In Stories of Surrender, U2 frontman Bono invites you to listen to his story—one about family, grief, and the liberation found in music. It’s the story of a rock star, an activist, an Irishman—and above all, a man reflecting on who he is and what values the most in life. This intimate and touching journey grabs you by the heart and reaffirms that Bono is a figure who truly belongs on stage.
★★★★☆
Premiering in the Special Screenings section at the Cannes Film Festival, Apple’s newest documentary is based on Bono’s acclaimed 2022 solo stage show, Stories of Surrender: An Evening of Words, Music and Some Mischief…. For the film version he teams up with director Andrew Dominik, who Variety rightfully named “a visual wizard” for his cinematic style. Set almost entirely on a stage, with minimal props and what Bono humorously calls his “quarter-man show,” the film still manages to captivate.
A major part of the film dissects Bono’s relationship with his father, Brendan Robert “Bob” Hewson. Seated across an empty chair, the U2 frontman stages a conversation with a man who’s no longer there. This theatrical and vulnerable moment reveals a lifetime of longing for approval and emotional connection. There is a lingering tension between them as Bob never spoke about his wife’s death—Bono’s mother, whom he lost at the early age of 14. Growing up with a father unable to express his emotions and carrying unresolved grief, Bono responded the only way he knew how: by singing louder and louder. Yet what begins as a strained and emotionally distant relationship, with Bono’s father unable to express his pride, gradually unfolds into one of mutual understanding and respect.
Stories of Surrender is beautifully immersive and wholly engages viewers. It’s rhythmic and pulses with energy and passion, scenes are punctuated by intense, strobing lights and dynamic visuals that echo Bono’s monologues. Music and storytelling are inseparable here. In fact, that’s the documentary’s greatest strength: music becomes a part of the narrative itself. It expands the horizons of storytelling—everything we see and hear is essential to Bono’s message. The sounds, the movement, the surroundings—each element conveys the emotion he seeks to express.
This is also the first Apple TV+ music documentary to include a feature-length Apple Vision Pro immersive video edition. Courtesy of Apple, I had the opportunity to watch the trailer in Vision Pro. There are two versions of the film: the one screened at the premiere—which will be available to the streaming service subscribers on 30 May—and a separate version enhanced with additional visual elements for the VR experience. While it was undeniably exciting to feel as though I was on stage with Bono, I couldn’t help but wonder how this form of filmmaking will translate to broader audiences. It’s a fascinating step in transcending the physical boundaries of traditional cinema, but it also raises questions—namely, can this become mainstream? The tech community is excited by the new creative prospects, but it’s a quite—well, costly way to watch a movie. While immersive formats aim to bring viewers into the story, what truly makes Stories of Surrender special is the laughter of the audience as Bono impersonates Pavarotti, and the shared excitement during U2’s most iconic songs—moments that are impossible to be replicated beyond theaters or within VR.
Towards its end the film edges a bit too closely into music video, a shift it would have done better to avoid. Despite this, though, the sense of immersion that the documentary creates is not too hampered.
The Verdict
While diehard U2 fans will not learn much from Stories of Surrender, they can still enjoy ‘unplugged’ versions of their favorite songs performed by Bono alongside with Jacknife Lee (keyboards and percussion), Kate Ellis (cello), Gemma Doherty (keyboards and vocals). The film’s compelling visual style and Bono’s magnetic presence keep your attention captive throughout, the singer’s raw vulnerability deeply moving, and his charismatic delivery making it hard to look away.
Words by Luiza Świerzawska
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