Director: John Carney
Cast: Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Peter McDonald
Power Ballad is a 2026 Irish-American comedy-drama-musical directed by John Carney, starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas. Set against the world of wedding gigs and fading pop glory, it tells the story of two musicians at very different points in their careers who find an unlikely creative bond.
What is Power Ballad about?
Rick has spent years performing at receptions and private events, his bigger ambitions long gathering dust. Danny was once a household name in a boy band, but that spotlight has dimmed considerably. Their paths cross during a late-night session that starts as small talk and ends as genuine musical collaboration. When a song Rick wrote becomes the centerpiece of Danny's comeback, Rick begins to wonder whether credit — and the life he imagined — will ever find its way back to him. The film follows both men as they wrestle with ego, friendship, and what it really means to make something worth hearing.
Cast & crew
Director John Carney has built a career on music-driven stories with emotional grounding. Paul Rudd brings his signature warmth and dry wit to Rick, while Nick Jonas steps into dramatic territory as the fading pop idol Danny. Peter McDonald rounds out the principal cast, adding texture to the story's comic and emotional beats.
Context & significance
For Persian-speaking viewers in the diaspora, Power Ballad lands with particular resonance. Music has always sat at the center of Iranian cultural identity — from cassette tapes smuggled across borders to YouTube playlists that keep a connection to home alive — and a film about two men fighting for what their music means to them speaks to something universal in that experience. Carney's previous work has found devoted audiences among Iranian viewers who appreciate stories that treat music not as backdrop but as the actual emotional language of the characters. Power Ballad is available on K-Time with Persian DUB as well as Persian subtitles, so viewers can choose how they want to experience it.
Where & how to watch
Power Ballad is available on K-Time with full Persian DUB and Persian subtitles. Stream it on the web, on your TV, or on your phone — no extra download or VPN needed. Start watching whenever you like and cancel anytime.