Mayday
2026 · Directed by Jonathan Goldstein, John Francis Daley
Original language: English
- action
- comedy
The story
When a U.S. Navy pilot on a top-secret mission during the Cold War gets trapped behind enemy lines, his only chance at survival is to form an alliance with an eccentric ex-KGB agent.
What it’s like
Brisk, wisecracking action comedy with a bitter streak, built on the odd-couple pairing of a cocky fighter pilot and a prickly former spy. The setting is Cold War enemy territory, so expect the genre's usual peril, chases and gunfire, cut with sardonic banter and the pleasure of two adversaries reluctantly becoming allies. The mood is cynical about the institutions that sent both men into the mess, so the jokes tend to have an edge rather than a warm glow. The pacing is quick and plot-forward, with the comedy coming from character friction rather than long quiet stretches. Its tone is wry and restless, and the arc follows two guarded men slowly, grudgingly trusting each other under pressure. There is a post-credits stinger, which suits viewers who stay for the end. It is best for people who want a loud, funny, slightly mean genre entertainment for a weekend night, and less suited to anyone seeking something gentle or purely soothing.
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