Jeremy Allen White, fresh off his Emmy-winning run as a stressed-out chef in The Bear, is now embodying the Boss himself in the upcoming film Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere. The movie, directed by Scott Cooper, dives into the gritty making of Bruce Springsteen's 1982 album Nebraska, a raw solo effort that captured the musician's inner turmoil just as fame loomed large. White, with his gravelly voice and intense gaze, slips into Springsteen's skin during a pivotal moment of creative isolation and personal doubt.
Indeed, the trailer dropped back in June, showing White strumming a guitar in dimly lit rooms, his rendition of Springsteen's tunes drawing immediate buzz. Jeremy Strong, known for his sharp portrayal of corporate sharks in Succession, plays Jon Landau, Springsteen's longtime manager and confidant. Their on-screen dynamic hints at the deep bond that helped navigate the rocker's mental health struggles amid rising stardom. However, it's White's transformation that steals the show—pale skin, tousled hair, and that unmistakable Jersey edge.
The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 29, earning positive whispers from critics who praised its intimate focus over bombastic rock spectacle. By early October, a New York City premiere brought out Springsteen himself, posing alongside White in a rare show of endorsement. Moreover, White has shared in interviews how diving into Springsteen's panic attacks mirrored his own pressures, adding a layer of authenticity that's hard to fake. The movie hits theaters on October 24, just weeks away, promising to blend music, drama, and a touch of melancholy.
Yet, one wonders if this biopic can truly capture the elusive spirit of an artist who's always sung about the working man's ache without ever fully revealing his own. Strong's Landau comes across as the steady hand, but it's White's vulnerable intensity that might just make this more than another celebrity imitation. As the release nears, audiences are left pondering what it means to deliver someone from nowhere when the road ahead feels endlessly uncertain.