Bruce Springsteen personally delivered his unconventional and highly emotional biopic "Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere" on Friday night at the Telluride Film Festival. Before a crowd of global cinephiles, well-to-do locals (Oprah!) and industry elites, The Boss showed in person to mark the 20th Century Studios film's world premiere — led by "The Bear" Emmy winner Jeremy Allen White. More from Variety Ethan Hawke's Telluride Tribute and Previous Oscar Misses Boost His Best Actor Bid for 'Blue Moon' Why 'Ballad of a Small Player' Director Edward Berger Wanted to Create a 'Pop Opera Full of Humor, Drama and Contradictions' Paul Mescal, Jeremy Allen White, Elle Fanning Kick Off Telluride With Splendor and Schmoozing on the Mountain Telluride executive director Julie Huntsinger wrestled back tears introducing Scott Cooper, who adapted the script and directed the project. The filmmaker shared a bit about his personal relationship with Springsteen. The legendary rocker housed Cooper, his wife and children in January during the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. "I want my house back," Springsteen joked in his own very brief remarks ahead of the screening, which featured Oscar nominee Jeremy Strong as longtime Springsteen manager Jon Landau. Cooper also discussed his decision to put White in the snug-fitting jeans of the film's subject. "He had two qualities I know from Bruce," Cooper told the audience at the Werner Herzog Theater. "The first is humility and the other is swagger. They don't teach swagger at Juilliard." The Herzog audience seemed to agree. Some sang in sync with the actor, whose veins exploded through his neck as he belted "Born to Run." Or when he brought the sex appeal to a fraught (but steamy) romance involving a single mom (Odessa Young). Perhaps especially when he, as Springsteen, confronts childhood trauma and acknowledges the slow onset of crippling depression. Stephen Graham ("Adolescence") intimidated as Springsteen's father via flashbacks. Paul Walter Hauser starred as guitar tech Mike Batlan and, as is his habit in most of his work, got all the laughs in the room. Gaby Hoffmann, David Krumholtz, Marc Maron, Johnny Cannizzaro, Harrison Gilbertson, Chris Jaymes and Matthew Anthony Pellicano (who plays young Bruce) are also among the cast. "Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere" is set for wide release on Oct. 24. Best of Variety Best Labor Day Deals on Samsung, Bose, Criterion Collection and More What's Coming to Disney+ in September 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Sign up forVariety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us onFacebook,Twitter, andInstagram.
