'Mayday' Review: Ryan Reynolds & Kenneth Branagh Turn Cold War Chaos Into Comedy Gold

‘Mayday’ Review: Ryan Reynolds & Kenneth Branagh Took a Cold War Thriller and Made It Hilarious

Ryan Reynolds is back doing what he does best — being effortlessly charming while everything around him goes sideways. His latest, “Mayday,” hit Apple TV on September 4, pairing the “Deadpool” star with the legendary Kenneth Branagh in a Cold War action-comedy that critics are already calling one of the best films of 2026.

What's ‘Mayday’ About?

Set in the 1980s, the movie follows a secret Soviet mission gone badly wrong, forcing an unlikely alliance between Reynolds's wise-cracking operative and Branagh's stoic counterpart. It's “genre-bending,” according to early viewers — part thriller, part buddy comedy, with enough chases and near-misses to keep your heart rate up. Maria Bakalova (“Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”), “Marcin Dorociński,” and “David Morse” round out a stacked cast.

The Secret Weapon Is the Chemistry

Honestly, the humor carries it. Critics point out that the subject matter — 1980s Soviet espionage — was serious business back in the day, but Reynolds and Branagh make it feel like a heist comedy with actual stakes. The Rotten Tomatoes score is reportedly strong, with reviewers praising how the film balances laughs with genuine tension.

“Mayday” is streaming now on Apple TV+. If you've got a subscription, do yourself a favor and give it a spin — it's the perfect late-summer palate cleanser before awards season starts flexing.