Bono: Stories of Surrender

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2:08

Bono: Stories of Surrender

2025

1h 26m

Documentary

Music

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Popcornmeter

73%

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44 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

"Bono: Stories of Surrender" is a vivid reimagining of Bono's critically acclaimed one-man stage show, "Stories of Surrender: An Evening of Words, Music and Some Mischief..." As he pulls back the curtain on a remarkable life and the family, friends and faith that have challenged and sustained him, he also reveals personal stories about his journey as a son, father, husband, activist and rock star. Along with never-before-seen, exclusive footage from the tour, the film features Bono performing many of the iconic U2 songs that have shaped his life and legacy.

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Critics Consensus

Director Andrew Dominik paints Bono: Stories of Surrender with a deft touch, while leaving the heavy lifting of baring all to the man himself.

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Danny Leigh

Financial Times

When the film premiered in Cannes, unkind critics saw it as self-celebratory. With Bono, that’s like complaining that the rain is wet. The flipside are the points when something raw is laid bare...

Rated: 3/5

Jun 4, 2025

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Robert Levin

Newsday

A compelling portrait of the artist, in his own words.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 2, 2025

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Chris Klimek

Washington Post

Shooting in crisp monochrome, director Andrew Dominik has higher aspirations than the unadorned documentation of a stage play.

May 30, 2025

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Luke Goodsell

ABC News (Australia)

Haters will burn with renewed fire, but if you’ve ever had a soft spot for U2, it may just make you fall in love with them all over again.

Jun 20, 2025

Full Review

Jennifer Green

Common Sense Media

Honest, affecting, tender, and inspirational, this documentary is a wholly unique piece of work.

Jun 10, 2025

Full Review

Callie Hanna

FandomWire

Very few people can make talking about themselves for ninety minutes straight interesting and with all due respect, Bono is not one of them.

Rated: 4/10

Jun 10, 2025

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Barbara A

As a U2 fan my entire adult life, there's stuff I learned about my favorite band. The song writing came to life for me. Loved the book and this only made it that much better.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/16/25

Full Review

Christian M

This one-man show by Paul Hewson is a memoir. So it is necessarily about him, his life, and the history of U2. I don't think the reviews on here that call this "egotistical" understand exactly what a memoir (or an autobiography) is. For anyone who wants to know more about Bono's life -- as told by him -- then this is quite poignant and has moments of greatness. The way the music of U2 is weaved in and out of the story is very well done.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/15/25

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Michael H

So ridiculously full of himself it is embarrassing

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/09/25

Full Review

Kristen S

Wow - I am a huge U2 fan and have seen them in concert multiple times, but MAN is Bono a self obsessed egomaniac! I turned it off after he tried to take credit for The Edge’s talent - sad, I won’t hear their music the same anymore.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/09/25

Full Review

John D

I was originally afraid to watch this because of the way everything has become so political, but i am glad i did. The show is executed perfectly, the message is beautiful and he is bravely telling of his struggle to do the right thing while being a famous human with all the weaknesses of being a man. And the performance of spoken word and his songs is extra-ordinary! I love this dude, he is a rare shining light of real humanity in the entertainment world!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/02/25

Full Review

Matt W

What I was hoping for was really intimate storytelling. I thought Springsteen did this well with the broadway show, which was humble and sincere. This however is egocentric and self centred to the point of being toffery disguised as art - It's honestly almost as bad as when Radiohead headlined the Pyramid stage but left all their guitars behind. Not for me.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

06/02/25

Full Review

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Andrew Dominik

Director

Bono

Self

Jacknife Lee

Self

Kate Ellis

Self

Gemma Doherty

Self

Jon Kamen

Producer

U2 Legend Bono Reveals Inspiration for Documentary ‘Bono: Stories of Surrender’

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Bono: Stories of Surrender: Trailer

2:08

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Synopsis

"Bono: Stories of Surrender" is a vivid reimagining of Bono's critically acclaimed one-man stage show, "Stories of Surrender: An Evening of Words, Music and Some Mischief..." As he pulls back the curtain on a remarkable life and the family, friends and faith that have challenged and sustained him, he also reveals personal stories about his journey as a son, father, husband, activist and rock star. Along with never-before-seen, exclusive footage from the tour, the film features Bono performing many of the iconic U2 songs that have shaped his life and legacy.

Director: Andrew Dominik
Producer: Jon Kamen, David Sirulnick, Dede Gardner, Brad Pitt, Jeremy Kleiner
Distributor: Apple TV+
Production Co: Apple Original Films
Genre: Documentary, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): May 30, 2025
Runtime: 1h 26m

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