Today : Feb 03, 2025
Arts & Culture
03 February 2025

The Weeknd Unleashes Haunting Visuals With "Red Terror" Music Video

The unsettling claymation depicts themes of identity and transformation, alluding to personal and historical narratives.

The Weeknd has taken his cinematic approach to new heights with the release of the eerie music video for his latest single, "Red Terror," which serves as the fourth installment from his forthcoming album, Hurry Up Tomorrow. Directed by Eddie Alcazar, the video combines stark stop-motion animation with deep lyrical themes, crafting a haunting visual narrative.

Portrayed as a mouthless child fleeing through the ominous confines of a nightmare, The Weeknd—born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye—navigates through dark forest settings filled with shadowy monsters. These visuals symbolize his struggle to shed his original identity as he approaches the culmination of his artistic persona, "The Weeknd." This transformation is reflective of the artist's upcoming plans to retire the moniker, embracing his true identity.

Released shortly after his live performance of "Open Hearts" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the video for "Red Terror" serves as both companion piece and narrative prequel to the performance, culminating with the toddler version of himself appearing to beckon him out of the eerie forest.

Alcazar, widely recognized for his creative prowess, explains, “The creative freedom and time I had working with Abel allowed us to explore deep raw themes using bold techniques. By blending live action, stop motion, and VFX, we’ve crafted something truly unique.” The result is not just visually arresting but also deeply layered, symbolically connecting various themes from The Weeknd's musical catalog.

The lyrical content of "Red Terror" resonates with the perspective of innocence as seen through parental eyes. The track's title alludes to the Ethiopian Red Terror, highlighting the political repression faced during the late 1970s. For The Weeknd, who has Ethiopian roots through his parents who emigrated to Canada, this reference adds significant depth to the personal and historical layers addressed throughout his work.

The video stands out for its grotesque yet mesmerizing claymation aesthetic, akin to the stop-motion horror films of directors like Jan Švankmajer. Each frame is crafted with painstaking detail, indicative of the deep introspection The Weeknd offers as he confronts his inner demons—often represented by monstrous figures chasing him through the dark forest.

“Stop motion is considered somewhat of a lost art, with animators averaging just five seconds of footage per day,” Alcazar added. This dedication to artistry showcases The Weeknd's commitment to producing work with emotional resonance. The anxiety underlying the narrative reflects the artist's own tensions as he prepares for his subsequent transformations.

"Red Terror" continues to push the boundaries of music and visuals, enticing fans with each release as they anticipate the full album. Following the earlier singles, such as the chart-topping "Timeless" featuring Playboi Carti, audiences have eagerly awaited how the full album will tie together these projections of both sound and imagery.

The promotional efforts surrounding Hurry Up Tomorrow signal The Weeknd's commitment to presenting his work as narratives far beyond mere songs. His latest tour, After Hours Til Dawn, kicks off next May. This tour is likely slated to be his final one under the name "The Weeknd"—a significant moment for fans and for the artist's evolution.

“Part of me thought, ‘You lost your voice because it’s done; you said what you had to say,’” The Weeknd shared in past interviews, reflecting on his career and inevitability of change. "When is the right time to leave, if not at your peak?" he continued, highlighting his intent to close this chapter as he transitions from pop-R&B to fully embracing his artistic origins.

With 22 tracks and collaborations throughout Hurry Up Tomorrow, The Weeknd’s recent output promises to be both the culmination of his past works and the beginning of his persona's next evolution.

“Red Terror” invites its viewers on this transformative voyage, skillfully weaving pulse-quickening visuals with the heart of lyrical storytelling. Indeed, it marks another milestone as The Weeknd prepares to say goodbye to the character he’s embodied for years and face the path forward as Abel.

With tickets for his anticipated tour set to go on sale February 7, fans can expect performances imbued with the same intensity reflected throughout the "Red Terror" visuals. One thing remains clear: The Weeknd’s next chapter will redefine his art, explorations of identity, and connection to his past.