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Movie Review: Kenneth Branagh and Ryan Reynolds star in irreverent Cold War action-comedy ‘Mayday’

PUBLISHED Sep 2, 2026, 12:36 PM ET

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Movie Review: Kenneth Branagh and Ryan Reynolds star in irreverent Cold War action-comedy ‘Mayday’

Apple TV’s Mayday has drawn mixed early reviews ahead of its September 4 streaming debut, with critics praising Kenneth Branagh more than Ryan Reynolds. The Cold War action-comedy, directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, stars Reynolds as U.S. Navy pilot Lieutenant Troy “Assassin” Kelly, who becomes stranded in Soviet territory after a secret mission fails. Branagh plays Nikolai Ustinov, an eccentric former KGB agent who admires American culture and helps Kelly escape. Apple confirmed the film’s September 4 release and September 1 world premiere in New York. The Associated Press gave Mayday 2.5 of four stars, describing Branagh as the film’s strongest element while calling Reynolds’ performance familiar. The Guardian found the pairing entertaining despite the film’s silliness, while The A.V. Club was substantially harsher. Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes had not yet posted critic scores during verification. The supplied review is substantially accurate, with some details requiring attribution.

By Emily Rhodes | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

June 12, 2023 — On June 12, 2023, reports announced Reynolds and Branagh leading Mayday.
February 3, 2026 — On February 3, 2026, Apple announced Mayday’s September 4 premiere.
July 14, 2026 — On July 14, 2026, Apple released Mayday’s official trailer worldwide.
July 22, 2026 — On July 22, 2026, Entertainment Weekly detailed Mayday’s creative inspirations.
September 1, 2026 — On September 1, 2026, Apple held Mayday’s world premiere in New York.
September 2, 2026 — On September 2, 2026, AP published its two-and-half-star Mayday review.
September 2, 2026 — On September 2, 2026, Guardian praised the leads’ chemistry despite silliness.
September 2, 2026 — On September 2, 2026, A.V. Club criticized Mayday’s comedy.
September 4, 2026 — On September 4, 2026, Mayday is scheduled to premiere globally.
After release — After release, audience reception will determine Mayday’s broader streaming impact.

News Intelligence

Immediate US impact: U.S. audiences gain another high-profile streaming release this week nationwide.
Possible long-term US impact: Reviews may influence audience interest, subscriptions, and broader cultural conversation.
Most affected groups: Reynolds-Branagh fans, Apple subscribers, and movie audiences show strongest interest.
Reader priority: Readers should prioritize official release information and independent critical coverage.

Explain Framing

Left: Coverage emphasizes cultural politics, representation, and contemporary Russian sensitivity. Center: Coverage emphasizes release facts, cast, reviews, and competing assessments. Right: No distinct right-leaning framing was identified in accessible coverage.