Nick Jonas and Paul Rudd star in music-comedy 'Power Ballad'

Nick Jonas and Paul Rudd star in the music-dramedy "Power Ballad," a story centered on a custody-style battle over a hit song [1, 2].

The film examines the volatile nature of artistic ownership in the music industry and the personal fallout that occurs when a hit song is stolen [4, 5]. By blending comedy with themes of betrayal, the project highlights the thin line between creative collaboration and professional rivalry.

Directed by Irish writer-director John Carney, the film follows the relationship between Danny Wilson, played by Jonas, and Rick Power, played by Rudd [1, 2]. The narrative is set largely in Dublin, Ireland, utilizing the city's atmosphere to frame the conflict between the two protagonists [3, 6].

"I wanted to explore the idea of artistic ownership in music, and how that can turn friends into rivals," Carney said ^[1].

The production brought together a notable age gap between its leads, with Rudd being 57 and Jonas being 33 ^[7]. Rudd praised his co-star's performance during the production process.

"I’m amazed by Nick’s talent and energy on set," Rudd said ^[7].

The film had its world premiere at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, appearing on a Saturday in mid-March 2026 [3, 6]. Early critical reception has described the work as a modern-day version of Carney's previous film "Once," though some reviewers noted the pacing as occasionally uneven ^[2].

Carney's direction focuses on the "bromance" and subsequent betrayal between the characters, a dynamic that drives the plot toward its resolution ^[1]. The film serves as a character study of two men from different musical backgrounds fighting for the legacy of a single piece of art [1, 2].