Jeremy Allen White is used to playing complicated men (hi, The Bear), but stepping into Bruce Springsteen’s boots? That was a whole new kind of pressure. Taking on Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere—a film about the making of the Boss’s stark 1982 album Nebraska—meant learning to sing, play guitar, and even perform in front of Springsteen himself. “Daunting” is the word he keeps using—and after hearing the story, it fits.
Why he said yes (even though he’d never sung onstage)
“I had not had a lot of experience, or any experience, singing or playing guitar, so that was daunting to say the least in the beginning,”
“I remember Bruce was great the first time he heard one of my pre-records ’cause he was like, ‘You sound like me, but you’re singing the song, you’re making the song your own. You’ve got your connection to the song,”
The actor added, “I think once he gave me that permission, not just with the music, but in a sense the entirety of the film, I feel like that released me a little bit from the anxiety.”
White grew up with Springsteen’s music but had never really sung his songs until this role came along. Taking it meant a leap of faith—from him, from the filmmakers, and from Springsteen. He dove into vocal and guitar training, eventually recording the Nebraska tracks in a Nashville studio to find his footing. The goal wasn’t imitation; it was honesty.
Finding a voice—without “doing an impression”
Early on, White admits he tried too hard to sound like Springsteen. It didn’t click until he stopped chasing a perfect copy and focused on the feeling behind the songs. A big turning point? Getting encouragement from Springsteen, who urged him to make the performance his own. That vote of confidence helped White settle into a more truthful, emotionally grounded approach.
Performing for the Boss
Of all the nerves, nothing topped the idea of singing Springsteen’s music with the man in the room. White has called that prospect the scariest part of the job—but also the most rewarding. Springsteen and his longtime team didn’t just sign off; they opened the door, sharing insights and memories that shaped the performances on screen.
What the movie actually covers
Don’t expect a cradle-to-stadium biopic. Director Scott Cooper zeroes in on a narrow window: Springsteen alone with a four-track recorder, wrestling with the songs that became Nebraska. It’s a film about process, isolation, and the work of turning private doubts into art. Cooper has called it an “antibiopic” in spirit—intimate, unglamorous, and laser-focused on the music.
First reactions: a close, sometimes raw portrait
The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival with Springsteen in attendance, and early write-ups highlight White’s performance as a standout. Some critics note the movie’s restraint—by design, it’s a quiet snapshot, not a greatest-hits montage—but the consensus singles out White’s commitment and the authenticity of the details.
Getting the look, feel—and gravity—right
Beyond voice and guitar, White studied how Springsteen moves: posture, gait, and that low-slung center of gravity you see in photos from the era. Small choices—like lifts in the boots and higher-waisted pants—helped shift how his body carried itself, especially in simple scenes like leaning back in a diner booth. It’s the kind of physical specificity that makes a performance feel lived-in.
The real Springsteen’s fingerprints
Springsteen’s presence is felt throughout production—visiting set, talking with the team, and, crucially, giving notes that shaped White’s approach. Those conversations mattered: they’re the difference between an imitation and a portrait. Seeing the Boss embrace White on set—and later standing beside him at Telluride—says plenty about the trust built along the way.
When (and where) you can watch it
Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere is scheduled to hit theaters on October 24, 2025. Expect additional festival stops and Q&As along the way—this is the kind of film that plays well in a room with people who love talking about music, craft, and the stubborn work of making something honest.