Steve McQueen’s much-anticipated film Blitz, starring Saoirse Ronan and newcomer Elliott Heffernanhas, premiered to packed audiences at the BFI London and New York Film Festivals. It also opened in select theatres yesterday, Nov 1, and will be streaming on Apple TV+ on November 22. The film promises to redefine depictions of London during the 1940-41 bombings, offering audiences a powerful view of how ordinary lives were irrevocably changed. Known for his work on 12 Years a Slave and Small Axe, Academy Award-winning McQueen dives deeply into the human toll of war, portraying a resilience often glossed over by historical clichés.
Blitz follows nine-year-old George, played by Elliott Heffernan, on a perilous journey through London’s bomb-ravaged streets in search of his mother, Rita, portrayed by Saoirse Ronan. His story unfolds as his mother tirelessly searches for him in the ruins of their East London neighbourhood. Unlike typical war dramas that focus on soldiers and military leaders, McQueen’s Blitz highlights the resilience of civilians — specifically working-class Londoners — as they struggle to hold onto hope and each other amid chaos.
In Blitz, Steve McQueen captures the nuances of a time and place often simplified in history books. The Blitz spirit — the widely celebrated unity and courage of Londoners during the bombings — is usually portrayed as a single, unbreakable force. Yet, Steve McQueen brings a more human and complex take. According to historian Joshua Levine, who advised on the film, McQueen explores the heroism and the darker sides of wartime London. “The Blitz spirit was real,” says Levine, “but it wasn’t the whole story.” There were acts of extraordinary kindness, but there were also looting and crime — facets that McQueen presents with refreshing honesty.
An essential feature of Blitz is its focus on underrepresented voices. The young protagonist, George, played by Elliott Heffernan, is a mixed-race child navigating a predominantly white, imperial society. His journey introduces audiences to Ife, a Nigerian air raid warden inspired by the real-life Ita Ekpenyon, who contended with both bombs and pervasive xenophobia. Through George and Ife’s experiences, McQueen provides a poignant reminder of the era’s social complexities, celebrating resilience and diversity, often overlooked in depictions of WWII London.
McQueen’s attention to detail also brings London’s multi-ethnic neighbourhoods to life, from the Limehouse Chinatown to Caribbean social clubs near the docks. “London wasn’t the cosmopolitan city it is today,” Levine notes, “but it was more diverse than we often remember, especially during the war.” This setting grounds Blitz as a richly textured historical piece that goes beyond superficial depictions of Londoners standing defiantly in the face of bombs.
The film is complemented by its remarkable cast, with Saoirse Ronan bringing emotional depth to Rita’s journey. Newcomer Elliott Heffernan captures George’s courage and fear with striking authenticity. Alongside them, Harris Dickinson, Kathy Burke, and Stephen Graham deliver compelling performances as characters who, in different ways, reveal the harsh realities of life under siege.
In many ways, Blitz feels like McQueen’s homage to the community spirit that would shape post-war Britain, ultimately inspiring reforms like the welfare state and NHS. However, it’s also a love story — not just between family members separated by war, but between the people and their city. “This is a film about love,” McQueen said at the London premiere. “It’s the only thing worth living for and dying for.”
Steve McQueen’s Blitz is an unforgettable depiction of London’s darkest hours and offers a moving, multifaceted portrait of the human spirit. Opened in select theatres on November 1 and streaming on Apple TV+ on November 22, Blitz promises to resonate as both a historical reminder and a powerful narrative of resilience.
