Mayday (2026) – A Cold War Action Comedy That Actually Made Me Laugh
Mayday is an action comedy, and I didn't expect to enjoy it this much. There were moments that really made me laugh. The story is good, and the action and laughs deliver what the movie promises. I enjoyed it and can even rewatch it when I feel like an action movie that makes me laugh. My rating is 7 out of 10—a fun action movie with comedy that made me laugh. It's not trying to be deep or ground-breaking, but it knows exactly what it is, and sometimes that's all you need.
Starring Ryan Reynolds as Lieutenant Troy "Assassin" Kelly and Kenneth Branagh as Nikolai Ustinov, this action comedy is written and directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein. When a hotshot U.S. Navy pilot is sent on a top-secret mission into Russian territory at the height of the Cold War, the operation implodes, leaving him stranded behind enemy lines. It earned a 7/10 from me. Let's dig into the details.
The Plot: From Spy Thriller to Unlikely Buddy Comedy
Lieutenant Troy Brennan's reconnaissance mission over Soviet territory goes awry, forcing him to crash-land and survive in the Russian wilderness while evading capture or rescue. Discovered by Nikolai Ustinov, a gruff ex-KGB agent with a penchant for American culture, Troy thinks he's toast—but could an unlikely alliance between the two lead to Troy's rescue and a bond neither saw coming? No spoilers here, but the film flips the spy thriller on its head. What starts as a tense Cold War survival story becomes a buddy comedy about two men from opposite sides learning to understand each other. The chemistry between Reynolds and Branagh is the film's greatest strength, and their banter keeps the energy high throughout.
The Action and the Comedy
The action sequences are well-executed, and the comedy lands more often than it misses. Ryan Reynolds does his usual thing—fast-talking, sarcastic, and charming—and Kenneth Branagh is a perfect foil as the gruff Russian who secretly loves American culture. The fish-out-of-water dynamic works beautifully, and there are moments of genuine hilarity. The film balances action and comedy well, never letting one overpower the other. At 1h 50m, the pacing is tight, and there's rarely a dull moment. It's the kind of movie you can put on when you want something fun and forgettable in the best way.
The Cold War Propaganda Theme
One theme caught my attention. The movie shows the Cold War. One side is the Soviet Union, the other is the USA. Each sees the other as enemies, and each uses propaganda to convince people that the other side is evil. This is how the US pilot came to Russia—actually, he didn't come by choice. His plane was shot down, and he thought the Russians would be hostile because that's what state propaganda taught him. But the reality was different. Underneath the action and comedy, the movie shows this side of Cold War propaganda—how fear and misinformation shape our perceptions of the "enemy." It's a surprisingly thoughtful touch in an otherwise lighthearted film, and it made me think about how propaganda works on both sides.
What Worked and What Didn't
What I liked most was the fun factor. Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh have great chemistry, and their back-and-forth is the heart of the film. The action is solid, the comedy is effective, and the Cold War setting adds a layer of intrigue. However, the film doesn't break any new ground. It follows a familiar buddy comedy formula, and some jokes don't land as well as others. The supporting characters, like Maria Bakalova as Anna Ustinov, are underused. But these are minor complaints about a film that's meant to be a good time, and it mostly succeeds.
Ratings and Critical Reception
IMDb: 6.8/10 from 51,000 users.
RT: 83% critics (106 reviews) / 68% audience.
The film received positive reviews from critics and was released on Apple TV on September 4, 2026. The critics' score is higher than the audience score, which is interesting—maybe critics appreciated the film's clever subversion of spy tropes more than general audiences did. My 7/10 aligns well with the overall reception. It's a solid, entertaining action comedy that delivers on its promises.
A Minor Critique
If I had to point out one flaw, it's that the film plays it a bit safe. The story is predictable, and some of the comedy feels forced. The Cold War propaganda angle could have been explored more deeply, but the film mostly uses it as a backdrop for jokes. It's not a dealbreaker, but it's something that could have elevated the film from good to great.
A Fun Gem for Action Comedy Fans
At 7/10, Mayday is a fun, entertaining action comedy that delivers laughs and thrills in equal measure. It's not ground-breaking, but it's a great choice for a movie night when you want something light and enjoyable. Dive in if you're a fan of Ryan Reynolds or buddy comedies. It sparked thoughts about Cold War propaganda and how fear shapes our perception of others—all while making me laugh. That's a winning combination in my book.
What did you think of Mayday? Did the Reynolds-Branagh chemistry work for you, or did the comedy fall flat? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and here's the big one: suggest a movie for my next review! I'm craving more action comedies with heart. If you enjoyed this post, please share to support the blog. Thanks.
See also My full list of 2026 movie reviews →
