The 2025 biopic Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere is a compelling but imperfect tribute to the legendary Bruce Springsteen, blending his musical journey with dramatic moments from his life. While it’s a film that no true Springsteen fan will want to miss, the experience leaves a bittersweet aftertaste, especially for those who hoped for a more polished product.
The film excels in its portrayal of Springsteen’s music—an essential aspect of any biopic about the rock icon. The soundtrack is a standout, and the musical scenes where Jeremy Allen White, playing Springsteen, picks up his iconic Fender Telecaster and belts out some of Springsteen’s greatest hits, are some of the most exhilarating moments. Whether it’s the raw energy of Born to Run or the soulful power of Nebraska, the music is where the film truly shines. One particularly beautiful scene shows White recording Nebraska, capturing the song’s haunting mood perfectly with a well-paced, beautifully shot sequence.
White, known for his exceptional performances in Shameless and The Bear, delivers a solid portrayal of Bruce Springsteen. While the actor doesn’t share a striking resemblance to the Boss (though he does look the part during the musical performances), his emotional depth and raw energy bring Springsteen to life. White excels in moments where the camera lingers on him, and without words, you can feel the intensity of his character’s inner turmoil and growth. It’s clear that White has a deep understanding of Springsteen’s struggle and joy, and he embodies the role with sensitivity and power.
Jeremy Strong, who plays Springsteen’s producer Jon Landau, complements White’s performance perfectly. His more restrained, quiet approach to acting offers a balanced contrast to White’s emotional intensity. Their interactions on screen are some of the film’s best, showcasing the camaraderie and professional tension that helped propel Springsteen into stardom. However, I do wish there had been more screen time for these two to develop their dynamic further, as their performances together elevate the film.
Despite strong performances, the film suffers from uneven writing and pacing. The movie occasionally drags, especially during the second half. There are a few poorly executed exposition-heavy scenes, notably those between Landau and his wife, that feel redundant and slow the story to a halt. These moments dump information the audience could have easily inferred, wasting precious screen time and undermining the film’s otherwise organic storytelling.
The flashbacks to Springsteen’s childhood, while deeply emotional and well-acted, sometimes feel out of place. They often appear at odd moments, interrupting the flow of Springsteen’s present-day story, which breaks the immersion. While the scenes with his father, a central emotional element of Springsteen’s journey, are impactful, they occasionally feel disconnected from the overall pacing of the film.
Is It Worth Seeing?
For Springsteen fans, the answer is a resounding yes. The music, the acting, and the emotional depth of the performances make Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere a must-watch. The flaws in writing and pacing can be overlooked by those who are drawn to the raw emotion and authenticity that this film brings to the table. For non-fans, the uneven pacing and lack of cohesion may make it harder to fully connect, but the music and White’s performance are strong enough to hold attention.
Overall, Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere is a film with great potential, marred slightly by pacing issues and the occasional misstep in writing. Still, it stands as an honest and passionate attempt to capture the essence of one of music’s greatest icons. Three stars out of five feels like an appropriate rating—an imperfect yet heartfelt portrayal of the Boss’s journey that ultimately captures his spirit, if not always his full story.
