Jeremy Allen White's transformation into Bruce Springsteen has finally hit the screen, and early reactions suggest it's a powerhouse performance. The film, Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 29, 2025, drawing crowds eager to see the "The Bear" star tackle the rock legend's turbulent creative period. Directed by Scott Cooper, the movie dives into the making of Springsteen's stark 1982 album Nebraska, a time when the Boss grappled with fame's heavy toll and personal demons.
White, no stranger to intense roles, nails Springsteen's gravelly intensity, even belting out those raw vocals in key scenes. Indeed, his preparation involved months of vocal coaching, turning what could have been mimicry into something eerily authentic. Teamed up with Jeremy Strong as manager Jon Landau, the duo captures that fraught partnership—Landau pushing Springsteen toward commercial breakthroughs while the artist clings to his solitary vision. Strong's portrayal, with those signature glasses and measured intensity, adds a layer of quiet urgency, reminding us how these two Jeremys bring their Emmy-winning chops to a story that's equal parts triumph and torment.
However, not everything's seamless. The film's focus on that specific 1982 chapter leaves some gaps in Springsteen's broader saga, potentially alienating casual fans who crave the full E Street Band spectacle. Still, clips from the New York premiere on September 29 showed White and the real Springsteen sharing a stage, a meta moment that blurred lines between actor and icon. Critics have praised the cinematography's moody Jersey Shore vibes, though a few whisper it's more introspective drama than rock 'n' roll romp.
Moreover, the October 24 theatrical release comes amid buzz from festival screenings, where audiences lauded White's ability to convey Springsteen's inner chaos without overplaying it. Strong, too, shines in quieter beats, his Landau a steady anchor in the storm. As the movie rolls out, it raises questions about how well Hollywood can bottle that elusive Springsteen magic—raw, unfiltered, and deeply American.
In the end, this biopic invites us to ponder what drives an artist to bare their soul on tape, even as the world clamors for more.