In an intimate interview with BBC Radio 2 on Wednesday, Bruce Springsteen opened up about his feelings towards Stephen Graham’s portrayal of his father, Douglas Frederick “Dutch” Springsteen, in the upcoming biopic Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere. The film delves into the making of Springsteen’s iconic 1982 album Nebraska, a period marked by personal turmoil, artistic discovery, and family challenges.

Springsteen, known for his openness about his past struggles, reflected on the impact his father’s struggles with alcoholism and bipolar disorder had on their relationship. When asked about Graham’s portrayal, he was deeply moved, calling the actor’s performance “so close” to the man he remembered.

“Stephen’s such an incredible actor, and he just immediately inhabited my father’s physicality and inner emotion,” Springsteen shared. “He captured my dad’s struggles and spirit really well.”

The film explores the complexities of Springsteen’s upbringing, a subject that has been integral to his music throughout his career. The portrayal of his father in the biopic provides a window into the turbulent household that shaped many of the themes of alienation, frustration, and longing present in Nebraska — one of Springsteen’s most revered albums.

For Springsteen, the accuracy and depth of Graham’s performance were not just a reflection of his father’s character, but an act of honoring his family’s history. It’s clear that, for the Boss, the film isn’t just about musical milestones but about confronting the deeply personal forces that shaped his life and art.

As the biopic is set to reveal the emotional heart behind Springsteen’s iconic Nebraska, it also shows how the artist has reconciled his painful past with the art that came from it. Through Stephen Graham’s portrayal, fans will gain an even deeper understanding of the struggles and love that defined Springsteen’s journey.