3 Years Later, HBO’s 81%-Rated War Movie Ends up Topping the Chart

There are many movies that deal with war in some way, and it's not easy to find two with similar stories. However, there are some war-related topics that are usually more popular in the cinema, and some that are less explored.

HBO's Devotion offers a glimpse into the latter.

The film, directed by J.D. Dillard, premiered in 2022 and starred Jonathan Majors and Glen Powell as Jesse Brown, the first African-American naval aviator, and Glen Powell as Jesse's fellow pilot Tom Hudner. The film revolves around the emotional story of two U.S. Navy fighter pilots during the Korean War and the close bond that develops between them.

Devotion follows the heroes' courage, struggles, and sacrifices during a pivotal time in American military history. In addition to showing the connection between the two men as they fight together against the enemy, the film also tackles the issue of racial prejudice.

Jesse Brown's story as a pioneer in the Navy takes center stage, while Hudner's commitment to him is marked by extraordinary acts of bravery, most notably Hudner's bold rescue attempt that saved Brown's life in a terrifying crash.

Although the movie wasn’t a blockbuster hit when it initially released, its critical reception was great, securing an 81% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised the film’s heartfelt performances and the profound depiction of the Korean War’s lesser-known history.

“I personally enjoyed the movie, some of the acting and editing is questionable but other than that it was a great movie! And better yet, they filmed with real F4U Corsairs and F8F Bearcats which is why I think it deserves more credit. Now this could just me being an aviation enthusiast disappointed with Devotion’s flop, but the fact that they used REAL Corsairs and Bearcats which were actually used at the time is amazing” Redditor Unlucky-Constant-736 said.

It seems that 3 years later, the movie has managed to capture attention again, topping the streaming charts and becoming number 1 on HBO. The brilliant performances from the main cast and the overall exploration of a forgotten story makes it perfect for the fans of the genre.