Directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein.
Mayday was released globally on September 4, 2026.
Distributed by Apple TV.
Mayday (2026) Movie Review
Mayday is a lively Cold War action-comedy that brings Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh together for an entertaining buddy adventure.
Set in 1987, the story follows Navy pilot Troy “Assassin” Kelly after he crashes in Soviet territory and finds an unlikely ally in former KGB agent Nikolai Ustinov.
Reynolds delivers his familiar sarcastic humor, while Branagh steals attention with a playful performance.
The movie features energetic action, visual gags and 1980s nostalgia, especially its Top Gun influences.
Although the story is predictable and some emotional moments feel underdeveloped, the chemistry between the leads keeps Mayday enjoyable and easy to watch.
CR Rating: 8/10.
Mayday Actors
Ryan Reynolds as Lieutenant Troy “Assassin” Kelly
DOB: October 23, 1976.
Bio: Canadian-American actor, producer and entrepreneur born in Vancouver, British Columbia.
He began acting as a teenager, first gaining recognition for the Canadian teen drama Hillside, also known as Fifteen in the United States.
Role: Lieutenant Troy “Assassin” Kelly is a U.S. Navy pilot sent on a top-secret mission into Soviet territory during the Cold War.
When the operation goes wrong, Troy crash-lands behind enemy lines and finds himself stranded in hostile territory.
He eventually encounters Nikolai Ustinov, a former KGB agent played by Kenneth Branagh.
Interesting facts: Reynolds was 49 when Mayday was released on September 4, 2026, and he will turn 50 on October 23, 2026. Ahead of his 50th birthday, he told PEOPLE that he prefers low-key celebrations rather than large birthday parties.
Notable Works: Deadpool, Deadpool 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, Two Guys and a Girl, The Adam Project.
Kenneth Branagh as Nikolai Ustinov
DOB: December 10, 1960.
Bio: Sir Kenneth Branagh is a Northern Irish actor, director and filmmaker born in Belfast.
His family moved to Reading, England, when he was a child, and he later trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Branagh became closely associated with Shakespearean theatre and established the Renaissance Theatre Company.
Role: Nikolai Ustinov is a former KGB agent who becomes Troy Kelly’s unlikely ally after discovering the stranded American pilot.
Unlike the stereotypical Soviet operative, Nikolai has a fascination with American culture and develops an unusual friendship with Troy.
Interesting facts: Branagh has spoken about how his early experiences with Shakespeare influenced his career.
He also recently recalled auditioning for David Lynch’s Dune when he was only 21, alongside actors including Gary Oldman and Daniel Day-Lewis.
Notable Works: Wallander, Harry Potter, Fortunes of War, Shackleton, Oppenheimer.
Marcin Dorociński as Alexander Volkov
DOB: June 22, 1973.
Bio: Polish film, television, and stage actor born in Milanówek, Poland, near Warsaw.
He graduated from the Aleksander Zelwerowicz State Theatre Academy in Warsaw in 1997.
After graduating, he became a member of Warsaw’s Dramatic Theatre.
Role: Alexander Volkov is one of the important Soviet figures in the story.
His position places him on the opposite side of Troy and Nikolai as they attempt to survive inside Soviet territory.
Volkov represents the danger surrounding the pair and helps drive the film’s chase and escape elements.
Interesting facts: Dorociński originally dreamed of becoming a professional footballer, but a knee injury ended those ambitions.
Notable Works: The Queen’s Gambit, Spies of Warsaw, The Pact, Pitbull.
Maria Bakalova as Anna Ustinov
DOB: June 4, 1996.
Bio: Bulgarian actress born in Burgas, Bulgaria.
She began singing and taking flute lessons at the age of six before studying acting and flute at the National School of Arts in Burgas.
She later attended the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts in Sofia, graduating in 2019.
Role: Anna Ustinov is connected to Nikolai Ustinov and forms part of the personal side of his story.
Her presence gives the film a perspective beyond the military conflict and helps expand Nikolai’s character and motivations.
Interesting facts: Bakalova began taking singing and flute lessons at age six.
She later studied acting and flute at the National School of Arts in Burgas.
She became the first Bulgarian performer to receive an Academy Award nomination for acting.
Notable Works: The Apprentice, Bodies Bodies Bodies, The Bubble, Guardians of the Galaxy.
David Morse as Harold Kelly
DOB: October 11, 1953.
Bio: American actor whose career began with theatre before he became a familiar television performer.
Born in Massachusetts, Morse studied acting at the William Esper Studio and worked extensively with the Boston Repertory Company during the 1970s.
Role: Harold Kelly is connected to Troy and provides an important personal dimension to the story.
His relationship with Troy helps place the pilot’s dangerous mission within a larger personal context rather than making the movie solely about military survival.
