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Mystery drama

Mayday (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Mayday (2021) movie poster

Mayday is a 2021 mystery drama directed by Karen Cinorre, starring Grace Van Patten as Ana, Théodore Pellerin and Mia Goth. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $2.4 million worldwide. Critics gave it 54% on Rotten Tomatoes and 45 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.4/10. Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Fandango at Home Free, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
4.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
54%
worldwide gross
$2.4M
Echo Score
56
Mayday (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m (100 min)
Director
Karen Cinorre
Genres
Drama , Mystery , Fantasy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Mayday About?

The premise of Mayday without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Along a mystical coastline, Ana unexpectedly finds herself drawn into a realm of unending conflict. There, mysterious women wage a perpetual war, guiding their fates with captivating radio transmissions. Seeking refuge amongst these powerful sirens, Ana discovers a startling revelation about her own existence: she is not the intended target, but rather an unwitting participant in their dangerous and intricate game.

Mayday Themes & Keywords

· 37 tags
  • parallel universe
  • radio
  • submarine
  • gun
  • waitress
  • mayday
  • mayday the call for help
  • nato phonetic alphabet
  • radio signal
  • radio communication
  • aviator
  • airman
+25 more
  • magical realism
  • shooting
  • manhunt
  • human hunting a human
  • woman on man violence
  • murder
  • shot to death
  • throat slit
  • motorcycle
  • riding a motorcycle
  • two on a motorcycle
  • sea
  • underwater scene
  • soldier
  • abandoned submarine
  • fantasy versus reality
  • violence
  • voice over
  • title directed by female
  • f rated
  • one word title
  • killer
  • female protagonist
  • triple f rated
  • title spoken by character
Where to watch

Where to Watch Mayday

Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Fandango at Home Free, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Mayday Cast & Characters

Grace Van Patten leads the cast as Ana, with Théodore Pellerin as Dimitri and Mia Goth as Marsha. Directed by Karen Cinorre; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Mayday

· 6 more
Ratings

Mayday Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Mayday 54% on Rotten Tomatoes and 45 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 56/100, strongest in sensory experience (70) and weakest in story & flow (45).

56 /100

Mayday Echo Score Breakdown

Mayday elicits a mixed reaction, with critics and audiences admiring its visual ambition while lamenting its narrative shortcomings. The film showcases striking cinematography and inventive production design, yet the story often feels fragmented and over‑ambitious. Performances receive praise for energy and nuance, but character depth remains uneven. These contrasting elements result in a work that intrigues on first viewing but offers limited incentive for repeat engagement.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 55

    In terms of direction and visual craft, Mayday presents an imaginative palette and memorable imagery. Critics note the impressive photography and otherworldly visuals, while some condemn the abstract execution that never fully coalesces. Viewers also highlight strong camera work and a top‑notch setting. The overall effect is visually compelling but unevenly realized, leading to a modest appreciation of the film’s artistic ambition.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character work, the ensemble delivers moments of genuine intensity, with several performers described as scene‑stealers. Positive remarks focus on nuanced acting and a fiery principal cast. Conversely, criticism points to a lack of emotionally resonant arcs and characters that fail to sustain audience investment. The mixed feedback yields a slightly above‑average assessment of the film’s character and emotional impact.

  • Story & Flow 45

    Story and narrative flow emerge as the film’s weakest component. Reviewers repeatedly cite a fragmented plot, over‑ambitious premise, and pacing that undermines coherence. While some acknowledge a provocative premise that sparks interest, the overall consensus describes the tale as tangled and unsatisfying. This prevalent criticism drags the story score toward the lower end of the scale.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    Sensory experience stands out as a relative strength, with multiple sources praising the film’s visual style and atmospheric design. The soundtrack and sound design complement the fantasy aesthetic, and the cinematography is often described as beautiful. Though not universally highlighted, the sensory elements consistently receive positive remarks, supporting a higher score for this aspect.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    Rewatch potential is ambivalent. Some viewers find the film uniquely inspiring and cite its feminist themes as compelling reasons for a second look. Others, however, argue that narrative confusion and uneven execution diminish lasting appeal. This split perspective results in a middle‑range rating, reflecting modest repeat‑viewing interest.

Plot

Mayday Plot Summary

What happens in Mayday from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Ana is an integral part of a hotel staff alongside her friends: Dimitri, a DJ, and Max, the cook. Their dynamic shifts when they notice Marsha, a bride on the brink of her wedding, grappling with cold feet. As Ana faces the brutality of their cruel head waiter, an unexpected storm plunges the hotel into darkness, leading Ana to discover a mysterious voice calling out “mayday” in a modified NATO phonetic alphabet. Intrigued, she crawls into an oven, only to find herself falling into the ocean.

Full summary

The whole story of Mayday, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Mayday Box Office

Mayday grossed $2.4 million worldwide. $4,382 came from the US and Canada and $2.4 million (100%) from the rest of the world.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$2.4M

US & Canada
$4.4K
International
$2.4M
US & Canada 0% Rest of the world 100%
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Mayday?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What event causes Ana's world to turn upside down?

Details

Mayday Also Known As

5 alternative titles, including “求救信号” and “메이데이”.

Also known as
  • 求救信号
  • 메이데이
  • Сигнал бедствия
  • מיידיי - קריאת מצוקה
  • Мейдей

Seen Mayday?

FAQ

Mayday FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Mayday, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Mayday?

Mayday runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

When was Mayday released?

Mayday was released on October 1, 2021.

Who directed Mayday?

Mayday was directed by Karen Cinorre.

More films by Karen Cinorre

Who is in the cast of Mayday?

Mayday stars Grace Van Patten as Ana, Théodore Pellerin as Dimitri and Mia Goth as Marsha, among 10 credited actors.

Where can I watch Mayday?

In the US, Mayday is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Fandango at Home Free and Hoopla and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Mayday make at the box office?

Mayday grossed $2.4 million worldwide ($4,382 domestic, $2.4 million international).

How is Mayday rated?

Mayday has 4.4/10 on IMDb, 54% on Rotten Tomatoes, 45 on Metacritic and 3.0/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Mayday have a post-credit scene?

No. Mayday has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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