Timothée Chalamet channels the enigmatic spirit of Bob Dylan in a vivid homage to one of the artist’s most defining songs, “Subterranean Homesick Blues.” In a bold tribute that brings fresh energy to Dylan’s legacy, Chalamet doesn’t just cover the song—he transforms it for a new era in the upcoming biopic, A Complete Unknown. The video presents fans with a riveting look at Chalamet’s portrayal, capturing Dylan’s elusive, complex energy as he mirrors the iconic 1965 cue card-flipping scene that Dylan pioneered, now reimagined with a blend of nostalgia and raw, contemporary edge.

This release marks the first time audiences hear Chalamet’s full vocal approach to Dylan’s style. Teasers only hinted at brief vocal snippets from tracks like “Girl from the North Country” and “Like a Rolling Stone.” Now, with the full rendition of “Subterranean Homesick Blues” out in the open, fans can immerse themselves in Chalamet’s take on Dylan’s vocal quirks, infusing Dylan’s tones with his own understated intensity.

Directed by James Mangold, known for the rich character portrayals in Walk the Line, A Complete Unknown delves deep into Dylan’s early years, tracing his path from the gritty folk circles of Greenwich Village to the seismic moment he embraced the electric sound at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. Mangold’s vision for Dylan isn’t a quest to “explain” the man but rather to embrace his contradictions. “I didn’t want to simplify Bob Dylan into a character with a single revelation that makes people feel like they ‘understand’ him. Dylan resists that; he’s lived his life avoiding neat interpretations,” Mangold told Rolling Stone.

The film’s cast assembles a compelling roster of Dylan’s influential contemporaries: Edward Norton embodies Pete Seeger, Elle Fanning takes on Sylvie Russo, Monica Barbaro plays Joan Baez, and Boyd Holbrook portrays Johnny Cash. Other historic figures from the folk world join the lineup, including Norbert Leo Butz as Alan Lomax, Dan Fogler as Albert Grossman, and Scoot McNairy as Woody Guthrie, creating a vibrant snapshot of the era and the characters who shaped Dylan’s journey.

Set to release on 25 December 2024, A Complete Unknown promises to be more than just a biopic. It’s an exploration into the mystery and relentless evolution that made Dylan a generational icon. Through Chalamet’s transformation and Mangold’s perceptive direction, the film aims not to define Dylan but to offer audiences a glimpse into the restless genius who changed the face of music, leaving interpretations as open as his lyrics.