effective in protecting against giving away information, as individuals threatened in such situations often resort to repeating themselves at a base level. However, Ethan does not employ this technique in the example shown.

“The key to effective negotiation is to put the other party under pressure, as this often leads to poor decision-making on their part. It's a shame to admit it, but as I watched the video clip, I found myself rooting for the antagonist because they seemed to have mastered this technique.”

Is Ethan Hunt Actually A Good Spy?

Throughout all six Mission: Impossible movies, Ethan Hunt takes on seemingly impossible missions and manages to complete them with only seconds to spare before disaster strikes. While the franchise is wildly entertaining and Cruise's dedication to performing his own stunts adds to the excitement, Hunt's unconventional methods can sometimes be risky and even reckless.

During his rescue mission in Mission: Impossible 3, Hunt's team is ambushed by an attack helicopter despite his lack of proper reconnaissance and a team that's too small. Additionally, the IMF boss points out that not scanning the trainee before rescuing her could have resulted in the explosive charge hidden in her head taking out the whole team. Hunt's luck also plays a role in his infiltration of the submerged tank in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, where he randomly chooses between two drives, only one of which will save his life. Despite these flaws, the Mission: Impossible franchise remains thrilling and Cruise's portrayal of Hunt continues to captivate audiences.

Source: Insider