Why is this rated 17+ if there's no violence?

It's all about the 'vibe' and the vocabulary. The music industry setting brings a lot of heavy swearing and adult situations (drinking, cynical career maneuvering) that the ratings boards find inappropriate for younger kids.

Does Nick Jonas actually sing in the movie?

Yes, and he plays the 'fading boy-band star' role with a surprising amount of self-awareness. The music is a huge part of the draw here.

Is it a 'feel-good' movie like Carney's other films?

It's more of a 'bittersweet-good.' It has the musical highs you'd expect, but the conflict is more grounded in the harsh reality of the business than the pure optimism of Sing Street.

Will my kid be bored by the legal/songwriting talk?

If they aren't musicians, probably. The movie spends a lot of time on the minutiae of how a song is constructed and who gets the credit, which is fascinating for some but slow for others.

Power Ballad – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Power Ballad

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2026

68%

WISE Score

Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas duel over a stolen song in a musical dramedy that’s more about ego than harmony.

Power Ballad

movie

R, 2026

68%

WISE Score

Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas duel over a stolen song in a musical dramedy that’s more about ego than harmony.

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Screenwise Verdict

If you loved Sing Street or Begin Again, you know the vibe: great songs, messy people, and a lot of heart. But Power Ballad adds a layer of sharp industry teeth that makes it feel more adult than Carney’s previous work.

It’s a solid watch for parents and older teens who care about the 'how it’s made' side of music, but don't mistake the Nick Jonas casting for a family-friendly boy-band romp. This is a story about a guy getting his soul stolen by the charts, and it plays out with the language to match.

Age Fit

This is strictly for older teens (16+) and adults. The high age rating and the cynical look at the music business will likely fly over the heads of younger kids, even if they like the songs.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

While it centers on the redemptive power of music, the core conflict is rooted in betrayal, ego, and a 'risk everything' obsession that complicates the emotional health of the characters.

Imaginative

Director John Carney is the gold standard for showing the creative process on screen. The way songs are built from scratch is genuinely inspiring for any aspiring musician.

Safe

The Common Sense Media 17+ rating is a massive red flag for families. Expect heavy adult language and mature industry themes that aren't intended for a younger audience.

Enriching

It offers a sharp look at intellectual property, the ethics of artistic credit, and the difference between 'making it' and being an artist.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

John Carney’s direction brings the same musical magic found in Once and Sing Street.
Paul Rudd’s performance as a struggling wedding singer provides a grounded, relatable anchor to the story.
Original music that actually sounds like real hits, making the 'stolen song' premise feel believable.
Artistic ethics are front and center, sparking real questions about who 'owns' an idea.

⚠

What to Watch For

The 17+ age rating isn't for violence; it's almost certainly for a constant stream of F-bombs and mature industry 'lifestyle' choices.
The central conflict is frustrating—watching a character lose their life's work to a pop star can be genuinely stressful for sensitive viewers.

Conversation Starters

"If you help someone finish a song, do you own part of it, or was it just a gift?"
"Why do you think Danny felt he could take Rick's song without asking?"
"Is being famous and successful worth losing your integrity or your friends?"
"How does the movie show the difference between a 'wedding singer' and a 'pop star' beyond just the money?"

Deep Dive

The Carney Touch

John Carney has carved out a very specific niche: the 'musical that isn't a musical.' His characters don't just burst into song; they write, they rehearse, and they struggle with the technicality of sound. In Power Ballad, he uses that realism to explore the darker side of the industry. Having Paul Rudd play the 'past-his-prime' wedding singer is a stroke of genius—he brings a level of empathy to the character of Rick that makes the eventual betrayal by Danny (Nick Jonas) feel like a gut punch.

Why the Age Rating Matters

Parents might see 'musical' and 'Nick Jonas' and think this is a safe bet for a Friday night with the kids. It isn't. The 17+ rating is likely due to the dialogue. Like many movies set in the world of professional musicians, the 'F-word' is used as a comma. Beyond the language, the themes of professional jealousy and legal battles over intellectual property are sophisticated. It’s a great movie to watch with your 17-year-old who is obsessed with their Spotify Wrapped, but it’s not for the middle-school crowd.

The Stolen Song Trope

We've seen the 'stolen song' plot before, but Power Ballad makes it feel fresh by focusing on the relationship between the two men before the theft. You actually buy into their late-night jam session, which makes the fallout much more effective. It’s a cautionary tale about the 'vulture' nature of pop stardom, where everything is up for grabs if it means staying relevant.

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