Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh’s ‘Mayday’ Is Now Streaming on Apple TV

Mayday Apple TV viewers can now see Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh’s unlikely Cold War partnership in full, with the Apple Original Film beginning its global streaming run on September 4. The action comedy sends Reynolds behind Soviet lines as an American pilot whose survival unexpectedly depends on a former KGB agent played by Branagh.

Apple TV confirms the September 4 global release for the film, which is written and directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein. The pair also serve as producers on the project, which brings together a cast that includes Maria Bakalova, Marcin Dorociński and David Morse alongside Reynolds and Branagh.

Mayday Apple TV movie puts Reynolds behind enemy lines

Mayday takes place during the Cold War, with Reynolds playing U.S. Navy pilot Lieutenant Troy “Assassin” Kelly. A top-secret mission into Russian territory goes wrong, leaving Troy stranded behind enemy lines and facing a situation far removed from the operation he expected to complete.

His path eventually crosses with Nikolai Ustinov, Branagh’s former KGB agent. Instead of becoming another obstacle to Troy’s escape, Nikolai emerges as an unlikely potential ally, setting up the relationship at the center of the movie.

The premise allows Daley and Goldstein to combine elements of a spy thriller, action movie and odd-couple comedy. The filmmakers previously worked together as writers and directors on projects including Game Night and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, while Mayday gives them another story built around characters forced into an increasingly complicated partnership.

Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh lead the cast

The movie depends heavily on the contrast between its two leads. Reynolds arrives with a long track record of action comedies, while Branagh’s career has ranged from Shakespeare adaptations and prestige dramas to franchise filmmaking and his appearances as Hercule Poirot.

Apple first revealed the film’s September premiere date earlier this year before releasing the full trailer in July. In its official Mayday trailer announcement, Apple described the film as a genre-blending action comedy centered on the unexpected connection between Troy and Nikolai.

The supporting ensemble includes Bakalova, Dorociński and Morse, while Daley and Goldstein wrote, directed and produced the film. David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger are also producers, alongside Ashley Fox and Johnny Pariseau.

Mayday arrives after its New York premiere

The streaming debut follows the film’s September 1 world premiere at AMC Lincoln Square in New York City. Apple’s account of the world premiere confirms that Reynolds, Branagh, Bakalova and other members of the cast and creative team attended ahead of the global streaming launch.

The film has also begun generating critical reaction. The Los Angeles Times highlighted the chemistry between Reynolds and Branagh in its review, describing the film as a throwback-style comedy adventure with clear affection for earlier buddy movies.

The film’s arrival also expands Apple’s current movie lineup at a time when the streamer continues using established stars to anchor original features alongside its television slate. Rather than receiving a traditional theatrical rollout before moving online, Mayday is available globally through Apple TV.

Mayday reunites action and buddy-comedy conventions

The Cold War setting gives the movie a recognizable espionage framework, but the relationship between Troy and Nikolai is the element that separates the premise from a conventional behind-enemy-lines thriller.

Troy begins the story as an American military pilot on a classified operation, while Nikolai comes from the opposite side of the geopolitical divide. Their circumstances force the characters into an alliance that neither expected, allowing the film to move between escape-movie tension and comedy built around their differences.

That combination is also reflected in Apple’s marketing. The official Mayday trailer from Apple TV emphasizes both the danger surrounding Troy’s mission and the increasingly unconventional partnership between the two men.

Watch the official Mayday trailer

Apple TV’s official trailer introduces Reynolds’ stranded Navy pilot, Branagh’s former KGB agent and the unlikely partnership at the center of the film.

Where to watch Mayday

Mayday is now available globally on Apple TV following its September 4 release. Apple rates the movie PG-13 and classifies it as an action film.

For viewers deciding whether to watch, the central proposition is straightforward: Reynolds and Branagh are paired as characters who should be adversaries, but circumstances force them to depend on one another as Troy attempts to survive his failed mission.

With the Mayday Apple TV release now underway, audiences can see whether that pairing can turn a Cold War rescue mission into the kind of character-driven action comedy Daley and Goldstein have built the film around.