Actor Ryan Reynolds has drawn criticism after describing the 1980s as a "brutal" decade and a "f—ing mess" during an interview promoting his new Apple TV+ film "Mayday", a Cold War-era buddy comedy. Commentators noted an apparent contradiction, since his own film leans on nostalgic depictions of the same period, prompting accusations that he misrepresented a decade many regard positively.

Critics including film writer Christian Toto, Republican delegate Lisa Cusack, television personality Spencer Pratt and commentator Dan Bongino pushed back, citing the decade's cultural highlights, economic growth and Cold War milestones such as the fall of the Berlin Wall. Some also linked the row to broader concerns about Hollywood's standing with American audiences, referencing recent data showing the US entertainment industry has shed roughly 49,000 jobs since 2022, with Los Angeles production activity down nearly 30% since 2019.