With the arrival of summer, moviegoers have a better idea of what to look forward to throughout next year’s awards season. Director J.D. Dillard’s epic film on the Korean War, Devotion, is one to keep an eye out for. As of this writing, Sony Pictures has pushed back the release date of the Jonathan Majors-starring film by a month to November 23, from October 28. On Thanksgiving, the war picture is positioned right in the middle of the extended holiday weekend. Based on Adam Makos’ best-selling novel Devotion: An Epic Story of Heroism, Friendship, and Sacrifice, the film chronicles two of the Navy’s most decorated fighter pilots during a deadly conflict during the Korean War as they risk their lives to save each other and their country.
The revised release date was not revealed, but given how crowded November is, it might be an indication that Sony is confident in Devotion. With a stellar ensemble cast led by Majors, fresh off his breakout performances in Lovecraft Country and The Harder They Fall, and co-star Glen Powell, fresh off his blockbuster success in Top Gun: Maverick, where Powell played a pilot at the pinnacle of his profession, this is sure to be an exciting project. Christina Jackson, Thomas Sadoski, and Joe Jonas are also in the cast. Films like Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Amsterdam will compete with Devotion in the packed November movie lineup.
In particular, over Thanksgiving weekend, the military epic will premiere in competition with Steven Spielberg’s The Fablemans, Walt Disney’s Strange World, and Michael B. Jordan’s Creed 3. This is only in the cinemas, but Disenchanted will also be premiered on Disney+ during the same holiday weekend. Filmgoers can’t seem to resist a good war movie, despite an extraordinarily packed weekend of offerings. This high-octane, action-packed subgenre has produced some of cinema’s finest works in the previous half-century. One could go on and on with award-winning films like Apocalypse Now and Platoon to name just a few.
Devotion may or may not follow in the footsteps of these illustrious films, but this new war picture has all the makings of a hit. A fascinating dogfighting sequence, stunning visuals and an emotional connection between two pilots were all hinted at in the clip that was published earlier this year. If Top Gun has taught us anything, it’s that audiences will gobble up bromances that are well-told. Devotion has the potential to be a surprise Christmas success in November that also includes another Spielberg classic and a new Disney animated picture. It may be a contender for an award. While we wait for Devotion to open in theatres on November 23, here are some things to keep in mind.