Jeremy Allen White Reveals the Film That Moved Him to Tears

Anyone familiar with Jeremy Allen White’s work on The Bear knows he’s no stranger to exploring deep, raw emotions on screen. While his performance in the acclaimed series often blurs the line between comedy and drama, White recently found himself on the other side of the emotional spectrum—not as an actor, but as a viewer. During his visit to the Telluride Film Festival, where he was promoting his latest project, he experienced a film that left a lasting mark on him.

Film festivals like Telluride offer a unique space for actors and filmmakers to immerse themselves in the year’s most anticipated releases. White attended the festival to support his role in Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, but he also took the opportunity to catch a screening of a film that quickly became a festival standout. Telluride, known for its exclusivity and high-profile guest list, is a prime spot for industry insiders to get an early look at potential award contenders. This year’s lineup featured works from celebrated directors such as Richard Linklater, Yorgos Lanthimos, Noah Baumbach, Kelly Reichardt, and Joaquim Trier, making the competition for top honors especially fierce.

Festival Standouts and Fierce Competition

Among the many buzzworthy films, Scott Cooper’s Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere generated significant attention, positioning White as a strong contender in the Best Actor race. However, the film that truly captured the festival’s emotional core was Hamnet , directed by Oscar- winner Chloé Zhao. Adapted from the acclaimed novel, Hamnet draws inspiration from the life of William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes, portrayed by Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley. The story centers on the devastating loss of their youngest son, Hamnet, played by Jacobi Jupe, and the profound impact this tragedy has on their marriage.

The film’s sensitive portrayal of grief and loss resonated deeply with audiences. Zhao’s direction brought a quiet intensity to the narrative, leaving many viewers visibly moved. White himself admitted to being overwhelmed by the film’s emotional weight, telling BuzzFeed that

Hamnet was “one of the saddest films” that he’d ever seen.

Personal Connections and Artistic Inspiration

As a father, White found the film’s themes especially poignant. The story’s exploration of parental grief and the strain it places on relationships struck a personal chord, making the experience all the more powerful. While Springsteen and Hamnet may be rivals during awards season, they share a common thread: both delve into how artists transform personal pain into creative expression.

Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere examines how Bruce Springsteen, during a period of intense personal struggle, drew from his own childhood to create a defining album. Watching these two films back-to-back would be an emotionally challenging journey, but one that offers a profound look at the ways in which art can emerge from heartbreak.