Power Ballad (2026) stands out as one of the most anticipated musical‑comedy dramas of its year, marking another major creative milestone for filmmaker John Carney, who both directed and co‑wrote the film with Peter McDonald. Carney, known for Once and Sing Street, continues his signature exploration of music as emotional storytelling, blending humour, heartache, and melody into a narrative that resonates across generations.
Pictured above: Keith McErlean as Kyle, Peter McDonald as Sandy, Paul Rudd as Rick, Rory Keenan as Binzer, and Paul Reid as Bernard in Power Ballad. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate
The film’s significance lies in its return to Carney’s strengths: intimate character work, grounded musicality, and stories about artists navigating the messy terrain between ambition and authenticity.
John Carney is an award-winning filmmaker, screenwriter, producer and former bass guitarist of the Irish band ‘The Frames’. John’s breakout feature Once won numerous accolades, including an Academy Award® for Best Original Song, and it was adapted for the stage, winning eight Tony Awards®. He helmed Begin Again, Sing Street, and is the creator and showrunner of the anthology series “Modern Love.” His recent feature Flora and Son, starring Joseph Gordon Levitt and Eve Hewson, premiered at Sundance and is now available on AppleTV+.
The inspiration for Power Ballad is rooted in Carney’s ongoing fascination with the transformative power of music and the emotional lives of everyday performers.
The film centres on the tension between artistic integrity and commercial success—an idea Carney has explored throughout his career. This time, he frames the story through the lens of two men at very different stages of their musical journeys: one a washed‑up wedding singer, the other a fading boy‑band star. Their unexpected connection becomes the catalyst for a story about pride, reinvention, and the complicated dynamics of creative collaboration.
Power Ballad is the product of multiple worlds and entertainment genres melding together, with a diverse cast and crew bringing their combined world-class talents from the stage, screen, and recording studio to the film.
The story splits time between Dublin, Ireland, and Los Angeles, California, with the film shot on location in both countries. The intertwined creative visions of John Carney as the writer, director, producer, and songwriter of Power Ballad create a solid foundation upon which both literal and figurative harmony are
constructed throughout the film.
Producer Rebecca O’Flanagan notes, “There’re few filmmakers in the world right now whose films feel as strongly branded as John’s. This is truly a ‘John Carney film’ in that it has the humor, the music, and the heart, all done on a bigger scale. John has a strong perspective on life and love, but he always keeps the audience firmly in his sights and wants to engage with them through every frame.”
Producer Rob Walpole echoes that as well:“John is a storyteller who has so many tools in his kit bag. He’s able to make you cry laughing, then when you least expect it he can make you actually cry and then he is able to write songs that make your heart soar.”
John Carney’s reputation as a musician and filmmaker indeed preceded him in a very meaningful way, creating several olive branches for actors to eagerly assume their roles in Power Ballad.
“I’ve been aware of this project for nearly ten years. When I read the script, it had John written all over it,” adds Jack Reynor (who plays Mac Darling). “This is our fourth project together. I just love the general energy on the set of John’s movies. People are happy to be here, and it’s just a fun, light environment.”
Nick Jonas affirms, “One of the things I’ve always been drawn to about John Carney, is that he tackles so many themes in a beautifully packaged film. His work is melodic and just fun. It’s been a goal of mine to work with him for a long time. I remember watching Sing Street and just loving all the complicated relationships, both among the characters and between the characters and the music. I think we have a lot of that in Power Ballad as well.”
For John Carney, the story became an opportunity to explore what a love story looks like later in life, when youthful ambition has collided with adulthood, marriage, and responsibility.
Carney explains, “It strikes me as interesting to go okay, take a musician and see where that musician is at in their life and go, what’s the love story now? He’s a 48 year old guy who’s married with a grownup kid. He lives in Dublin. Who does he love? What does he love? What excited him?”
Rather than centering romance in the traditional sense, Carney found emotional resonance in Rick’s unexpected connection with Danny. “He kind of falls a little bit in love with this kid he meets, who he sees himself in and sees his past in. So there’s a little bit of a bromance for want of a better term going on there.”
Producer Anthony Bergman believes that emotional undercurrent is what ultimately makes Power Ballad so universal. “Probably the most universal theme going through this, is the idea that you have to look at what is working in your life and find a way to appreciate that,” Bergman says. Rick’s journey, he explains, becomes one of perspective and rediscovery.
“Paul’s character’s big revelation is that the life that he thought was not enough for him really was his best life. His journey in this film is really a process of going back and appreciating what he had all along.” For Bergman, that realisation extends far beyond the world of music. “We’re all trying to find our best lives, and sometimes the best life is closer than we recognise.”
The film follows Rick Power, played by Paul Rudd, a once‑promising musician now reduced to performing at weddings. His life takes a sharp turn when he meets Danny Wilson, portrayed by Nick Jonas, a former boy‑band sensation whose fame has long since dimmed. After a spontaneous late‑night jam session, Danny steals one of Rick’s original songs and turns it into a chart‑topping hit—an act that reignites his career while leaving Rick furious and determined to reclaim the recognition he deserves. This betrayal sets the stage for a comedic yet emotionally charged journey as Rick confronts Danny, forcing both men to reckon with their past choices, their egos, and the true meaning of artistic ownership.
The supporting cast enriches the film’s emotional and comedic texture. Havana Rose Liu appears as Marcia, Jack Reynor as Mac, Peter McDonald as Sandy, and Marcella Plunkett as Rachel, each contributing to the film’s blend of humour, tension, and heartfelt connection. The ensemble helps ground the story in a world where music becomes both a battleground and a bridge—an arena for conflict, reconciliation, and unexpected friendship.
With its blend of sharp writing, charismatic performances, and Carney’s signature musical storytelling, Power Ballad positions itself as a standout film of 2026. Early reviews praise its emotional sincerity, strong performances—particularly from Rudd and Jonas—and its ability to balance comedy with genuine dramatic stakes. As a story about pride, creativity, and the healing power of music, Power Ballad promises to resonate with audiences who appreciate heartfelt, character‑driven musical cinema.
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