First reactions hail Ryan Reynolds' Mayday as a perfect 80s-style buddy action throwback
The first reactions for the upcoming Apple TV+ film Mayday are in, and per JoBlo, critics are calling it a triumphant return to the classic buddy action comedies of the 1980s.
Ryan Reynolds stars as Lieutenant Troy Brennan, a pilot who crash-lands in Soviet territory and must team up with a quirky ex-KGB agent played by Kenneth Branagh to survive. The film is directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein.
Early social media reactions praised the movie as one of the year's best, highlighting the electric chemistry between Reynolds and Branagh. Reviewers noted the film delivers a perfect balance of humor, heart, and high-octane action sequences, with one calling it the buddy-action flick fans have been missing.
Specific praise was given to the directors' grasp of physical comedy and kinetic direction, with multiple reactions pointing to clever banter, exhilarating stunts, and well-crafted fight scenes. The film is described as a charming and hilarious road trip movie with no dull moments.
Mayday is scheduled to premiere on Apple TV+ on September 4, 2026.
