Power Ballad (2026) review
So he does age after all!
Plot:Â When Rick, a past-his-prime wedding singer, meets fading boy-band star Danny during a gig, the two bond over music during a late-night jam session. But when Danny turns one of Rickâs songs into the hit that reignites his career, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves â even if it means risking everything he cares about.
Paul Rudd is one of those actors I'd happily watch in anything. He has endless charm, impeccable comedic timing, and an effortlessly likeable screen presence. Whether or not you enjoy Power Ballad will largely depend on how much you like Rudd, because despite sharing top billing in the marketing with Nick Jonas, Jonas isn't actually in the film all that much.
It's also refreshing to see Rudd play his age for once. He's one of those celebrities who seems to exist under the strange illusion of never physically aging, looking much the same now as he did twenty years ago. Here, however, he plays a washed-up musician, longtime husband and father, and a man whose best days appear to be behind him. Whether it's the haircut, the weary demeanour, or simply the performance itself, this is one of the few times where you genuinely feel like you're watching a man in his fifties. Rudd fully commits to that while still retaining the charm and tongue-in-cheek wit that make him so enjoyable to watch.
As for the rest of the film, it's fine.
John Carney has made much stronger films before, particularly Begin Again and Sing Street. Even his trademark musical focus feels weaker here. The handful of original songs rely heavily on auto-tune, and the central track that drives the conflict between Rudd and Jonas is presented as this huge, career-reviving smash hit. The problem is that the song itself is incredibly mediocre, making it difficult to buy into the stakes.
I also found myself heavily disliking Rick's family. For most of the film they refuse to believe him, and his daughter in particular seems to have almost no respect for her father. Considering the film repeatedly frames Rick as someone who sacrificed his musical ambitions for the sake of his family, you start to wonder whether it was really worth it when they're so unsupportive of him throughout.
The ending was another disappointment. Rick's mission to confront Danny over stealing his song ultimately feels anti-climactic and lacks any real payoff. What should have been the emotional and dramatic culmination of the story with a impactful commentary on plagiarism instead amounts to a lot of build-up for very little reward.
That said, the film isn't without its charms. The early scenes of Rudd and Jonas simply hanging out, drinking, chatting, playing guitar, and writing music together are genuinely delightful. The two share great chemistry, and those moments capture an easy, authentic warmth that the rest of the film struggles to maintain. It's a shame the rest of Power Ballad couldnât sustain that energy.
Overall score: 5/10