Director Scott Cooper’s Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere was not just a failure in the U.S.; it was resoundingly rejected by millions worldwide. In stark terms, it earned a catastrophic $9.1 million domestically, a figure that should shock anyone who considers Bruce Springsteen a global icon.
When you factor in billions of potential viewers internationally, expectations were set high. Yet Springsteen’s cinematic venture managed a paltry additional $7 million overseas, culminating in a shockingly low total of just $16 million globally.
What does this tell us? It paints a grim picture of a film industry out of touch with its audience.
Box office experts had predicted at least $15 million from the U.S. alone. Instead, this film barely scraped past the most pessimistic forecasts. This failure can’t be ignored.
So, is it a classic case of “Go woke, go broke”? Absolutely.
Let’s be clear. For over a decade, Springsteen has relentlessly denounced his own core fans, labeling them as racist and un-American simply for supporting Donald Trump. It’s a betrayal of his roots that cannot be overlooked.
But we must also ask: Did Springsteen act in a way that alienated audiences abroad? The cringe-worthy evidence speaks for itself.
For decades, Springsteen presented himself as the voice of the working class. His artistry resonated through relatable stories and universal themes. We connected with him because he seemed to truly understand our struggles.
However, that connection has eroded. The Bruce Springsteen of today is a far cry from the relatable artist we once admired. Instead, we see a disgruntled celebrity fixated on political rants rather than the music that once united us.
Public figures like Springsteen must prioritize two things: maintaining a positive public image and preserving the loyalty of their fan base. Time and again, he squandered both, opting instead to cozy up to elitist circles. He sold out, turning his back on those who supported him, and now the backlash is palpable.
This decline in favor isn’t by accident. When you choose to alienate your audience, don’t be surprised when they choose to stay home instead of heading to the theaters.
John Nolte’s first and last novel, Borrowed Time, is earning glowing five-star reviews from everyday readers. You can read an excerpt here and an in-depth review here. Available in hardcover, on Kindle, and Audiobook.
