Power Ballad Reviews Are In: Do Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas’s Musical Dramedy Strike the Right Chord With Critics?
John Carney’s new musical dramedy Power Ballad is drawing largely positive early reviews, with critics praising the chemistry between Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas and the film’s emotional warmth. Rudd plays Rick Power, a wedding-band singer who once gave up his dream of becoming a rock star to raise a family, while Jonas plays Danny Wilson, a former boyband member trying to launch a solo career. The two men bond instantly over music before their relationship turns sour when Rick discovers Danny has stolen a song he has been developing for years.
Reviewers say the film continues Carney’s interest in the power of music to connect people, while also exploring themes of middle-age regret, ambition, and unrealized dreams. Ian Freer of Empire gave the movie four out of five stars and said the leads are a delight together in a big-hearted film. Angie Han of The Hollywood Reporter described the pair’s chemistry as immediate, easy, and warm, adding that the movie lands its emotional beats with confidence and features an original in-universe song likely to stick in viewers’ heads. She compared the film to a good pop song that feels familiar, surprising, and satisfying at the same time.
Christian Zilko of IndieWire gave Power Ballad a B, calling it a charming addition to Carney’s filmography and highlighting the performances from Rudd and Jonas. He noted that some of the plot requires a suspension of disbelief, but said the movie’s emotional undercurrents are more complex than they first appear. Rather than leaning on simple wish fulfillment, the story builds toward the idea that missing out on a material dream can still lead to something better.
Not every critic was convinced. Simon Abrams of The AV Club gave the film a C-minus, saying it is difficult to identify what the movie is really about beyond vague platitudes. He praised Rudd’s effort and Jonas’s engagement, but said the characters lack depth and the comedy does not deliver enough memorable jokes. Kristy Puchko of Mashable had a similar reaction, calling the film warm and silly but less magical than Carney’s earlier work such as Once and Sing Street. She criticized the pacing as uneven and said the ending feels predictable and insufficiently earned.
Even with mixed reactions, Power Ballad appears to be connecting with many early viewers. The film is currently holding a Certified Fresh 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and is already generating buzz for its mix of humor, sentiment, and music-driven storytelling. For audiences interested in Carney’s trademark blend of songs and emotional introspection, the movie offers a new take on the director’s familiar themes. Power Ballad is now in limited release and expands to wide release on Friday, June 5.
