On paper, the new Soviet Russia-set action film Mayday raised plenty of warning signs. Bypassing traditional theatres for an Apple TV debut, featuring Ryan Reynolds in his familiar wise-cracking mode, and casting Kenneth Branagh as a Russian heavy with a shaky accent—the ingredients looked risky.
Yet, beneath those initial red flags lies a surprisingly crafty and entertaining ride.
What Happened in Mayday
Set in 1987 at the height of the Cold War, the story follows U.S. Air Force pilot Troy Kelly (Ryan Reynolds) stranded behind enemy lines in the Russian wilderness after his jet crashes on a black-ops mission. Just as local forces close in, Kelly is rescued by Nikolai Ustinov (Kenneth Branagh), a former KGB agent obsessed with the American dream.
The mismatched duo embarks on a high-stakes run-and-gun mission across the country. Kelly promises Ustinov sanctuary in the United States—alongside an endless supply of McDonald’s—if he safely guides him to the U.S. embassy in Moscow.
Why It Works
The film is written and directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, the creative duo behind Game Night and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Known for elevating seemingly disposable premises, they bring that same sharp sensibility to Mayday.
While Reynolds occasionally leans too heavily into his trademark banter, Goldstein and Daley keep the dialogue tight and the action visceral. The shootouts, fistfights, and car chases are shot with rare visual coherence and discipline, prioritizing intricate design and genuine momentum over chaotic, hard-to-follow editing.
What's Next for the Streaming Release
Despite boasting a grand scale, big-budget action sequences, and high-profile needle-drops, Mayday debuts directly on streaming rather than hitting the big screen.
Critics note that while the film could have made a decent theatrical dent as a loud counterpoint to standard streaming fare, its swift pacing and smart direction prove that Reynolds still has plenty of cinematic life left—provided he works with the right filmmakers.
