When the first reviews for Deliver Me from Nowhere trickled out of the Telluride Film Festival in September 2025, the buzz was immediate: Jeremy Allen White, best known for his roles in Shameless and The Bear, had delivered a transformative performance as Bruce Springsteen. With the film’s release set for October 24, anticipation is mounting—not just from die-hard Springsteen fans, but from anyone interested in the story behind one of rock’s most haunting albums, Nebraska.
White’s journey to embodying ‘The Boss’ was no small feat. According to Far Out Magazine, he immersed himself in Springsteen’s music and life, even sharing his personal favorite Springsteen track with the Los Angeles Times. "Probably 'My Father’s House'. It seemed like a warning for me," White revealed. "There’s regret in it. What I heard is a song about a young man not wanting to regret that he didn’t reach out for his father, who he had a love and connection with earlier. There was an immediacy to it, which you then see with Bruce and his father in the film."
That song, from the 1982 album Nebraska, is emblematic of the album’s somber, stripped-down sound and its themes of loss, longing, and working-class struggle. As Digital Journal notes, Nebraska was recorded on a four-track recorder in Springsteen’s New Jersey bedroom—a raw, haunted acoustic record populated by lost souls searching for a reason to believe. The film, directed by Scott Cooper, chronicles this pivotal moment in Springsteen’s life, exploring not only the creation of the album but the personal demons that fueled it.
Jeremy Strong, the Succession star known for his immersive approach to acting, takes on the role of Jon Landau, Springsteen’s longtime manager, friend, and creative partner. On The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on September 25, Strong described the surreal experience of performing with both Springsteen and Landau present on set nearly every day. "Jon has been a friend, mentor, manager, producer, co-pilot for nearly 50 years," Strong explained. When Colbert joked about Strong’s method acting—wondering if Strong even noticed Landau was there—Strong quipped, "And in a way, if Jon Landau… if I’m Jon Landau, who’s that guy over there?"
The film’s authenticity is further bolstered by its cast’s dedication to their roles. Johnny Cannizzaro, who plays Steven Van Zandt (also known as Little Steven), described his preparation as both a dream come true and a deep dive into the nuances of Van Zandt’s musical style and personality. In an interview with Digital Journal, Cannizzaro recounted meeting Van Zandt for breakfast and letting their conversation flow naturally. He also worked closely with a guitar coach, Larry Saltzman, to master Van Zandt’s distinctive playing style. "The more you watch him, the more you notice these little intricacies about how he handles the guitar. So, I really wanted to try to nail those as best I could," Cannizzaro said.
The camaraderie among the cast mirrored the real-life relationships in Springsteen’s E Street Band. Cannizzaro recalled a memorable first day at the Power Station recording studio, where Jeremy Allen White, in character as Springsteen, greeted him with an arm around his shoulder—echoing the brotherly bond between Bruce and Stevie. "It made me feel so much more at ease. So, I really respect the fact that he did that," Cannizzaro said, adding, "Jeremy is phenomenal in this film. Jeremy sounds amazing and he looks amazing. I just can’t wait for people to see him in this role."
Filming at the legendary Power Station studio in Manhattan added another layer of realism. According to Billboard, White had to perform "Born in the U.S.A." at the very studio where Springsteen originally recorded the iconic track—while both Springsteen and Landau watched. The pressure was immense, but it speaks to the film’s commitment to honoring its subject matter and the era it depicts.
At its core, Deliver Me from Nowhere is not your typical biopic. As Cannizzaro put it, "It’s really a story that delves deep into a really dark time in Bruce’s life." The screenplay, he reflected, taught him that even the most successful artists grapple with depression and self-doubt. "When you see someone as prominent as Bruce Springsteen going through the same thing, it teaches you that you are not alone in this crazy creative journey that you are on." He hopes audiences walk away feeling less alone and understanding that "the dark times don’t have to be what define you, essentially."
Jeremy Strong echoed these sentiments in his conversation with Colbert, describing the film as "a movie about integrity and authenticity and healing." He noted that the story zeroes in on a period in 1982 when Springsteen was, in Strong’s words, "trying to find, in James Baldwin’s words, ‘an honest place to stand.’" Strong, a self-professed Springsteen superfan, shared that he played "If I Should Fall Behind" at his own wedding and called Nebraska an album he’s "always loved."
The production itself was surprisingly intimate for a big studio film. Cannizzaro praised director Scott Cooper and the crew for creating a welcoming, close-knit environment, even with the high stakes and star power involved. "That starts at the top, from the DP to the director and writer (Scott Cooper was both). They were able to make everyone feel at home and so welcome," he said.
As the film’s release approaches, excitement is building not just for its performances but for its unflinching portrayal of a legendary artist at a crossroads. Springsteen’s relationship with his father, his struggles with mental health, and his quest for meaning all come to the fore—underscored by the music that has inspired generations. The film’s focus on Nebraska, a record that was never intended as a commercial juggernaut but has become a touchstone for authenticity and vulnerability, is a bold choice that sets it apart from more conventional music biopics.
For Jeremy Allen White, Jeremy Strong, Johnny Cannizzaro, and the rest of the cast and crew, Deliver Me from Nowhere represents more than just a career milestone. It’s a chance to honor the spirit of Bruce Springsteen and the universal struggles that shaped his art. As audiences prepare to experience the film, one thing is clear: this is a story about finding hope, even in the darkest of times.
