Robert Rodriguez places Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande in parallel worlds at odds, but also in sync with each other, for Rain On Me.

Rodriguez, the movie director best known for works including From Dusk Till Dawn and Machete, brings a hint of his latest film - Alita: Battle Angel - to this music video within a dystopian city landscape. Filming in Los Angeles just before lockdown, Rodriguez reunited with Gaga, who starred in his sequels Machete Kills and Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.

Lady Gaga’s character begins lying injured, in a dark underworld. Her cyberpunk appearance is the least striking detail here, as knives begin falling from the sky. In a world that oozes Blade Runner-influenced production design, Lady Gaga’s classic choreography is central to the visuals while the rain pours down.

As the beat drops, we spin into Ariana Grande’s juxtaposing world of soft, pale tones, plus an aesthetic that is immediately recognisable - high ponytail, and butterfly wings included.

The futuristic elements are maintained, bridging the two worlds together, as the video cuts between the two scenes. Then finally, the worlds collide and they become versions of each other. The violent beginning stands in stark contrast to the gentle lavender mist and effervescent, upbeat ending that reflects the positive tone of the lyrics.

The Rain On Me video combines the aesthetic of both artists, giving a hint of Ariana Grande’s ‘no tears left to cry’ and the ‘thank u, next’ hot pink tones, with Lady Gaga’s cyberpunk Chromatica album.