Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- sincere
- feel good movie night
- music movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly find the music-driven comedy-drama warm and engaging, with its strongest qualities rooted in John Carney's songwriting focus and the chemistry between its leads.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Rick is a past-his-prime wedding singer still haunted by the success that eluded him.
Danny turns Rick's song into a career-reviving hit, prompting Rick to reclaim recognition.
Rick's songwriting is contrasted with Danny's fame as a fading boy-band star.
Rick works wedding gigs in Dublin and meets Danny through a shared performance and jam session.
Films like Power Ballad, and why
Once
music-centered drama balancing creative ambition, friendship, and emotional warmth
Sing Street
uplifting songwriting story with an intimate music-community atmosphere and coming-to-terms themes
The Comeback Trail
feel-good show-business comedy-drama about aging performers, artistic recognition, and personal reinvention
Begin Again
character-driven music comedy focused on self-worth, performance, and the pressures of commercial success
Movie Details
- Director
- John Carney
- Release Date
- 2026-05-18
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (107)
Cast
- Paul Rudd
- Nick Jonas
- Peter McDonald
- Marcella Plunkett
- Havana Rose Liu
- Jack Reynor
- Rory Keenan
- Keith McErlean
- Paul Reid
- Beth Fallon
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Power Ballad about?
- A frustrated Dublin wedding singer risks his family, friendship, and hard-won self-respect to reclaim a song that makes a fading pop star famous.
- What is Power Ballad like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Power Ballad as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Power Ballad violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Power Ballad.
- What did critics think of Power Ballad?
- Critics broadly find the music-driven comedy-drama warm and engaging, with its strongest qualities rooted in John Carney's songwriting focus and the chemistry between its leads.
- Which films are like Power Ballad?
- Films with a similar feel include Once, Sing Street, The Comeback Trail, and Begin Again.
- How long is Power Ballad?
- Power Ballad runs 99 minutes.
- Where can I watch Power Ballad?
- In United States, Power Ballad is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex.
