Mayday is a 2026 American action-comedy written and directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein. The film stars Ryan Reynolds, Maria Bakalova, Kenneth Branagh, and more. It was released on Apple TV on September 4, 2026.

Set in 1987, the story follows U.S. Navy Lieutenant Troy Kelly, played by Ryan Reynolds, whose plane is intercepted by a MiG during a covert reconnaissance mission over Russia. After finding himself stranded, Troy teams up with Nikolai, a former KGB officer who happens to be a fan of American culture. The unlikely duo must work together to survive and find a way to get Troy safely back to the United States.

Let’s be honest, this movie is nothing new for Ryan Reynolds. It’s pretty much what you’d expect from him: action, comedy, sarcasm, and a character with plenty of personality.

Where the movie really impressed me was the visuals and cinematography. Some of the scenes were filmed in Hungary, which did an incredible job recreating the Soviet era. The attention to detail was impressive, the streets, clothing, cars, buildings, and overall atmosphere really captured the look and feel of the time period. It made the setting feel authentic and was probably one of my favorite aspects of the film.

As for the storyline, there were some silly moments. I didn’t find the fight sequences particularly impressive, and there were a few scenes that felt unnecessary. Some of the jokes also didn’t quite land for me, mainly because we’ve heard variations of those same stereotypical jokes before. That said, there were still a few moments that genuinely made me laugh.

I also appreciated that the film explored the tension between America and the Soviet Union and touched on the differences between capitalism and communism. But more importantly, it showed the human side of that conflict and how people from two very different systems can still find common ground. I thought that was a nice layer to add to what could have easily been just another action-comedy.

Couple of Critics Verdict: Mayday isn’t breaking any barriers or going particularly deep, but it delivers a solid action-comedy with good characters, strong performances, and some impressive production design. It’s not going to reinvent the genre, but if you’re a Ryan Reynolds fan, you’ll probably get exactly what you came for.

Solid movie, solid cast, beautiful visuals—and just enough laughs to keep it entertaining.