Spies in film are often shown as suave and charming, but real-life espionage experts say the opposite is true. A good spy must be boring to blend in seamlessly with their surroundings. In the 2006 movie “Mission: Impossible III,” Ethan Hunt, played by Tom Cruise, has retired from high-stakes missions but still works undercover. His cover is so convincing that even his fiancée thinks he’s a bureaucrat at the Virginia Transportation Department. This formula for success is rooted in understanding human behavior and adapting to environments, making it easier for spies to gather intelligence without arousing suspicion.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/05/30/mission-impossible-washington-tom-cruise