By Mayday is an old-school Cold War action comedy disguised as a modern streaming movie, sending an American fighter pilot and a disillusioned former KGB agent on an unlikely escape across snowy Russia. Set in 1987, the film follows Troy “Assassin” Kelly, played by Ryan Reynolds, after a covert mission behind enemy lines goes wrong and he is forced to eject. Instead of being rescued, Kelly is captured by Nikolai Ustinov, an ex-KGB agent played by Kenneth Branagh, and what begins as a dangerous encounter gradually develops into the kind of mismatched partnership that Hollywood used to build entire action franchises around.
Branagh is easily the biggest surprise. Nikolai is fascinated by American culture, with Top Gun, Bruce Springsteen, and even McDonald’s representing everything he believes exists on the other side of the Iron Curtain. The character could have become a simple Russian stereotype, but Branagh gives him enough warmth, humor, and personality to make him genuinely entertaining. He looks completely comfortable mixing comedy with physical action, and there is something refreshing about watching an actor of his stature embrace this kind of material without taking himself too seriously.
Reynolds plays Troy in a way that naturally fits his established persona, although the character sometimes feels more like Ryan Reynolds than a fully developed Cold War operative. His sarcastic American attitude works well opposite Branagh’s more enthusiastic Nikolai, creating the necessary oil-and-water relationship. The movie could have pushed Troy’s Ugly American personality further, because that contrast would have made their partnership even stronger, but there is still enough friction between the two to recreate the spirit of classic 1980s buddy movies.
The film comes from writer-directors Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, the team behind Vacation, Game Night, and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Their affection for the 1980s is obvious, but Mayday works because the filmmakers understand that nostalgia alone is not enough. They build the movie around the rhythm, humor, music, and character dynamics of that era while keeping the production modern and polished.
The action is another major strength. Once Nikolai saves Troy during a fight in a Russian bar, the relationship changes completely, and the two are forced onto the road together. The stunt work has the energy expected from an old-fashioned action comedy, while Barry Peterson’s cinematography gives the movie a remarkably fluid visual style. The camera rarely feels static, and the transitions between action sequences and quieter character moments maintain a consistent sense of movement. For a 111-minute buddy movie, that rhythm is extremely important, and Mayday rarely feels like it is dragging.
There are weaknesses, particularly in the supporting cast. Maria Bakalova’s role as Nikolai’s daughter and David Morse’s appearance as Troy’s father feel underdeveloped, while some of the humor becomes too self-aware about the fact that the movie is deliberately recreating an 1980s formula. The nostalgia occasionally becomes more important than the characters themselves.
Still, Mayday is the kind of action comedy that understands why the movies of that period remain so entertaining. It has two mismatched heroes, a Cold War backdrop, practical action, humor, memorable music, and a journey that keeps moving. Branagh is the standout, Reynolds fits comfortably into the buddy-comedy role, and Goldstein and Daley demonstrate once again that their affection for older Hollywood genres comes with genuine filmmaking ability.
If you miss the era of Top Gun, Cold War thrillers, and 1980s buddy action movies, Mayday is an easy recommendation. It does not reinvent the formula, but it understands the formula well enough to deliver an entertaining ride that feels increasingly rare in today’s streaming landscape.
