Ryan Reynolds has mastered the art of the modern blockbuster by blending high-octane spectacle with his signature razor-sharp wit. Whether he’s shattering box office records in his iconic red superhero suit or lending his comedic charm to family-friendly hits like IF and Free Guy, Reynolds remains one of Hollywood’s most bankable and beloved leading men. Now, he is ratcheting up the stakes once again, starring in Mayday, an upcoming action spy thriller from directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, who are widely known as the creative minds behind Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves and Game Night.
Set at the height of the Cold War, Mayday follows Reynolds’ hotshot U.S. Navy pilot Lieutenant Troy “Assassin” Kelly, whose top-secret reconnaissance mission over Soviet territory goes horribly wrong. After his plane is shot down, he finds himself stranded behind enemy lines in the brutal Russian wilderness. His only hope comes from Kenneth Branagh’s Nikolai Ustinov, a gruff ex-KGB agent who unexpectedly saves his life, sparking an odd-couple alliance as they work together to evade Soviet forces. The first trailer highlighted their fight for survival, balancing the sharp, comedic friction between them with explosive action sequences.
“Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh team up in Mayday, a genre-bending, action-packed buddy comedy that flips the spy thriller on its head. When hotshot U.S. Navy pilot Lieutenant Troy ‘Assassin’ Kelly (Reynolds) 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. Discovered by Nikolai Ustinov (Branagh), 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?”
The trailer for Mayday also confirmed that the buddy comedy will be available to stream globally on Apple TV on Sept. 4, 2026. As anticipation reaches a fever pitch ahead of its premiere, the first wave of chatter from early screenings is finally beginning to surface, adding to the pre-release buzz. The first reactions are highly enthusiastic, praising the film as a fast-paced, high-stakes action comedy that blends raucous humor with unexpected heart. Critics and industry professionals have also lauded the chaotic chemistry between Reynolds and Branagh, noting that the elite pairing ensures that there is never a dull moment.
Film critic Courtney Howard went so far as to call Mayday “one of the year’s best,” commending Daley and Goldstein for racking up “another winner” in a glowing X post, stating: “They crafted a gripping, compelling and hilarious buddy road movie with Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh. A perfect balance of humor and action-packed thrills.” Fellow movie critic Junior Felix concurred with that opinion, asserting that the filmmaking duo “knock it out of the park” again and have “created easily one of the year’s best.” They also raved about Branagh and Reynolds, noting that they have “impeccable chemistry and bring action-packed sequences to life effortlessly” in what becomes “a beautiful love letter to the ’80s action flicks we all grew up with.”
Zach Pope doubled down on these sentiments, calling Mayday “a fantastic throwback to the kind of action buddy comedies we just don’t get enough of anymore.” They asserted that “it’s got everything you want from this kind of movie top tier action, genuinely funny comedy and an incredible dynamic between Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh,” highlighting Branagh’s character in particular as “easily one of my favorites of 2026.” Reporter and critic Maggie Ma called the two lead actors “hilarious” and “charming,” noting that there is “not one dull moment” as the film contains “many surprising and well-crafted action sequences.”
Kenneth Branagh as Nikolai Ustinov and Ryan Reynolds as Troy “Assassin” Kelly in MaydayApple TV
Ultimately, the early verdict suggests that Daley and Goldstein have expertly engineered yet another crowd-pleasing hit that perfectly sticks the landing. Reel Movie Junkie owner Chalice enthusiastically labeled it “a must-see” action comedy, imploring people to add it to their watchlists when it debuts next month. So, don’t forget to add Mayday to your calendars for Sept. 4th – because if these roaring reactions are any indication, you definitely won’t want to miss this high-flying ride when it touches down on Apple TV.