Bono’s Surrender: Must-Watch Movie Review and Streaming Guide

In “Bono: Stories of Surrender,” a concert and documentary film featuring the iconic U2 frontman, Bono openly reflects on the introspective nature of memoirs. Captured at New York City’s Beacon Theater during his 2023 one-man performance inspired by his autobiography Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story, Bono intertwines chart-topping hits with his personal journey, exploring his transformation from Paul Hewson to a rock legend. However, instead of celebrating fame, he critiques his ambitions and desires in a concise 86-minute film that arguably could benefit from a longer runtime.

Under the direction of Andrew Dominik, “Bono: Stories of Surrender” shines most when Bono performs intimate renditions of his hits paired with Dominik’s behind-the-scenes glimpses that critique the film’s glamorous surface. Unfortunately, the limited exploration of these moments makes the documentary feel somewhat formulaic at times.

The visual style crafted by Dominik and cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt (“Ferrari”) is captivating, featuring rich black-and-white photography that enhances the dramatic lighting, casting Bono and his ensemble in shadowy silhouettes—adding an air of mystique to the typically exuberant performer. The stage is kept minimal, featuring a cellist, harpist, and drummer against a backdrop of LED lights, creating a profound sonic landscape.

For those familiar with Bono’s solo performances, it’s clear that the film focuses on widely recognized songs rather than deep cuts (apologies to Zooropa enthusiasts). The familiar anthems like “Pride,” “Desire,” and “With or Without You” are delivered with heartfelt emotion, enhanced by unexpected vocal choices. The film opens with “Vertigo,” segued into a recounting of Bono’s brush with mortality in 2009, when medical issues arose from an aortic valve blister. “How did I get here?” he muses, taking viewers on a nostalgic journey back to his formative years, touching on the profound loss of his mother, Iris, and the complexities of his relationship with his father, Bob.

Bono attributes much of his inner turmoil to the challenging dynamics with his father, a fervent opera enthusiast who displayed little support for Bono’s artistic inclinations, prompting the singer to amplify his voice in hopes of being heard. The stage is adorned with chairs that represent key figures from his past, including a vacant seat for his father and others symbolizing his bandmates, illustrating how each encounter shaped his journey. Although he touches on the band’s dynamics, he emphasizes his personal evolution and the attempt to empathize with his father’s perspective.

This introspective narrative extends to the film’s language as well. Bono cleverly breaks the fourth wall, blending his inner thoughts with the performance of “Desire.” During segments like “The Third Act,” the viewer is drawn into the behind-the-scenes preparation for Bono’s post-intermission return, which invigorates the experience. At one point, he posits: Motivations aren’t important; only the outcome matters. Yet, he grapples with questions about his social activism and the accolades that accompany it while critiquing his relentless pursuit of greatness—a quest that often eclipsed his family life, despite the grounding presence of his wife, Ali Stewart.

Those moments of reflection keep the documentary from becoming self-indulgent. Though the personal storytelling is minimal, there is enough sincerity here to draw viewers into the film’s melodic allure.