Bono: Stories of Surrender – A Review of the U2 Frontman’s Raw and Vulnerable Journey

Bono: Stories of Surrender

Directed by: Andrew Dominik

Written by: Bono

Starring: Bono

Release Date: May 30, 2025, on Apple TV

Published: May 29, 2025

Bono occupies a unique corner of popular culture—an awkward, often misunderstood space that’s difficult for many to relate to. The iconic U2 frontman, Paul Hewson, has reached a level of celebrity and success that few can fathom. Like Madonna, Michael Jackson, or Whitney Houston, Bono’s persona has become larger than life. Michael and Whitney are frozen in nostalgia, while Madonna has become a punchline, mocked for daring to age and remain in the public eye

Yet, Bono is still here, persistently navigating the tricky terrain of fame. Unlike Madonna, as a man, he’s escaped much of the scrutiny around aging. Men often have that privilege, whether we admit it or not. Still, Bono hasn’t been immune to criticism—his wealth, his status, and his desire to stay relevant have all made him a target, particularly from younger generations who often dismiss voices like his as relics of an older, out-of-touch era.

The Awkward Corner of Fame: Bono’s Complex Persona

Bono today isn’t just Bono—he’s BONO, the guy whose band made a deal with Apple that forced U2’s music onto millions of iPhones, wanted or not. He’s the jet-setting rock star playing sold-out stadiums for nostalgic Boomers and Gen X’ers, the guy who’s tried to leverage fame for causes like poverty and war, sometimes dismissed as self-important or opportunistic.

But behind all the excess, the caricature, and the global fame is Paul Hewson—a flawed, passionate, sometimes temperamental man. A boy who lost his mother far too young and his father just when they were starting to truly connect as adults. Bono can never fully escape the public’s perception of him. It’s a persona he never entirely intended but one we’ve collectively created.

Beyond the Caricature: The Real Paul Hewson

His latest project, Bono: Stories of Surrender—an Apple TV exclusive documentary directed by Andrew Dominik—isn’t trying to change that perception. Instead, it’s a raw, intimate, and honest reflection. It’s one man telling his story, grappling with his own life, relationships, and evolving sense of self.

Stories of Surrender strips away the spectacle. Bono takes the stage alone, accompanied by the Jacknife Lee Ensemble, performing pared-down versions of classic U2 hits. No grand arena, no elaborate staging—just Bono, a table, a chair, and his stories, many drawn from his memoir, Surrender. It feels more like a book tour than a rock concert, but with music, lighting, and Bono’s unmistakable voice.

Fatherhood, Loss, and the Universal Longing for Connection

What’s striking is Bono’s storytelling. Charismatic and reflective, he shares anecdotes of losing his mother, Iris, and the profound impact of his father, Bob. He speaks of his youthful quest to impress his father, to achieve dreams his father never dared to dream, hoping to earn his admiration. This desire resonates universally—whether you’re the child of a restaurant owner, like me, or a global pop icon.

For those with complicated relationships with their fathers, Bono’s monologues in Stories of Surrender are surprisingly relatable. Even as a global superstar, he captures the universal ache for a parent’s approval. Our culture often reduces figures like Bono, Madonna, or even Taylor Swift and Beyoncé into caricatures, stripping away their humanity so we can critique or analyze them from afar. Bono’s public persona can be seen as pretentious or preachy, but Stories of Surrender invites us to look past the caricature and see the flawed, earnest human beneath.

A Warm, Vulnerable Experience—If You’re Willing to Listen

This isn’t Bono trying to redeem himself or rewrite his public narrative. Songs of Surrender is a meditation on surrendering control—a lesson he’s learned from his relationships with his father, his wife, his bandmates, and, perhaps, himself. The show blends monologues and music, humor and vulnerability, as Bono transforms into a raconteur sitting across from you at a bar, weaving stories that are part confessional, part cautionary tale.

I’m a Gen-X’er, a longtime U2 fan, and I came to Stories of Surrender expecting to be moved—but I wasn’t prepared for just how emotional it would be. The stripped-down arrangements of Sunday Bloody Sunday, With or Without You, and a hauntingly beautiful rendition of Beautiful Day are raw and fresh, delivered with an intimacy that feels like a private conversation.

Relatable and Raw: Bono’s Storytelling Mastery

That’s the unexpected power of Bono: Stories of Surrender—it’s deeply human, warm, and disarmingly personal. It cuts through the layers of celebrity and reveals something vulnerable and real. Not everyone will see this side of Bono. Some will cling to the caricature, dismissing his honesty as the whining of a rich rock star asking for sympathy. If that’s your perspective,

U2 Stories of Surrender setlist

Vertigo - How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004)

City of Blinding Lights - How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004)

Out of Control - Three (1979)

Sunday Bloody Sunday - War (1983)

Pride (In the Name of Love) - The Unforgettable Fire (1984)

Where the Streets Have No Name - The Joshua Tree (1987)

Desire - Rattle and Hum (1988)

With or Without You - The Joshua Tree (1987)

Beautiful Day - All That You Can't Leave Behind (2000)

(Interlude in Italian) Bay of Sorrentino

Credits song - The Showman - Songs of Surrender (2025)