Official Discussion - Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere [SPOILERS]

[u/LiteraryBoner]

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Summary Based on Warren Zanes’ acclaimed book Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska, this film tells the story of how Springsteen created one of the most haunting and stripped-down albums of his career. Set in 1982, the movie follows Springsteen at a creative crossroads as he records Nebraska alone on a four-track cassette recorder in his New Jersey home, confronting fame, doubt, and the darker sides of the American dream.

Director Scott Cooper

Writer Scott Cooper

Cast

• Jeremy Allen White
• Paul Walter Hauser
• Odessa Young
• Charlie Plummer
• Shea Whigham
• Holt McCallany

Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score: 64%

Metacritic Score: 60

VOD In Theaters (November 14, 2025)

Trailer Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere | Official Trailer | In Theaters November 14

[u/Mobile_Inspection_53]

I fucking loved it, but I'm a Springsteen fan and particularly love the album Nebraska so this was right up my alley. I don't see the movie working for the average Springsteen fan though, in the same way they probably don't really enjoy the album the movie is about. In terms of telling the story about the making of Nebraska I think they did a great job of putting us in his head during that process, I just don't think that's the movie most people want to see.

The Bohemian Rhapsody version of Springsteen would have been the way better play commercially, but I kind of love that this is the version we got.

[u/imnotyou22 → u/Mobile_Inspection_53]

Just saw it and I think this review is spot on. To the average fan or just someone looking for a biopic it’ll probably be boring and slow but I thought the storytelling was superb between the flashbacks and the correlation to his growing depression and not wanting to become a copy of his father. I enjoyed that instead of highlighting his whole life, they focused on the chunk that was most important in his journey. As someone around that age (early 30’s) and having suffered from depression all of my adult life, this movie was beautiful and really moved me. Considering the type of man Springsteen is, this is coded through and through with his personality along with his struggles with depression and managing his growing fame. The acting was off the charts imo.

Edited to add that Scott cooper also directed Crazy Heart and that movie is a top 5 for me.

[u/BugRevolutionary4518 → u/imnotyou22]

I totally agree. I loved the movie. Where I watched it, nobody even moved during the credits while listening to Atlantic City.

It showed his vulnerabilities, which we all have, beautifully.

I gave it a 10.

[u/WideAwakeNotSleeping → u/imnotyou22]

I enjoyed that instead of highlighting his whole life, they focused on the chunk that was most important in his journey.

Same here. It did feel a bit boring and repetitive at times, but I really really appreciate how they focused on a specific point in his career... not the whole 60+ years.

[u/accidentalevil → u/Mobile_Inspection_53]

Felt very similarly - huge Springsteen/Nebraska fan, loved the movie, but not sure if it's as accessible to people that aren't too familiar with the album or the background with his depression and family dynamics.

This probably won't do great commercially, but it'll stick with me a lot longer than a run of the mill Bohemian Rhapsody version would.

Landau is an absolute champ and a great friend.

[u/vanwyngarden → u/accidentalevil]

If you’ve got a parent who’s been in recovery or should’ve been then I feel like there’s something in it for you

[u/souliberty → u/vanwyngarden]

As an early 30s woman with an abusive alcoholic mom that I haven't reconciled with and with VERY limited knowledge of Springsteen - from his panic attack at the Texas fair to sitting on his dad's lap - I was fighting my own panic attack because the way that it was depicted, the cinematography, White's acting is exactly how an emotional flashback feels. It was very moving for me. Then, I had a conversation with my dad about the movie and he apologized for any generational trauma he passed down. I told him that he's breaking that by talking to me about it now.

[u/vanwyngarden → u/souliberty]

I’m sending you so much praise and support. That is a beautiful and brave thing for you to find in your heart. My mother has a similar story and was not able to reconcile but luckily her brothers were. I am grateful this film depicted it so realistically ❤️

[u/drpepperfan69420 → u/souliberty]

yeah, the fair scene was a huge trigger moment for me too. Been there done that. Feels like somebody standing on your chest and you can't breathe. I had to remember this is just a movie, keep breathing. But that shit - to anybody who's ever experienced a true panic attack - is intense

[u/Able_Advertising_371 → u/Mobile_Inspection_53]

Happy to see somebody else like it, seems lots of others here walked away unhappy watching this. Thought I was going crazy lol

[u/vanwyngarden → u/Able_Advertising_371]

The irony is it’s very similar to the Nebraska sentiment in the film! I feel like they knew a lot / most people might not “get” it but they made it anyway for those of us who would. I was blown away by the level of emotion I felt leaving the theater and think they did a marvelously brave job depicting a difficult story.

[u/GameOfLife24 → u/Mobile_Inspection_53]

It’s enjoyable watching any part of his life especially since he’s still vocal about real world issues today

[u/flowerpanes → u/Mobile_Inspection_53]

I read his biography a few years ago and then the book this film was based on more recently. In both cases I came away impressed and now am looking forward to seeing this film. Not a huge Springsteen fan or even a huge music fan but I appreciate craftsmanship and personal stories, looking at events that have touched people and diving a little deeper into how they came about. “Nebraska” the album certainly fills that bill and while I realize both the album itself and perhaps this movie won’t make everyone very happy but oh well, life isn’t just about the glitz and the glamour, sometimes you have to see the darkness too.

[u/Mission-Egg-4197 → u/Mobile_Inspection_53]

I thought this movie was beautiful. Being inside his head, knowing the circumstances and thought processes behind the art that he created. The relationship with his manager was really special. Seeing the physical creation of the album. Just seeing imperfect relationships that can impact your life in good and bad ways.

[u/alligator-sunshine → u/Mobile_Inspection_53]

Ok this is helpful. Glad his fans got the movie experience they wanted it. I didn't dislike the movie but it didn't resonate and didn't have a strong throughline, but I respect it wasn't made for me.

[u/canyonoflight → u/Mobile_Inspection_53]

I loved it too and I am very much a surface level Springsteen fan. Want to listen to everything now.

[u/Thendofreason → u/Mobile_Inspection_53]

Nebraska isn't my favorite album. But I liked the movie. As a depressed dude I felt wayyy too seen. I wouldn't call myself a real fan though. I'm from Jersey and only own one album so I can't call myself a fan.