The anticipation for the release of The Weeknd's first feature film, Hurry Up Tomorrow, continues to build following the recent premiere of his sixth studio album of the same name. Set to hit theaters on May 16, 2025, the psychological thriller pairs the musician with notable talents like Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan, and is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Trey Edward Shults.
Hurry Up Tomorrow dives deep, offering audiences a gripping tale centered around the life of a musician who suffers from insomnia. According to Shults, the official plot line reveals, "A musician plagued by insomnia gets pulled INTO AN ODYSSEY with a stranger (Jenna Ortega) who begins to unravel the very core of his existence.” Adding additional layers to the story, Shults describes the film as being about "an artist, you could say, on the verge of a mental breakdown. He meets this woman, and they go on this odyssey together. It’s a mix of psychological thriller and drama.”
This new venture marks The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, as he steps onto the silver screen, having gained prior acting experience on the HBO series The Idol. Reflecting on the cathartic nature of the experience, he shared, “This experience was really introspective and cathartic for me. From writing to production and through post – I realized just how much of a catalyst this art form can be for conversations about our emotions, mental health, and vulnerabilities.”
The Weeknd's transition from music to film has not been one without foresight. The collaboration with Shults wasn’t merely about translating music to film, but rather about creating something unique. The director emphasizes, “It’s not like, ‘Here’s the album, I want to make a movie.’ It was more like, ‘Let’s make a movie.’” The chemistry between the two appears palpable; Shults noted they meshed surprisingly well. "I really liked his energy and his approach with creativity,” he was quoted saying.
Ortega adds to the film’s artistry by portraying Anima, who is described as representing aspects of The Weeknd himself, stating, “My character is a version of Abel. A side of him THAT THE PERSONA THE WEEKND doesn’t show as much.” This interpretative role allows her to deeply explore the duality of identity and artistry within the film’s narrative structure.
Keoghan portrays the musician’s manager, noting significant layers of his character’s relationship with The Weeknd’s character. Shults commented on the complexity of Keoghan's role, saying, “there’s a lot of love from him, but I think there are some darker intentions with him as well.”
The synergy of the cast is intended to create memorable cinematic moments, capable of leaving audiences enthralled. Shults praises Ortega’s performance, declaring, “I don’t think we’ve ever seen a performance like this by her.”
The thematic elements of Hurry Up Tomorrow resonate powerfully with contemporary conversations about mental health, including the transformative impact of the arts. The personal roots weave through the narrative since Tesfaye drew inspiration from his own experiences, including overcoming challenges with performance anxiety and vocal loss. The Weeknd shared, “I knew I really needed to sit the f--- down and figure out my life,” after confronting issues around his creativity and identity.
This film marks not only The Weeknd's cinematic debut, intertwining his music and artistry, but it also signals his potential evolution as an artist. The director hopes the film will resonate with both devoted fans and general audiences, ensuring they engage with its rich psychological brew. “For his fans and people who want to approach it at THAT LEVEL, I hope it’s very satisfying; and for people who aren’t his fans, I think you still have a great movie to go through.”
With Hurry Up Tomorrow set to land on screens soon, both its soundtrack and film promise to forge spaces for deep emotional and psychological introspection within the audience, showcasing the evolution of The Weeknd as he embarks on this ambitious creative venture.