Interesting facts: Morse began his professional acting career on stage and spent several years performing with the Boston Repertory Company before moving into television and film.
Notable Works: St. Elsewhere, House M.D., John Adams, Treme, The Last Thing He Told Me.
Clark Johnson as CDR Keith Hardwick
DOB: September 10, 1954.
Bio: American-Canadian actor, director and producer born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He moved to Toronto as a teenager and later built a career across both Canadian and American television and film.
He also became an accomplished television director.
Role: Commander Keith Hardwick is a senior U.S. Navy figure connected to Troy’s military operation.
His role represents the command structure behind the mission and helps establish the military stakes surrounding Troy’s disappearance.
Interesting facts: Johnson has maintained a successful career both in front of and behind the camera.
His work as a director has included episodes of several major television dramas.
Notable Works: The Wire, Homicide: Life on the Street, Night Heat, Law & Order, Daredevil: Born Again.
Wendy Crewson as Assistant Director Karen Meadows
DOB: May 9, 1956.
Bio: Canadian actress and producer born in Hamilton, Ontario.
She studied drama at Queen’s University, where she received the Lorne Greene Award for outstanding work in theatre, and later trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London
Role: Assistant Director Karen Meadows is part of the operational side of the story.
Her position places her within the military environment surrounding Troy’s mission and the response to the crisis.
Interesting facts: Crewson has won multiple Gemini Awards and two Canadian Screen Awards for her television performances.
Notable Works: Saving Hope, ReGenesis, Frankie Drake Mysteries, 24, Tracker.
Louis Cancelmi as Major Pete Sanders
DOB: June 9, 1978.
Bio: American stage and screen actor born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
His family later moved to California, Anchorage and Seattle, with Anchorage becoming the place he considers his hometown.
Role: Cancelmi plays Major Pete Sanders, a U.S. military officer connected to the operation surrounding Troy Kelly.
His character is part of the military side of the Cold War story as the consequences of Troy’s disappearance unfold.
Interesting facts: Cancelmi is married to actress Elisabeth Waterston, the daughter of actor Sam Waterston, and they have worked together on stage.
Notable Works: Boardwalk Empire, Billions, Blue Bloods, The Looming Tower, The Irishman.
Josh Hamilton as Consul General Dan Hennessy
DOB: June 9, 1969.
Bio: American actor born in New York City.
He studied theatre at Brown University and developed a career spanning film, television and stage productions.
Hamilton began performing professionally at a young age and has appeared in more than 100 screen projects.
Role: Consul General Dan Hennessy is a senior diplomatic figure who becomes connected to the international situation created by Troy’s disappearance.
His position places him on the diplomatic side of the Cold War conflict rather than directly in the battlefield action.
Interesting facts: Hamilton co-founded the Malaparte Theater Company and has remained active in theatre throughout his career.
Notable Works: Madam Secretary, Gracepoint, American Horror Story, The Last Thing He Told Me, The Five-Star Weekend.
Alex Mallari Jr. as Danny “Longshot” Bowers
DOB: February 19, 1988.
Bio: Alex Mallari Jr. is a Filipino-Canadian actor born in Manila, Philippines, and raised in Scarborough, Toronto.
He began training in Taekwondo at a young age and became a successful junior competitor before eventually moving into basketball.
Role: Danny “Longshot” Bowers is a member of the military team surrounding Troy’s operation.
His nickname suggests a confident and skilled serviceman, while his presence adds another member to the group of personnel connected to the aerial mission.
Interesting facts: Mallari competed in Taekwondo as a child and was a two-time Junior Canadian National Taekwondo champion.
Notable Works: Dark Matter, Ginny & Georgia, Workin’ Moms, Brilliant Minds, The Way Home.
More Actors
• Alden Adair as James “Mullet” Mullen.
• Lovell Adams-Gray as Tomas “Boomer” Garcia.
• John Francis Daley as LSO.
• Robert Crooks as Air Boss #1.
FAQ – Mayday (2026) Movie
What is Mayday (2026) about?
Mayday follows U.S. Navy pilot Troy “Assassin” Kelly after he becomes stranded behind enemy lines during a Cold War mission. He must work with former KGB agent Nikolai Ustinov to survive and escape.
What year is Mayday set in?
Mayday is set in 1987 during the Cold War.
What genre is Mayday?
Mayday is an action, adventure and comedy movie with a Cold War setting.
How long is Mayday (2026)?
The movie has a runtime of approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes.
Where can I watch Mayday?
Mayday is available to stream on Apple TV.
Conclusion
Mayday is an entertaining Cold War action-comedy that works best because of the chemistry between Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh.
While the story is familiar, the humor, action and 1980s nostalgia make it an enjoyable watch.