The Lights, They Fall (2026)

The Lights, They Fall is a 2026 American action comedy film directed and co-written by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, who also serve as producers. The movie stars Ryan Reynolds, Kenneth Branagh, Maria Bakalova, Marcin Dorocinski, and David Morse. Originally titled Mayday, the film has also been released under alternative titles such as "Mayday Signal" and "Emergency Landing." It premiered at the AMC Lincoln Square in New York on September 1, 2026, before going global on Apple TV+ on September 4, 2026.

Set against the backdrop of the Cold War in 1987, the plot follows U.S. Navy pilot Captain Troy Kelly, whose plane is shot down during a secret reconnaissance mission into Soviet territory. After crash-landing in the Siberian wilderness, Kelly is discovered and aided by Nikolai Ustinov, a former KGB agent with a surprising affinity for American culture. Despite initial mistrust, the two form an unlikely alliance to evade pursuers and navigate the hostile environment while attempting to secure Kelly's extraction back to the United States.

Blending elements of action, thriller, adventure, and comedy, the film has received a PG-13 rating. Critics from The Hollywood Reporter have highlighted the infectious chemistry between leads Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh as a standout feature of the production. Filming took place across multiple international locations including Budapest, Montreal, and Southern France.

• Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh star as the opposing yet allied leads in this Cold War-era survival story.
• The film was produced by Skydance Media and released exclusively via Apple TV+ after its world premiere.
• Director John Francis Daley and writer Jonathan Goldstein previously collaborated on hit films like Vacation and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.
• The movie runs approximately 110 minutes and features a narrative driven by the cultural clash and eventual friendship between an American pilot and a Russian ex-agent.