Viewers spot 'something wrong' with Tom Cruise Super Bowl advert as many make same observation

The start of Super Bowl LIX in the highly anticipated showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles left viewers confused after a 'weird' promotion from legendary actor Tom Cruise.

With 75,000 people watching live in the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans - including President Donald Trump and Taylor Swift - and millions of eyes glued to TV sets around the USA and wider world, it fell to Cruise to head up the final promo of the 2025 Super Bowl in which he told the audience about what was at stake.

That was accompanied by, you've guessed it, a whole lot of slow-motion montages from years gone by. Because what is sport without slowing things right down when looking back?

"We encounter a mission that doesn't come along very often," the Top Gun star said.

"It has all led to this... yet there's always new heights to be reached."

A lot of hyperbole and enthusiasm for both NFL teams, basically.

But the clips that focused on 62-year-old Cruise speaking to the camera had a good chunk of viewers wondering about something in particular. And that was Cruise himself.

"Tom Cruise looks like Tom Cruise wearing a Tom Cruise skin suit," one X user wrote in apparent nods to his 1997 classic Face/Off where he starred opposite Nicolas Cage, as well as all the times he wore a face mask in the Mission Impossible universe.

Another said: "Is this an AI Tom Cruise?"

And a third posted: "Why does Tom Cruise's face look weird, like AI or something."

A fourth added: "He’s reached the point where he does not look like Tom Cruise anymore."

Others were a bit less cynical about AI and just thought Cruise looked his age. And that, in turn, was making viewers feel old.

"Tom Cruise finally looking old makes me feel old," one person wrote.

A second said: "Tom Cruise finally aging makes me feel old."

It's not the only clip from the start of the 2025 Super Bowl that has gone viral, with fans left in stitches when Jon Hamm introduced the Chiefs to the pitch.

Taking to the mic, he tried to hype up the defending Super Bowl champions who are on the hunt for a historic third title in a row (a so-called 'three-peat').

The problem for Hamm was that his voice broke big time during the building of the hype. Not what you want at all.

LADbible approached Tom Cruise's representatives for comment on the Super Bowl promo.

Most controversial Super Bowl ads

Super Bowl adverts have become almost as anticipated as the game itself, with brands willing to fork out millions to secure a coveted spot during the event. However, over the years, some ads have caused controversy, provoking heated debates and public backlash.

Let's take a look back at some of the most controversial Super Bowl ads...

Carl’s Jr.: All Natural Burger (2015)

Featuring model Charlotte McKinney walking through a market wearing little clothing and gaining a lot of attention from men, the fast food chain’s ad was criticised for objectifying women.

PETA: Last Longer (2016)

For the 2016 Super Bowl, PETA submitted a racy ad that compared the sexual stamina of a meat-eating couple and a vegan couple. It ultimately didn’t make the cut as it was deemed too explicit for TV.

GoDaddy: Journey Home (2015)

The controversial ad followed a puppy’s journey home after falling off a pick-up truck, only to find that his owners had sold him using a GoDaddy site.

After receiving backlash from animal rights organisations, GoDaddy’s then-CEO Blake Irving announced: “What should have been a fun and funny ad clearly missed the mark and we will not air it.”

84 Lumber: The Journey Begins (2017)

Depicting a Mexican woman and her daughter's journey to the US, 84 Lumber was accused of supporting illegal immigration.

According to the company, the ad’s first cut, in which the pair were blocked by a ‘wall’, was considered ‘too controversial’ to air by Fox.

Responding to the backlash, 84 Lumber said: “We do not condone illegal immigration. The journey of the mother and daughter symbolises grit, dedication and sacrifice. Characteristics that we look for in our people at 84 Lumber. President Trump has previously said there should be a ‘big beautiful door in the wall so that people can come into this country legally'. We couldn’t agree more.”

It ultimately went with a 90-second clip that showcased key moments of the journey, with instructions to ‘see the conclusion at Journey84.com’.

Groupon: Save the Money - Tibet (2011)

Groupon’s ad received criticism after appearing to make light of Tibet’s political situation.

“The Tibetan people are in trouble,” actor Timothy Hutton said in a voiceover. “Their very culture is in jeopardy.”

Cutting to a shot of Hutton in a restaurant, he added: “But they still whip up an amazing fish curry. And since 200 of us bought on Groupon.com, we're getting $30 worth of Tibetan food for just $15.”

General Motors: Robot (2007)

The 60-second ad showed an assembly line robot jumping off a bridge after being dismissed by General Motors.

Although it turned out to be a dream, viewers slammed the visual depiction of suicide and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention called it ‘inappropriate’.

Nationwide: Boy (2015)

Nationwide’s tragic ad features a young boy talking about the life experiences he’ll never get to have because he died in an accident.

After being met with outrage from unsuspecting viewers, the company said the message ‘was to start a conversation, not sell insurance’.

“We want to build awareness of an issue that is near and dear to all of us-the safety and well being of our children,” it added.

Groupon: Save the Money - Rainforest (2011)

Part of the same campaign as Groupon’s Tibet ad, the Elizabeth Hurley-fronted advert was accused of trivalising Brazil’s deforestation after seemingly comparing it to a Brazilian bikini wax.