Music has always been the core component of South by Southwest. The festival began as a music-only event back in 1987 and, over time, has evolved into the massive cultural gathering it is today, spanning everything from music and technology to film and television. That is precisely why Power Ballad, the latest film from John Carney, feels like such a natural fit for South by Southwest. Carney has built his entire career around music-driven storytelling, and the film’s blend of music and narrative makes it an ideal match for the SXSW crowd.
Power Ballad follows Rick (Paul Rudd), a washed-up wedding singer who meets Danny (Nick Jonas), a fading boy band star, at a wedding where Rick has been hired to perform. The two instantly hit it off and later that night hung out, got drunk, and swapped stories about their careers in the music industry. Six months later, Rick overhears a song on the radio, which, to his complete shock, is the very same song he sang with Danny the night they first met. The song quickly becomes a global sensation, yet Rick is not given credit as the writer. This whole ordeal sends Rick on a long, emotional journey to claim the recognition he believes he deserves.
As expected, the film played like gangbusters at its SXSW premiere, and rightfully so. Not only does Power Ballad feature some terrific music, but it is also lighthearted, charming, and immensely fun to watch. The premise, much like many of John Carney’s films, is fairly simple, but it works so well because the story feels so relatable and universal. The story explores themes such as chasing your dreams, the ethical and moral complications of taking credit for someone else’s work, balancing family and work, and the identity crisis many people experience when they reach a certain point in their lives or careers and begin to question their worth and purpose. The writing never leans too heavily into any of these topics, but just the right amount to make the viewer feel connected with the characters and what they are going through at this stage in their lives.
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Paul Rudd is at the top of his game here. I was genuinely surprised to see Rudd take on a character that feels so authentic while still maintaining the charm and comedic timing he is known for. Like many people, I have always adored Rudd as an actor, but seeing him in a role that lets him tap into a more emotional, vulnerable side really stood out to me, making it feel incredibly special. I think it could be argued that this is some of his best work as an actor, given the layers of depth that Rudd had to bring to the table to play the role of Rick.
Nick Jonas is also quite strong as Danny, particularly because the role goes far beyond simply playing a singer. His character is forced to confront complex moral choices, and Jonas proves quite captivating on screen, especially in the moments he shares with Rudd. Their chemistry is immediate and believable, which is a big reason why Power Ballad works so well. You quickly buy into their bond as two guys reflecting on where their careers once were and where they are now, which makes the betrayal that follows feel even more painful when one of them ends up screwing the other over in such a short amount of time.
At a time when so much of what is happening in the world feels negative and fueled by anger and division, John Carney continues to prove he knows how to tell uplifting, hopeful stories. The phrase “the movie we need right now” is wildly overused these days. In my opinion, most films described that way rarely live up to it. But in the case of Power Ballad, I really do think it fits.
Right now, we need entertainment that reminds us that a good person can still win and that dreams can come true. We need more stories that spark joy, and few things do that better than music. Music is universal. It connects with people in deeply personal ways, and Power Ballad taps into that feeling in a way that is both heartfelt and genuinely uplifting.
Which, of course, brings me to the music in the film. I genuinely don’t know how John Carney does it, but every one of his films, from Once to Sing Street to Power Ballad, features remarkable and incredibly catchy music. The songs in his films are just phenomenal, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have most of those soundtracks downloaded on my Apple Music account. Carney and his songwriting collaborators truly understand how to craft songs that are not only immensely catchy but also emotionally resonant.
The entire soundtrack in Power Ballad is outstanding from start to finish, but the central song—“How to Write a Song (Without You)”—stands out as something truly special. It serves as the film’s emotional anchor and narrative device, and as the story shows, the song can take on completely different meanings for people. That is ultimately a true depiction of the power of music and why people fall in love with certain songwriters and musicians.
I know it’s still incredibly early in the year, but Power Ballad is the best film I’ve seen at SXSW Film & TV Festival and one of the best I’ve seen so far this year. I love John Carney and his work because he is a storyteller who wants to tell stories that go down easy and make you feel alive. I can’t express how much I value the joy and happiness I feel when I watch films and television. I want to be entertained, but I also want to feel something, and Carney rarely disappoints.
I truly hope this film becomes a massive success for everyone involved, and I do think it has the potential to play very well in theaters. Not only do you have an actor who seems universally loved in Paul Rudd, but the film also features global superstar Nick Jonas. Power Ballad is a genuine crowd pleaser with real emotion, heart, and a phenomenal soundtrack. John Carney has done it again!
Power Ballad opens in theaters on May 29, 2026.
