Now, McQuarrie opens up about Ilsa's death in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One in an interview with USA Today. Aware that not all viewers would be happy with the decision, the director nonetheless calls it a crucial part of the film and of Ethan's larger character journey. Check out McQuarrie's full comment below
McQuarrie was indeed correct that the big death would elicit a reaction, and some viewers have expressed hope that Ilsa will miraculously return in Mission: Impossible 8. McQuarrie's comment seemingly confirms that Ferguson's spy is really dead, though, and that audiences shouldn't expect to see the character turn. This decision certainly makes sense from a storytelling point of view, but it also comes at a cost.
Ilsa's death does serve an important narrative function in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, and it does up the stakes significantly. Many previous villains in the franchise haven't killed off such a beloved main character before, and Ilsa's death makes Gabriel an even more formidable figure. Ilsa's death also mirrors a traumatic event that happened in Ethan's past, with Mission: Impossible 7's flashback sequences showing that this actually isn't the first time Gabriel has killed someone Ethan holds dear.
Despite the moment's effectiveness in terms of making Ethan's fight against Gabriel more personal and generally upping the stakes of the film, Ilsa was, however, a great character. Upon her introduction in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, she's been an interesting wild card in the franchise, frequently working with Ethan but also often pursuing her own ends. The complicated and occasionally flirtatious dynamic between Isla and Ethan has been a major high point in the franchise, and Ilsa will certainly be missed in future installments after Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.