I just got out of the cinema after seeing Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One, and I am totally and utterly devastated.

I had known via a spoiler I stumbled across on Twitter about Ilsa's fate, and it took me just over a week to muster up the courage to go and see it for myself.

Firstly, I want to establish that this is not a hate post against the film. I have loved these films for years and greatly admire the work of Tom Cruise and everyone involved - in fact, it was Rogue Nation, the first M:I film Ilsa Faust appeared in, that got me interested in the franchise.

The first half of the movie was really enjoyable, well-paced, full of action and insane stunts, absurdist humour that had me giggling in my seat, and I was really invested in the plot, especially the emphasis on how much Ethan's friends, particularly Ilsa, mean to him.

But after Ilsa "died" (I'm using quotations here because I'm nothing if not a perpetual optimist I'm praying she's alive, also I'm in major denial), I felt like the plot lost its legs a bit. Ilsa sacrificed herself for the sake of Grace, a character who we have only just been introduced to in this movie. While it is in line with her character's morals, I'm honestly shocked at how quickly Ethan and the team, who are extremely tight-knit and don't easily trust outsiders, are willing to replace her with Grace. It's like her death gets brushed over, pushed under the rug and the gaping wound felt by all of us Ilsa fans is hastily covered with a Hayley Atwell branded plaster. Believe me, I am not the only one who is deeply saddened by her death. If you go to Google right now and search "Ilsa Faust", you'll come upon various articles criticising the shocking choice to axe her character and asking why it couldn't be avoided. Or on Twitter or Tumblr, you'll find many posts by grieving fans

Because, above a lot of things, I feel that Mission Impossible films are about Ethan and the people he cares about - his team, who are basically like family to him. And when you take away one of that team, a character who, I might add, took three films of storyline to be trusted and gain her seat at the table, is blithely killed off for "mission impossible stakes", as McQuarrie puts it, it just doesn't feel like the franchise I know and love anymore.

I understand that in these films the character of Ethan Hunt leads an extremely dangerous life and those who get close to him are put in danger, but ultimately, but does it really mean those characters are destined to meet a grisly fate? Aren't these films meant to encourage the audience to believe in the hope that everything will turn out alright because of Ethan Hunt? To believe in the man who values the one life over the millions, who stands firmly on the side of the greater good, and who would never, ever, let a person who means so much to him die?

What message does it send when you take that sentiment and metaphorically throw it out the window by killing off someone who is so important to this character? Are we meant to believe eventually everyone close to Ethan Hunt will die, that he's destined to be hurt again and again and again? That after he's saved the world for the tenth time he will have nothing and no one?

The creators of this film said these movies are for the audience, and they want to see their reactions.The ending to Dead Reckoning Part Two still hasn't been written or filmed, and now, when the movie is getting the attention of the world during its' release is the perfect time to act.

If you hate Ilsa's death as much as I do, I am urging you, begging you to speak up. Make noise on every single platform you have and let McQuarrie and Tom Cruise know you don't want Ilsa replaced or killed off, that she doesn't deserve such a fate unworthy of her. Spread the hashtag #IlsaFaustDeservesBetter everywhere you can, in every place you see Mission Impossible content. Make them listen. Make them see. Make them bring back Ilsa Faust.