Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Bono opens up on life, love, death in poignant concert docu.
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Bono: Stories of Surrender
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
BONO: STORIES OF SURRENDER offers an intimate reimagining of the U2 musician's one-man stage show, "Stories of Surrender: An Evening of Words, Music and Some Mischief..." Bono delivers monologues recounting his life story, from his family life as a child to the start of his infamous band, to early success, marriage, and fatherhood, losing parents, and collaborating with political fundraising efforts. He performs songs from throughout his career and reenacts events from his life on stage in front of a live audience.
Is It Any Good?
Honest, affecting, tender, and inspirational, this documentary is a wholly unique piece of work. Perhaps it shouldn't, but it does still feel unexpected to see a male rocker open up so freely about his emotions, as Bono does quite dramatically in Bono: Stories of Surrender. He calls it "navel-gazing," but the revelations and reenactments carry real value—not just in getting to know the innermost thoughts and feelings of this public figure, but also in normalizing the public sharing and exploration of a man's sentiments. The theatrically stark black-and-white staging of the stories and songs, including some gorgeous a cappella belting, adds to the drama. Bono describes his father's standard life question whenever they would meet at the pub: Anything strange or startling? The answer is yes—this documentary.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what they learned about Bono from the one-man act reimagined for film in Bono: Stories of Surrender. What were you left still wanting to know?
How would you explain the title of this film?
How does Bono demonstrate compassion for himself and others through his stories?
What did you think of the way the performance was staged, in black and white, with dramatic spotlights and empty chairs? How would you describe the mood?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : May 30, 2025
- Cast : Bono
- Director : Andrew Dominik
- Studio : Apple TV / Apple Original Films
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : Activism , History , Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- Character Strengths : Compassion
- Run time : 86 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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