Netflix just added a mind-bending psychological drama movie — and it’s a surreal ride full of strange twists

Grace Van Patten in "Mayday" (2021) — (Image credit: Tjaša Kalkan / Magnolia Pictures)

At the start of a new week, I usually scroll through Netflix’s homepage to spot any upcoming titles not listed in its monthly slate, and this time I noticed “Mayday” sitting in the “coming soon” row. It’s a movie I hadn’t heard of before, despite its recognizable cast and intriguing premise. Part psychological drama, part fantasy, “Mayday” is a compelling little flick that could easily become the streamer’s next trending hit now that it’s available to watch.

“Mayday” isn’t your average drama, thanks to its fantastical elements and strong focus on fractured reality. You could even compare it to “Alice in Wonderland,” as the protagonist slips out of her ordinary world and into a surreal, dreamlike landscape that feels disorienting. This drama, however, strips away the whimsy and drops viewers into something far more stark and unsettling, even if it occasionally feels a touch too ambitious.

Safe to say this drama was a pleasant surprise. If you’re looking for something unique to stream on Netflix this week, or a strange little movie you may have missed, here’s why “Mayday” deserves a spot on your watchlist.

What is ‘Mayday’ about?

Mayday - Official Trailer - YouTube

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Ana (Grace Van Patten) works at a hotel alongside her friends, but a sudden storm cuts power and draws her into a mysterious sequence of events. Following a strange voice spelling out “mayday,” she crawls into an oven and plunges into the ocean, waking on an unfamiliar shore with no memory of how she arrived. There she meets Marsha (Mia Goth), a confident woman she once knew, and together they discover a rugged coastline where a group of women live in a beached submarine and claim to be fighting a war.

Welcomed into their ranks, Ana trains with them and proves skilled with a rifle, joining their efforts to send out false distress signals to lure men to the island. As she adapts to this harsh new environment, Ana begins to question her place among the soldiers and faces difficult choices about her role and whether she truly belongs in this strange world.

‘Mayday’ is a hypnotic and strikingly surreal movie

Soko, Grace Van Patten and Havana Rose Liu in "Mayday" (2021) — (Image credit: Tjaša Kalkan / Magnolia Pictures)

Written and directed by Karen Cinorre in her feature debut, “Mayday” is a compelling movie that, despite its tangled plot and weak ending, you can’t help but be swept up in this strange world. Fantasy can play a meaningful role in our lives because, beyond simple escapism, it can help us make sense of the world and even inspire the resilience needed to face life’s relentless struggles. Traditionally, though, most fantasy stories about struggle and power center on male characters, while fantasy aimed at women often leans on “damsel in distress” tropes.

Cinorre seeks to shift that dynamic, presenting a fantasy story focused on, about, and starring young women. The movie deliberately disrupts conventional genre rules and narrative expectations, which can be frustrating at times, but its bold, unorthodox approach is ultimately refreshing. It’s here we follow Ana, a young woman working at a hotel, who, after a strange storm and mysterious call, finds herself transported to a coastline. She meets a group of hardened women led by Marsha and joins them as they train as sharpshooters in a seemingly endless war against male soldiers.

Mia Goth, Grace Van Patten, Soko, and Havana Rose Liu in "Mayday" (2021) — (Image credit: Tjaša Kalkan / Magnolia Pictures)

“Mayday” is undeniably imaginative, with characters that feel like mythological Greek sirens and visuals so uncanny they keep you hooked. “Tell Me Lies” star Grace Van Patten and “Frankenstein”’s Mia Goth naturally shine, and alongside Soko and Havana Rose Liu, this ensemble is especially memorable.

However, the movie becomes overly ambitious in its third act, leaning heavily on its themes and metaphors at the expense of a coherent narrative and satisfying conclusion. If you can tolerate a flat ending and somewhat messy plotting, this drama remains an intriguing watch.

I’d even challenge its Rotten Tomatoes score of 54%. The critic’s consensus reads: “Viewers may not be left sending out distress calls, but despite interesting ideas and a solid setup, Mayday leaves a frustrating amount of potential untapped.” While that’s fair, I’d argue that Cinorre’s drama offers a fun, fantasy ride that tackles important issues around violence and what it means to truly choose one’s path.

Stream "Mayday" on Netflix now

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Alix is a Senior Streaming Writer at Tom’s Guide, which basically means watching the best movies and TV shows and then writing about them. It’s a dream job for someone who’s been obsessed with storytelling since she first figured out how to work a remote.

Before joining Tom’s Guide, Alix honed her skills as a staff writer with outlets like Screen Rant and Bough Digital, where she discovered her love for the entertainment industry.

She heads to the cinema every week as a tradition, no matter what’s showing. For her, movies aren’t just entertainment — they’re a ritual, a comfort, and a constant source of inspiration. When she’s not at her desk or at the cinema, you’ll probably find her deep into a horror video game on her PC.

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