Apple TV's 'Mayday' Delivers Familiar Buddy-Comedy Fun
Set in 1987, the film follows a naval pilot who crash-lands in Soviet Russia and is helped by an ex-KGB agent. Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh's chemistry carries the derivative plot, which feels like a throwback to 80s action comedies. The movie is rated PG-13 and runs 1 hour 50 minutes.
The film reunites the directing duo of John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, who previously collaborated on *Game Night* and *Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves*. Their action-comedy pedigree is evident in the set pieces, which include a parachute fire sequence and a fight aboard a plane. Production used Budapest's Heroes' Square, enhanced with digital effects, to stand in for Moscow's Red Square during a foot chase.
The cast includes Maria Bakalova and David Morse in supporting roles, alongside Marcin Dorocinski as the primary antagonist. Branagh's character, a former KGB agent, maintains a bootleg VHS copy of *Top Gun* as his prized possession, a period detail that reinforces the film's 1987 setting and its affectionate nod to the era's blockbuster culture.
This film may appeal to viewers seeking undemanding, nostalgic entertainment, particularly those who remember the buddy-action genre of the 1980s. Its streaming release on Apple TV could reinforce the ongoing shift of mid-budget comedies away from theatrical distribution, potentially affecting how audiences discover such films. The familiar formula may provide comfort viewing but is unlikely to generate significant cultural conversation or long-term impact beyond its initial release window.