Prince stars as “The Kid” in the 1984 rock musical film Purple Rain. The character is a gifted but troubled Minneapolis musician who performs with his band, The Revolution, while struggling with family conflict, romance, and a rivalry with Morris, played by Morris Day.
Purple Rain was Prince’s feature-film debut and was directed by Albert Magnoli, who also co-wrote the screenplay. The film blends backstage drama, semi-autobiographical elements, and concert performances, allowing Prince’s music to drive both the story and its emotional turning points. Its soundtrack includes “When Doves Cry,” “Let’s Go Crazy,” and the title song.
A common mix-up is confusing Prince’s real name with his character’s name: the performer is Prince, but the role is officially called The Kid. Apollonia Kotero plays Apollonia, while Morris Day portrays the Kid’s chief musical rival. Purple Rain became a major commercial and cultural success and was added to the U.S. National Film Registry in 2019.