‘Power Ballad’ Trailer: Nick Jonas and Paul Rudd Make Beautiful Music Together (or Do They?)

Filmmaker John Carney long ago carved out a distinct niche for his works: (mostly) feel-good features about the power of making music together. And while Carney’s films can run the gamut, from the heartbreaking romance of “Once” to the stand-up-and-shout joy of “Sing Street,” they all generally follow characters who become better people when they work with others who also love music.

But, what if two Carney characters could follow that initial script, and then maybe, just maybe, not become better people for it? Such is the concept behind Carney’s latest, “Power Ballad,” which sees Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas meet (cute, frankly), have a fantastic jam session, and then see it spin out in increasingly nutty ways.

In the film, Jonas stars as former boy band star and current striving solo artist Danny (not too much of a stretch for the former Jonas Brothers member and current solo star). At a long-time pal’s wedding, a reluctant Danny ends up taking the stage with the event’s actually pretty great wedding band, led by former wannabe rock star Rick (Rudd). The pair have so much fun together that they spend the rest of the night in an extended song-making session, bro-ing out and genuinely enjoying the experience. Cute, right?

But months later, Rick is startled to discover that Danny has reignited his fading star with a brand-new song. Which just so happens to sound a lot like a song Rick shared with Danny all those nights ago. Whose song is it? Did Danny knowingly steal it? Is there still a chance for Rick to become a star? All that, and more, is on offer in Carney’s latest. (The song at its center? Pretty good! Quite catchy!)

“Power Ballad” also stars Peter McDonald, Marcella Plunkett, Havana Rose Liu, and Carney regular Jack Reynor. It premiered at the Dublin International Film Festival earlier this month, and will next play at SXSW. It marks Carney’s first new film since 2023’s “Flora and Son,” which also starred Reynor.

Lionsgate will release “Power Ballad” in theaters on Friday, June 5. Watch the film’s first trailer below.