Hollywood charm landed in Dublin last night as Paul Rudd stepped onto the red carpet at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre for the Dublin International Film Festival.
The Ant-Man star was in town promoting his latest film, Power Ballad, alongside co-star Nick Jonas, who also made an appearance to greet fans and pose for photos.
And yes — the crowds showed up early.
A Warm Dublin Welcome
Fans lined the red carpet outside the theatre hours before arrivals, hoping to catch a glimpse of Rudd, whose easygoing humour and ageless looks have made him one of Hollywood’s most enduringly likeable leading men.
Dressed in a tailored navy suit with an open-collared shirt, Rudd stopped to sign autographs and chat with fans, taking his time rather than rushing past the barricades — a move that did not go unnoticed.
The pair appeared relaxed and playful together, laughing as they posed for photographers.
Inside Power Ballad
Power Ballad sees Rudd and Jonas share the screen in what’s being described as a music-driven dramedy with a nostalgic edge.
While full plot details have been kept tightly under wraps, the film reportedly centres on the emotional highs and lows of the music industry, with Jonas playing a charismatic performer navigating fame and artistic pressure, and Rudd taking on a key role that blends mentorship, comedy and heart.
It’s a pairing that might surprise some audiences on paper — but early buzz from the festival suggests their chemistry is one of the film’s strongest assets.
Jonas, who has steadily expanded his acting résumé in recent years, appears keen to lean further into film. Rudd, on the other hand, continues to balance blockbuster franchises with smaller, character-driven projects — a strategy that has quietly kept his career remarkably consistent.
Festival Energy
The Dublin International Film Festival has increasingly become a major stop on the promotional circuit, drawing A-list talent to the Irish capital. The Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, with its sweeping glass façade and riverside setting, provided a suitably glamorous backdrop for the premiere.
Inside, the atmosphere was electric. Festival attendees praised the film’s mix of humour and emotional resonance, with applause ringing out as the end credits rolled.
Following the screening, Rudd and Jonas participated in a brief Q&A, where they spoke about collaborating on a music-focused project and the challenges of capturing the intensity of performance on screen.
Rudd joked about his own musical abilities — or lack thereof — earning laughs from the audience, while Jonas reflected on how personal aspects of the story felt given his own career in the spotlight.
