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Bono: Stories of Surrender

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2:08

Bono: Stories of Surrender

2025

1h 26m

Documentary

Music

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Popcornmeter

71%

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34 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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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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Kyle Smith

Wall Street Journal

If Bono is melodramatic, Mr. Dominik is an enabler.

May 29, 2025

Full Review

Tim Robey

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Bono may be his own worst enemy in the one-man show Stories of Surrender, but only just. His second worst is Blonde director Andrew Dominik, who has turned it into a more excruciating film than you might even have surmised.

Rated: 1/5

May 21, 2025

Full Review

Jeff Mitchell

Phoenix Film Festival

‘Bono: Stories of Surrender’ seems like a ‘Beautiful Day’ for a live audience, but the on-screen version is not ‘The Sweetest Thing’.

Rated: 2/4

May 30, 2025

Full Review

Juan Pablo Russo

EscribiendoCine

What Bono: Stories of Surrender show us, ultimately, is not a story but an ode to self. A presentation where the self is multiplied, dramatized, canonized. There is no tension, no contradiction, no humor. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 5/10

May 30, 2025

Full Review

Diego Batlle

Otroscines.com

While [Springsteen on Broadway (2018)] naturally achieved an intimate and emotional self-portrait, Bono's portrayal is more like an ego trip with a lot of overacting. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 2.5/5

May 30, 2025

Full Review

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H P

When I was 12 years old, I stood outside in 10 degree weather all night long to buy tickets for the unforgettable fire show in Cleveland. I can say that I’ve loved U2 for 40+ years. I thought this book was extraordinary. I’ll leave it at this: this Apple special is WAY TOO EXTRA. There’s a reason that MTV did “unplugged” and stripped everything down for artists to talk about their amazing journeys and tell their stories. This needed to be taken down 3 notches and then it would have been wonderful. It is freakishly dramatic and the delivery made the story much worse as a result. It was cringey, darn it!

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/31/25

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Andrew Dominik

Director

Bono

Self

Jacknife Lee

Self

Kate Ellis

Self

Gemma Doherty

Self

Jon Kamen

Producer

Bono: Stories of Surrender: Trailer

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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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