Thescreescore – Ryan Reynolds’ latest cinematic venture, Mayday, an action-packed thriller now streaming on Apple TV, has ignited a fascinating debate within the film community. While critics have largely embraced the high-stakes narrative and dynamic performances, the audience reception, as reflected by its Rotten Tomatoes score, paints a more complex picture, revealing a significant divergence in opinion. The film sees Reynolds as an American protagonist thrust into a perilous escape from Soviet Russia after a plane crash, relying on the unlikely aid of Kenneth Branagh’s ex-KGB agent.
Ahead of its digital release, Mayday garnered considerable critical acclaim, achieving an impressive 81% on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviewers frequently lauded the palpable chemistry between Reynolds and Branagh, the relentless, high-octane action sequences, and its nostalgic nod to classic 1980s buddy comedies. This critical consensus marks a significant triumph for Reynolds, representing his best-reviewed starring role in the last eight years.
However, the audience verdict tells a different story. With over a hundred ratings submitted, Mayday currently holds a 66% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. This figure is notably surprising, positioning it as Reynolds’ lowest audience score in six years, since 2020’s 6 Underground (60%), and indeed his lowest of the current decade. The contrast is particularly stark when compared to some of Reynolds’ more polarizing previous works, such as Red Notice (92% audience score) and The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard (79% audience score), both of which resonated more strongly with viewers despite mixed critical reviews.
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Delving deeper into the nuanced audience feedback, it appears that while many viewers appreciated the core elements of the film – particularly Branagh’s captivating portrayal of a "heroic weirdo" and the thrilling action sequences – opinions diverged sharply on the comedic elements. Some found the humor and Reynolds’ signature wise-cracks to be a welcome throwback to classic buddy comedies, enhancing the film’s entertainment value. Conversely, a segment of the audience felt the jokes didn’t quite land, and for some, the film’s inherent silliness and genre-bending ambition proved overwhelming, leading to a less favorable impression.
Despite this mixed audience reception, Mayday has undeniably made a significant splash on the streaming landscape. The film swiftly ascended to the #2 spot on Apple TV’s overall charts, trailing only the highly anticipated fourth season of Ted Lasso. Within the United States, this new thriller stands as the sole movie within the top 10 list, outperforming popular series like Silo, Dark Matter, and Slow Horses.
The film reunites the acclaimed directing duo Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, marking their fourth collaboration after successful ventures such as Game Night, Vacation, and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. The star-studded ensemble cast also features talents like Maria Bakalova, Marcin Dorociński, David Morse, and Wendy Crewson, with Ryan Reynolds himself taking on a producing role through his company, Maximum Effort.
Regarding the potential for a sequel, the creative team remains open but pragmatic. In a recent exclusive with thescreescore.com, Goldstein acknowledged that while he and Daley "have not talked about a Mayday 2," he believes "it would be really fun to continue the adventures of Nick and Troy." Branagh echoed a similar sentiment, stating sagely that "The audience always decides these things."
Looking ahead, Reynolds maintains a busy schedule with several projects in the pipeline, encompassing both starring and producing capacities. Beyond the persistent rumors of his return as Deadpool in Avengers: Doomsday, his confirmed upcoming features include the animated film Animal Friends and the fantasy adventure Eloise.
Mayday is currently available for streaming exclusively on Apple TV.
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