Has the Mission: Impossible franchise become the best spy series in modern cinema? Well, you may not think so, but you do have to it this: the series has some pretty great characters. From the comical sidekick Benji to the freaky villain Solomon Lane, the M:I franchise has put a lot of fun characters into the world of super-spy fandom. We sat down with a list of those characters to determine which Myers-Briggs® Personality Type fit each. If you're a fan of the franchise, we think you'll like it. So sit back and enjoy this mission, if you choose to accept it; here are The Myers-Briggs® Personality Types of Mission: Impossible Characters.
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10. The White Widow - ENTP
A recent addition to the world of Mission: Impossible, the White Widow (AKA Alanna Mitsopolis) is a brilliant intelligence operative and master manipulator. She is innovative in her solutions to big picture problems, and not afraid to stick to a plan even when it gets rough. All of these qualify her as an ENTP, but it’s her mental prowess that really earns her this spot. Like other ENTPs, the White Widow can spot a pattern where others can’t. She stays ahead of the game by connecting dots most people don’t even know are there. It’s what keeps her alive in the high-stakes game of counterintelligence, and it’s also what determines her personality type.
9. Erica Sloane - INTJ
Speaking of mental prowess, there’s probably no bigger brain in the series than CIA Director Erica Sloane. Erica has the ability to play the long con, to devise an extremely complex solution to even more complex problems and follow through with them. As the orchestrator of some of the most dangerous operations in an already dangerous world, Erica has to possess an absurd amount of logical reasoning, like other INTJs. Otherwise, her operations would be even more fraught than they already are.
8. Alan Hunley - ESTJ
ESTJs typically have a large network of s that they use to make things happen. That’s certainly true of the man who has a bunch of Impossible Mission Force agents’ numbers in his phone. As the former head of both the CIA and the IMF, Alan Hunley’s organized and methodical way of approaching problems has probably saved the world countless times. Alan has a take-charge attitude as all ESTJs do, and he makes it a point to communicate effectively and directly to his team. ESTJs are usually driven to leadership roles for leadership's sake, and this is absolutely true for the man who stepped down from a prominent position to head up a thankless, secret government force.
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7. Solomon Lane - ENFP
Solomon Lane is one white robe and Latin catchphrase away from being the stereotypical cult leader. His fanaticism is a dark twist on classic ENFP qualities like loyalty and idealism. But what really puts him in this spot is Lane’s ability to motivate others to follow him. His worldview is so radical and warped that it would take an incredible amount of charisma to make someone side for it. Unfortunately for the agents of good in the Mission: Impossible universe, Lane has that charisma. It’s what makes him such a threat, such a great reoccurring villain, and absolutely an ENFP.
6. Ilsa Faust - ISTJ
Lisa Faust is a credit to the British secret service. She does what she’s told effectively and without asking too many questions. Like other ITSJs, Ilsa has attached herself to an authority because she sees value in it. Her devotion to the British government comes from a sense of responsibility to do what is right for the world as a whole. Even when this puts her at odds with Ethan and the IMF, Ilsa does what she believes is right, in a way that’s as systematic and logic driven as ISTJs do everything. You can always count on Ilsa to do her job well, but you may be surprised by just how well it gets done.
5. William Brandt - INTP
William Brandt’s character was driven by the (thankfully false) belief that his ignorance led to the death of Julia Meade. It made him withdraw from the IMF, going briefly from active service to an analyst position. At this time, Brandt certainly exhibited INTP qualities. He viewed the world’s problems objectively and preferred the simplest, most traditional ways of solving problems. You can see that quality when Brandt watches Ethan work, he is so shocked by Ethan’s out of the box thinking that he can hardly believe what he’s seeing. Though Brandt eventually makes it back into active service, his time as an analyst found him behind the scenes and behind the book. Like many INTPs, William Brandt was fine with that.
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4. Benji Dunn - ESTP
Poor Benji. He’s a common-sense guy constantly getting trapped in an uncommon situation that makes no sense. Because of the frequent upheavals in his life, Benji has trained himself to analyze a problem quickly and come up with a solution even more quickly. Though he’s not always happy about it, Benji can adapt quickly to new circumstances, true to his ESTP nature. He actually handles pressure and change better than most people would, though we don’t always think of him as doing so in the films. Then again, we’re comparing him to a man that literally jumps onto the wing of a plane during take-off. That’s a pretty high bar.
3. Julia Meade - ISFP
Julia Meade has to be the most empathetic person in the Mission: Impossible universe. Not only does she feel for the people that regularly upset the flow of her life, she actually goes into charity work after her break with the world of super-spying. ISFPs put others before themselves constantly. They are loyal and understanding to a fault, and if they’re not leading a time, they’re in the back quietly motivating everyone else to push on. The IMF has to make some tough decisions sometimes, decisions that blur the line between right and wrong. But not Julia. Julia will treat every person not as a tool or a statistic, but a human being.
2. Luther Stickell - ISFJ
Thank God for Luther Stickell. There's no one else that Ethan, or the IMF in general, can count on more. What Luther lacks in skill he makes up for in willingness to do whatever's needed. Luther will fight, fly a plane, disarm a bomb, anything he can to help complete a mission. ISFJs are characteristically practical in the help they offer. They do work with their hands to solve problems. Also like other ISFJs, Luther is kind and considerate to the people he encounters. He knows his teammates well and invests in them. ISFJs like Luther aren't just great sidekicks, they're great friends.
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1. Ethan Hunt - ESFP
The official Myers-Briggs® personality page refers to ESFPs as "Enthusiastic Improvisors." Well, if you've seen even one of the Mission: Impossible movies, you know that this describes Ethan Hunt. To call Ethan adaptable is a gross understatement, Ethan can go from danger to danger at a speed that would make the Flash sick. And it's all to save the people that Ethan cares about. Adaptability and comion are the defining characteristics of an ESFP, which is why we believe the Mission: Impossible headliner deserves this type.
