Mayday (2026) [Movie Review] — Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh Make This ’80s Adventure Fly

Movie: Mayday

Director: John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein

Writer: John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein

Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Kenneth Branagh, Marcin Dorocinski, Louis Cancelmi, Wendy Crewson, Clark Johnson, David Morse, Maria Bakalova, and more.

Release Date: 4th Sept 2026

Running Time: 1 hour 51 minutes

Rating: 7 out of 10

John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein return with Mayday, an entertaining action-comedy that looks back to the larger-than-life Hollywood movies of the 1980s. Set during the final years of the Cold War, the film combines aviation thrills, buddy-comedy chemistry, snowy espionage, and plenty of nostalgic touches. While it occasionally gets too comfortable with its own retro references, Mayday succeeds because it understands what made classic action comedies so enjoyable: strong characters, energetic set pieces, and a simple adventure that keeps moving.

Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh Are an Oddly Perfect Pair

The film follows Troy “Assassin” Kelly (Ryan Reynolds), an American Air Force pilot who finds himself stranded behind enemy lines in 1987. After ejecting during a covert mission, Troy unexpectedly ends up in the hands of Nikolai Ustinov (Kenneth Branagh), a former KGB agent living in Russia.

Their relationship provides the movie with its biggest source of entertainment. Reynolds brings his familiar sarcastic personality to Troy, but the character works particularly well as an arrogant American forced to depend on someone he initially has every reason to distrust. Branagh, meanwhile, is the real surprise. Nikolai's fascination with American culture—from Top Gun to Bruce Springsteen and McDonald’s—could easily have become a broad caricature, but Branagh gives him warmth, humor, and unexpected emotional depth.

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A Buddy Movie Built Around the Cold War

Once Nikolai chooses to help Troy, the two men become targets of their own sides and are forced into an unlikely partnership. Their journey across the Russian landscape gives Mayday a classic buddy-movie structure, with their opposing personalities gradually turning into mutual respect.

The Cold War setting adds more than just atmosphere. Troy represents an America operating in secrecy, while Nikolai is a former Soviet operative who has become disillusioned with the system around him. Their unlikely friendship gives the film a surprisingly human center beneath all the action.

Action, Cinematography and Excellent Pacing

One of Mayday’s strongest qualities is its momentum. Barry Peterson’s cinematography gives the action a fluid, kinetic quality, while Daley and Goldstein keep the 111-minute runtime moving efficiently from one sequence to another.

The action scenes are complemented by the comedy rather than completely separated from it. A particularly memorable fight sequence in a Russian bar demonstrates how effectively the filmmakers can blend physical action with humor. The result feels like a modern production deliberately channeling the rhythm of classic ’80s entertainment.

Nostalgia Sometimes Gets in the Way

The film isn't without weaknesses. At times, Mayday becomes overly conscious of being an ’80s homage, with its references and stylistic choices occasionally feeling more deliberate than natural. Some supporting characters, including Nikolai’s daughter and Troy’s father, could have been given more meaningful material.

Ryan Reynolds can also feel slightly too familiar at times, as though the movie is relying on his established screen persona instead of pushing Troy into more complicated territory. Fortunately, Branagh provides enough dramatic and comedic weight to balance that limitation.

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Final Verdict: A Fun Flight Back to the ’80s

Mayday may not completely reinvent the action-comedy, but it doesn't need to. John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein deliver a polished, energetic, and genuinely entertaining throwback that celebrates the movies that influenced them.

The chemistry between Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh is the film’s biggest asset, with Branagh in particular delivering one of the most enjoyable performances in this kind of role. Despite some underused supporting characters and occasionally excessive nostalgia, Mayday remains a breezy Cold War adventure with plenty of laughs, action, and old-school charm.

Rating: ★★★⯪☆ (3.5/5)