For Variety‘s “Playback” podcast, “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” director Christopher McQuarrie walked us through filming Tom Cruise’s insane stunts.

“Any of the stuff you see in ‘Mission: Impossible’ we could very easily do on a stage somewhere,” he said. “It will not give you the same visceral energy that you’re experiencing when you watch your star doing it, and I’m able to shoot things in a way that I couldn’t do otherwise. There’s no doubt that there’s a large element of him having a great time doing it, but for Tom, it’s not about, ‘Hey, look at me!’ It’s about, ‘Look at Ethan!’ I shoot everything in a somewhat voyeuristic point of view, but not a voyeur peering in from the doorway. You’re right over Henry Cavill’s shoulder, over Tom’s shoulder. So Tom and I work together to create that sort of immersive experience so that you’re with Ethan and you feel what’s happening. You’re just that much more invested. That’s really what we’re after.”

For more, watch the video above.