Music can create friendships - but it can also destroy them. That emotional tension sits at the center of Power Ballad, the upcoming music-driven drama starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, arriving in select theaters May 29 before expanding nationwide June 5.
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker John Carney, best known for beloved music-centered films like Once, Begin Again, and Sing Street, the new movie explores the complicated relationship between artistic passion, fame, and personal recognition.
In Power Ballad, Paul Rudd plays Rick Power, a struggling wedding singer whose dreams of musical success never fully materialized. His life unexpectedly changes after he forms a connection with Danny Wilson, a former boy-band star portrayed by Nick Jonas.
Following a late-night jam session, the pair create a song together - but months later, Rick discovers Danny has transformed their shared creation into a massive hit without acknowledging his contribution.
What follows is a deeply personal battle over ownership, ambition, and the painful question of whether success changes people.
The film blends humor, emotional vulnerability, and live music performances in a way that has become a signature of Carney's storytelling. Early reactions have praised the chemistry between Rudd and Jonas while highlighting the film's exploration of aging dreams, artistic identity, and the emotional power music carries in people's lives.
Alongside Rudd and Jonas, the cast also features Havana Rose Liu and Jack Reynor.
For Jonas, the film continues his growing transition deeper into dramatic acting roles, while Rudd brings a more grounded and bittersweet performance compared to many of his recent comedic projects.
At its core, Power Ballad appears to be less about celebrity and more about the universal longing to be seen, heard, and remembered - especially through music.
