Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere 

(dir.Scott Cooper)

By: Nick Zednik

Depression doesn’t define a person. As an illustration of depression’s unbiased grip, even the mighty Bruce Springsteen can suffer from depression at the height of superstardom. Depression is also the backbone for 20th Century Studios latest, Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, a meditative biopic on a larger than life singer-songwriter. 

Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere isn’t the traditional music biopic with audacious concert sequences. Instead, it focuses on a specific dark and pivotal time in Bruce’s life, one which saw a creative turning point in his career and personal life. The film serves as an internal chamber piece as Bruce not only battles his demons, but struggles to understand them, let alone fight them. Knowing that he’ll find light at the end of the tunnel, given how he’s thriving today, takes nothing away from the emotion and pain audiences feel for his suffering. Only briefly do audiences glimpse into the darkness that clouds The Boss through flashbacks with his abusive father, a love once shared, or the bond with his mother. The film kicks off like an encore at a concert with Bruce Springsteen closing out his world tour with “Born to Run” that brings the house down. A tiresome Bruce defies pressure to record the next hit single and reconvenes to his New Jersey home where inspiration awaits to record the infamous “Nebraska” album. Director Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart) zeroes in on Bruce tapping into something raw and powerful by offering a side of himself that’s new to the public. Audiences realize how deeply personal it is that Bruce preserves the integrity of the sound as recorded.

Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) was ‘born to run’ to the role of Bruce Springsteen by superbly capturing the essence of The Boss in a way that’s beyond appearance. White taps into the core of Springsteen at his most vulnerable. Most impressive, White does his own singing and is spectacular at not just imitating the musical icon. A nomination for Best Actor at the Academy Awards is more than deserved. Jeremy Strong (Succession) is more subdued as Jon Landau, but captures the spirit of Bruce’s most loyal confidant. Odessa Young (Black Rabbit) brings warmth and spunk to the love interest role. Gaby Hoffman (Field of Dreams) is impactful as the mother behind Bruce’s love for dancing. Stephen Graham (Adolescence) is the emotional catalyst for Bruce as a father reflecting on the trauma he may have caused his son and the pride he has in him. Paul Walter Hauser (Richard Jewel) is amusing as the guitar tech who first got to hear the Nebraska album recorded in its truest form.

Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere does its best to avoid the trappings of biopic cliches. Bruce Springsteen was a man with a rocket strapped to his back, but always felt restrained. It’s how the film captures a lost man that really knocks the audience’s socks off. It’s remarkable how the film clocks in under 2 hours and offers a fuller understanding of a musical legend without needing the complete life story. The entertainment value may vary, but it’s sure to leave viewers who can relate to its personal message in a sobbing mess.

Nick’s Pick: 8/10 Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere is the ultimate hard launch of Jeremy Allen White, the movie star and one of 2025’s superb offerings.