(Updated 11/14/2022)
2022 is the best year in a long time for those who love airplane movies. First, there was TOP GUN: MAVERICK, and now comes DEVOTION, a movie set in the Korean War. DEVOTION follows Jesse Brown, the first Black Naval aviator, and fellow pilot Tom Hudner. (And both MAVERICK and DEVOTION, surprisingly, feature Glen Powell.)
DEVOTION, starring Jonathan Majors, is set to be one of this fall's big Thanksgiving releases following a splashy premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. The film's final trailer is out and it looks spectacular.
Watch the Impressive Devotion Trailer
What a good trailer! There's a big TOP GUN vibe in the aerial footage, and it makes sense that the trailer would be cut to emphasize any similarities, given how popular MAVERICK has been. But the throughline of heroism and a clear sense of camaraderie between the characters played by Jonathan Majors and Glen Powell are the biggest selling points.
You can see DEVOTION exclusively in movie theatres beginning on November 23.
Is Devotion a True Story?
It certainly is! DEVOTION is based on the similarly titled book by Adam Makos. Jesse Brown and Tom Hudner were very much real people, and their actions depicted in the movie took place. (Though as with most "true story" movies, we expect a few instances of dramatic license being used.)
We won't tell you how things worked out in real life or even point out details about Makos's book so as not to reveal too much about the movie. It's enough to know that DEVOTION aims to tell the true story of these two pilots. Glen Powell recently said, "Over 6 years ago I read the book “Devotion” and from the moment I finished it, I wanted the world to experience this story."
A Rare Korean War Movie
The DEVOTION trailer references "America's forgotten war," and when it comes to movie subjects the Korean War certainly qualifies. There are not many American movies about the war, with MASH, The Bridges at Toko-Ri, Pork Chop Hill, and The Steel Helmet as the standouts — and with the exception of MASH, they're all from the 1950s! (The Korean War was a more frequent subject in the '50s, with at least a few movies about the conflict each year.) There are quite a few recent South Korean-made movies about the war, but they are more difficult to find in the US.
For that fact alone, DEVOTION stands out. There hasn't been a major American movie about the Korean War since FOR THE BOYS in 1991!
A Welcome Starring Role for Jonathan Majors
Jonathan Majors projects a deep sense of presence that makes his age difficult to gauge, but he's only 32 — and his acting career only began five years ago. But he left a lasting impression in THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO and anchored important roles in Spike Lee's DA 5 BLOODS and the HBO series "Lovecraft Country," among others. And, of course, Majors played He Who Remains, aka a version of Kang the Conquerer, in "Loki" and will play Kang in multiple Marvel projects starting with ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA.
Before the Marvel ball really gets rolling, however, it's nice to see Majors in a role that will challenge him in ways a Marvel movie might not. This will also give him a chance to reach audiences that might not have seen some of his previous projects. Chances are, Majors will be one of the most important actors working for the rest of the 2020s.
Majors isn't alone in DEVOTION. Not only is Glen Powell on hand to play his wingman, but this movie has a Jonas Brother! Joe Jonas plays a role, and the cast also features Christina Jackson, Thomas Sadoski, Serinda Swan, Rossy de Palma, Daren Kagasoff, Nick Hargrove, and Spencer Neville.
DEVOTION opens on November 23.
All images courtesy of Sony Pictures.