Overview
A passionate musician's journey through love and self-discovery unfolds against a backdrop of vibrant performances.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- passionate
- melodramatic
- sensual
- music movie night
- 1980s nostalgia night
What critics said
Critics broadly find the film uneven as a drama but praise its undeniable musical energy and Prince's singular charisma.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Prince's performance as The Kid fuses the character's emotional arc with his own singular musical charisma.
The Kid's songs and club performances externalize his rivalries, romantic tensions, and personal transformation.
The Kid fears repeating his father's abuse and self-destructive behavior while facing violence within his family home.
The Kid's relationship with Morris and the club's competitive pressures place musical identity against commercial rivalry.
Films like Purple Rain, and why
The Rose
Both center on volatile musicians whose artistic ambition and personal relationships collide in a performance-driven drama.
A Star Is Born
A charismatic musician navigates romance, ego, creative rivalry, and the pressures of performing in a stylized music drama.
The Doors
Shares a concert-film structure, emotionally heightened musical performances, and a troubled artist confronting personal demons.
Control
A music-centered drama about artistic identity, romantic conflict, and the destructive pressures surrounding performance.
Movie Details
- Director
- Albert Magnoli
- Release Date
- 1984-07-27
- Runtime
- 111 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (438)
Cast
- Prince
- Apollonia Kotero
- Morris Day
- Jerome Benton
- Olga Karlatos
- Clarence Williams III
- Billy Sparks
- Wendy Melvoin
- Lisa Coleman
- Bobby Z
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- 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 Purple Rain about?
- A volatile Minneapolis musician fights to turn family trauma, romantic loss, and artistic rivalry into a defining breakthrough onstage.
- What is Purple Rain like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Purple Rain as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Purple Rain violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Purple Rain as moderate.
- What did critics think of Purple Rain?
- Critics broadly find the film uneven as a drama but praise its undeniable musical energy and Prince's singular charisma.
- Which films are like Purple Rain?
- Films with a similar feel include The Rose, A Star Is Born, The Doors, and Control.
- How long is Purple Rain?
- Purple Rain runs 111 minutes.
- Where can I watch Purple Rain?
- In United States, Purple Rain is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
