Mayday, the highly-anticipated action comedy starring Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh, has been called “one of the year’s best” films ahead of its release on Apple TV next week.
The ’80s-set spy caper sees Reynolds portray Troy ‘Assassin’ Kelly, a pilot in the US Air Force who ejects from his vessel to avoid a collision. As he lands in the Russian wilderness, his fate looks bleak.
That all changes, however, when he meets Nikolai Ustinov (Branagh), a local carpenter who happens to have previously worked for the KGB. The pair team up, and hope to evade enemy forces.
Apple TV
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The film is the latest project from writing-directing duo Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, who worked together on Game Night and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
Ahead of its release on Apple TV on 4 September, the first reactions for Mayday have come in, and it looks like this might be a hit. Much of the praise is for the light tone, as well as the chemistry between Reynolds and Branagh.
“Wrack up another winner for @JohnFDaley & @JM_Goldstein! Mayday is 1 of the year’s best,” wrote Courtney Howard on X. “They crafted a gripping, compelling & hilarious buddy road movie with Ryan Reynolds & Kenneth Branagh.”
“A perfect balance of humor, & action-packed thrills. Houses a fave fight scene,” they continued, while Junior Felix dubbed it a “charming and hilarious buddy road trip film” as they praised the “impeccable chemistry” and “action-packed sequences”.
Apple TV
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“Mayday is a crowd-pleasing hit! A feel-good buddy comedy filled with charm. Hilarious from start to finish and filled with action. Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh are a perfect duo with phenomenal chemistry. You’ll love every second of it!” wrote Jonathan Sim.
In addition to Reynolds and Branagh, the cast for the film includes Maria Bakalova, David Morse, Clark Johnson and Louis Cancelmi. Reynolds, meanwhile, also produces alongside Goldstein and Daley.
Mayday is released on Apple TV on 4 September.
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Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.