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Mayday backdrop

Mayday

2 September 2026English1h 50m

What critics are saying

Critical reception for Mayday is moderately positive, with reviewers broadly finding it an entertaining, well-crafted throwback to action-comedy genre conventions.

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In cinemas now

When a U.S. Navy pilot on a top-secret mission during the Cold War gets trapped behind enemy lines, his only chance at survival is to form an alliance with an eccentric ex-KGB agent.

Critic Consensus

Critical reception for Mayday is moderately positive, with reviewers broadly finding it an entertaining, well-crafted throwback to action-comedy genre conventions. Kenneth Branagh's eccentric performance and the odd-couple dynamic between the leads are frequently highlighted as standout elements, while the film's period setting, comic timing, and action sequences earn consistent praise. The most common reservation is that the film's attempts at political commentary feel underdeveloped compared to its stronger genre instincts, though no critic found it a significant failure.

3 reviews · 3 positive

Praised: Lead performances and odd-couple chemistryCriticised: Weak political commentary attempts

AI-generated summary of 3 critic reviews · may contain errors

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Critic Reviews (5)

Updated
Sreeparna Sengupta· Times Of India
7.0
"At close to two hours, the film makes for a succinct, entertaining watch with all the bromance, humour and stunts that make this action-comedy a fun watch."
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Sonal Pandya· TimesNowNews
7.0
"Co-directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, the period comedy plays off Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh's odd couple energy."
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Bhavna Agarwal· India Today
6.0
"Kenneth Branagh's eccentric turn gives the Apple TV buddy adventure its sharpest edge."
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Rohan Naahar· TheFederal
Not rated
"A surprisingly sensitive entertainer that uses Cold War tensions and geopolitical mistrust as a backdrop for a thoughtful exploration of how propaganda shapes our perceptions, while delivering effective action sequences and genuine humor."
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Not rated
"Still, Mayday is too well made to leave you entirely cold. Daley and Goldstein know nostalgia works best when it has something tangible to cling to, which is why the film's period technology and gleeful action movie abandon have considerably more life than its attempts at political commentary. Still, there is enough craft, comic timing and genuine affection for the genre here to make the nostalgia feel like a perfectly enjoyable throwback."
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Cast & Crew

Cast

Details

Release Date
2 September 2026
Runtime
1h 50m
Language
English
Genres
Action, Comedy

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