However, the film’s identity is heavily influenced by the presence of Tom Cruise. As Nick Morton, Cruise brings his signature physicality—most notably in the impressive zero-gravity plane crash sequence—but this often shifts the focus away from the supernatural horror elements. The narrative frequently prioritizes chase sequences and explosive set pieces over the slow-building suspense usually associated with mummy lore. This creates a tonal dissonance where the movie feels like an action thriller interrupted by horror tropes, rather than a cohesive blend of the two.

In conclusion, the 2017 version of The Mummy is a bold, if uneven, attempt to revitalize a classic franchise. It succeeds in delivering high-budget spectacle and a memorable new antagonist in Ahmanet, but it ultimately struggles under the weight of its own franchise ambitions. It remains a notable entry in film history, representing a specific era of Hollywood where the desire for interconnected universes often overshadowed the standalone storytelling of the monsters themselves.

Furthermore, The Mummy (2017) was burdened by its responsibility to build a wider universe. The inclusion of Dr. Henry Jekyll and the organization known as Prodigium was meant to act as the connective tissue for future films featuring the Invisible Man, Frankenstein, and the Wolfman. While Russell Crowe’s performance as Jekyll/Hyde is compelling, the world-building often feels forced, slowing down the central plot to explain a mythology that would only be relevant in later sequels. This "franchise-first" approach is often cited by critics as a reason the film struggled to find its footing.