By John Corrado

Apple TV+ has released the first trailer for writer-director Steve McQueen’s Blitz, one of the year’s remaining awards contenders. This latest from the filmmaker behind Oscar-winner 12 Years a Slave, is a World War II drama set in London. Saoirse Ronan stars as Rita, a young mother trying to find her lost 9-year-old son George (Elliott Heffernan) during the raids. The film opens in select theatres on November 1st, before streaming on Apple TV+ on November 22nd.

I have high hopes for this considering McQueen’s track record. I’m almost getting a Spielberg feel from the trailer, which looks to have an element of kids adventure movie set against the terrifying backdrop of the war. The film appears to feature striking production design of war-torn London and an emotional supporting performance from Ronan, who, between this and her starring role in The Outrun, is shaping up to be a major Oscar contender this year.

I’m a little surprised this one didn’t show up at TIFF considering McQueen’s history with the festival (12 Years a Slave won the People’s Choice Award in 2013), but it will be fittingly premiering as the opening night film of the BFI London Film Festival on October 9th, before screening at the New York Film Festival. The full trailer is below, feel free to comment your thoughts once you have watched it!