Ryan Reynolds' New Action Movie Hailed As "Best" Of The Year In First Reactions

This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.Apple TV looks to have a new hit on their hands with Mayday's first reactions. Written and directed by Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves duo John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, the action-comedy centers on Ryan Reynolds as Troy "Assassin" Kelly, a US Air Force pilot shot down over Soviet Russia during the Cold War who survives thanks to the help of Russian ex-KGB carpenter Nikolai Ustinov, who is enamored with American culture. The two then set off across the country in an action-packed race to get Troy out of enemy territory and to safety. As the film gears up for its September 4 premiere, the first official reactions for Mayday have begun rolling out, and viewers are in love with Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh's new action comedy. Reel Movie Junkie owner Chalice Williams described the film as the "buddy-action flick we've been missing and need more of," praising Reynolds and Branagh for being the "dynamic opposite of one another." Williams also expressed that the Apple TV film is "funny-yet-subtle enough" without needing to "overpower the action and the plot," and delighting in Reynolds having gone "back to his Safe House/Smokin' Aces roots," which "paid off" and made it "a must-see!" Maggie_In_LA's Maggie Ma was similarly enthusiastic in their response to the film, expressing having had "so much fun" screening the action-comedy and praising Reynolds and Branagh for being "hilarious," while also finding their characters' relationship to be "so charming." They also teased that Mayday comes with "so many surprising and well-crafted action sequences," with not "one dull moment" in its 111-minute runtime. Independent critic Zach Pope began his reaction by describing Mayday as a "fantastic throwback" to the buddy-action-comedy genre that "we just don't get enough of anymore." He went on to praise directing duo John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein for being able to "infuse the film with so much entertainment, comedy, and most importantly charm," assuring it will have everything audiences want from such a blockbuster production, including "top-tier action" and "genuinely funny comedy." More specifically, Pope hailed Branagh as having "completely [stolen] the movie," citing his character of Russian ex-KGB carpenter Nikolas as "easily one of my favorites of 2026." He also was in awe of how the Apple TV action movie "explores the differences between these two characters and their cultures" while still maintaining "the fun of their relationship," praising Goldstein and Daley for bringing the same "heart, humor, chaotic energy and loveable characters" of Game Night and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, calling it "better than MANY streaming action movies" and feeling it "would have made BANK back in the day." That Hollywood Show's Junior Felix similarly focused his praise on Goldstein and Daley's work on Mayday, hailing that the directorial duo "knock it out of the park" with their new action-comedy. He further celebrated it as "one of the year's best" thanks to how "charming and hilarious" they've pulled off the "buddy road trip" formula, and hailing that Branagh and Reynolds have "impeccable chemistry" in the film, while also "bring[ing] action-packed sequences to life effortlessly." Felix concluded by describing Mayday as a "beautiful love letter to the '80s flicks we all grew up with." Variety's Courtney Howard also described Mayday as "another winner" for Goldstein and Daley, similarly praising the action-comedy as "1 of the year's best." Howard went on to celebrate how the pair "crafted a gripping, compelling and hilarious buddy road movie," particularly in how they find the "perfect balance of humor and action-packed thrills," while also teasing that the film "houses a fave fight scene." Developing... Release Date September 4, 2026 Cast Maria Bakalova Anna Ustinov Marcin Dorociński Alexander Volkov Mayday is a 2026 action comedy set during the Cold War, following hotshot U.S. Navy pilot Troy “Assassin” Kelly after a secret mission leaves him stranded behind enemy lines in Soviet Russia. His unlikely chance of survival comes from Nikolai Ustinov, an eccentric former KGB agent whose fascination with American culture turns the dangerous escape into an unexpected partnership. Runtime 110 minutes Director John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein Writers Jonathan Goldstein, John Francis Daley Producers Ashley Fox, Dana Goldberg, David Ellison, Don Granger, John G. Scotti, Johnny Pariseau, Jonathan Goldstein, Patrick Gooing Main Genre Action Executive Producer(s) George Dewey, John G. Scotti, Ryan Reynolds Studio(s) Skydance, Maximum Effort