Mayday Review: Ryan Reynold and Kenneth Branagh join forces in this rather odd buddy comedy that is set in the Cold War era and follows an unlikely friendship between an American and a Russian. It’s a charming throwback to the buddy movies of the 1980s and brings back something extremely old-fashioned that feels refreshing and relatable. While we are used to watching psychologically devastating and complex movies these days, Mayday has a charm that is infectious, headed by two men who share some great chemistry and leave viewers entertained throughout.
The film stars Ryan Reynolds, Kenneth Branagh, Maria Bakalova, Marcin Dorociński, and David Morse, and is written & directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley. You’d expect the Cold War setting to be quite serious, but somehow everything about this film is unserious and annoyingly funny as these two capable men fumble around trying to go back to America.
Mayday Review
Mayday Has a Surprisingly Fun Premise
The film starts with Troy Kelly undertaking a top-secret mission and finding himself in the middle of nowhere in Russia. Of course, while in Russia, the fear isn’t getting back home; it’s being alive long enough to do so! With the KGB after him, he is soon rescued by Nikolai, a Russian ex-KGB man who is surprisingly obsessed with America and Top Gun. Nikolai is clearly not what Troy expected, and the two create a unique friendship that keeps viewers on their toes throughout.
Nikolai’s KGB background makes it hard to trust him, but his surprisingly warm and goofy behaviour adds to the charm of the film, and you are drawn to love and care for him. Viewers oddly wait for the other shoe to drop, for Nikolai to have an ulterior motive, but the man is so sweet that it’s hard to distrust him. The setup of the film gives it an easy rhythm as Troy wants to go home and Nikolai’s strange motivations keep everyone on their toes.
The ease of the runtime and the charm of the two characters make this a lovable watch with not a lot of stakes and big promises. The familiarity of the plot, however, will not be lost on anyone.
Ryan Reynolds Knows Exactly What Movie He Is In
It’s not lost on anyone that Ryan Reynolds isn’t reinventing himself in any way. Troy is sarcastic and cracks jokes at inopportune moments, which is a character he has played in almost every film. Although it’s a role guaranteed to make people laugh, I think the jig has run its course at this point. Now, it feels like I am watching the same person in every film with slightly different backstories.
Meanwhile, Branagh is the star of the show, balancing humour, seriousness and action all at the same time. He’s surprisingly vulnerable at moments as well and brings out the best in his character. His eccentricity is his biggest strength and makes the film feel refreshing. He provides grounding to a film that is more than happy to take itself and run with its different elements. Thankfully, it stops the film from becoming too silly.
The Action Doesn’t Get Lost Behind the Comedy
While the two characters constantly clash with one another, it’s interesting to note that the action is one of the highlights of the film and doesn’t get lost behind the sarcasm. From aerial sequences to Nikolai giving a piece of his fist to those around him, it’s a fun time for action lovers. The fight sequences are smooth, and watching Branagh giving it his all is hilarious, considering how funny he is otherwise. The Cold War setting and the Russian background give the film a more serious tone that balances extremely well with the light-hearted moments, and the action sits comfortably in between.
Where Mayday Falls Short
There’s nothing particularly unique about Mayday other than the chemistry between Reynolds and Branagh. The premise is a bit too simple and works only if you need something light and forgettable. The runtime is probably its biggest enemy, and the repetitive sarcasm gets boring after a while. However, my biggest gripe is Reynolds’s rather lacking range. Every other movie features him as a smarty-pants man who uses sarcasm as an escape tool. It’s fun in Deadpool, but after the n-th film, it starts to get very repetitive. If you are looking for more insight into the Cold War setting, that, too, is unexplored in lieu of silly antics.
Final Verdict
Overall, this is a light-hearted venture that knows what it’s doing. It’s not interested in exploring anything serious and wants to give you a good time. But the 111 minutes are too long, and after a while, things start to feel repetitive. Moreover, Reynolds rehashing the same character in every other film is starting to be exhausting. Overall, it’s a great one-time watch, but it doesn’t have anything to make you come back for a second sitting.
Mayday will stream on Apple TV+ from September 4, 2025. What did you think about the film? Let us know in the comments below!
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