On the cusp of global superstardom, New Jersey rocker Bruce Springsteen struggles to reconcile the pressures of success with the ghosts of his past as he records the album "Nebraska" in the early 1980s.
Director: Scott Cooper
Cast: Jeremy Allen White, Jeremy Strong, Paul Walter Hauser, Stephen Graham, Odessa Young
Release Date: October 24, 2025
Genre: Biography, Drama, Music
Rated PG-13 for thematic material, some sexuality, strong language, and smoking.
Runtime: 1h 59m
Review:
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere is a pensive, reflective look at a very specific moment in his career powered by an engrossing, tortured turn from Jeremy Allen White. Scott Cooper film possesses a melancholic melody to it that underwrites the whole thing. He tries his best to avoid the usual pitfalls of the musical biopic by delivering something more pensive and introspective as we follow Springsteen right before he truly becomes an icon. Flipping back and forth between the black and white past and the 80's as Springsteen works through the trauma of his past by working his way through a deeply personal demo. This approach allows us to watch him struggle with his complicated history with his father as he's on the precipice super stardom. It’s hard to avoid some of the more clichéd aspects of the genre especially in the flashback sequences but Cooper maintains a thoughtful approach to it all that gives it an air of authenticity that works in the film's favor. The pacing is methodical throughout as he lets every moment settle before providing a musical jolt of vibrant energy. Those musical numbers are stripped down which allows Jeremy Allen White to really show off an impressive set of pipes as he sings Springsteen's songs highlighted by a showstopper of a performance of Born in the USA. White though brings so much more to the role by giving it a soulful, guilt-ridden humanity to his performance that drives the film. It’s a fascinatingly subtle turn that gives you a window into the amount of turmoil simmering underneath with a revelatory moment in the film's final act finally allowing its release. Jeremy Strong as Jon Landau, Springsteen's manager, is equally impressive particularly when they both share the screen. Strong gives his character a tangible sense of steadfast belief and support throughout the film which leaves you wishing you had a friend like him. They bring so much to the roles that you can't help but feel their deep-rooted, lived-in connection onscreen, something sure to garner both their share of awards consideration when the time comes. Odessa Young also delivers strong work as the love interest but you are left feeling she could have brought so much more to the role if it had a tad more depth to it. Gaby Hoffmann, Paul Walter Hauser and Stephen Graham have small but pivotal supporting roles with each doing the most with their limited screentime. By the time it’s all said and done, Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere manages to stand on its own as a musical biopic thanks to its stars and its thoughtful approach to storytelling.
B+
