The Weeknd Explores Identity in ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’ Film

NEW YORK CITY, NY — The Weeknd, known as Abel Tesfaye, celebrates the release of his film ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow‘ this Friday, May 16. The film follows a fictional version of The Weeknd, who struggles with insomnia and embarks on a journey that interrogates his existence.

Directed by Trey Edward Shults, ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’ features music that echoes The Weeknd’s own narrative arc. The album centers on the song ‘Wake Me Up’, which not only opens the film but also mirrors The Weeknd’s captivating live performances in Brazil and Australia.

“We always wanted a performance song that we can open the film with, and ‘Wake Me Up’ was the inspiration,” The Weeknd explains. Throughout the film, he mimics experiences from his past, including a concert at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium that was abruptly halted.

Johnnie Burn, the film’s sound designer, described the intense process involved in perfecting the sound of ‘Wake Me Up’ for the film, stating they remixed it 35 times to capture the right emotional tone. “Are you hearing it from a deeply psychological, emotional ride? Yeah, you are,” Burn said.

The centerpiece of the film, ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow,’ takes cues from Robert Altman‘s 1973 film ‘The Long Goodbye‘. The Weeknd shared that it plays multiple times throughout the movie, showcasing different versions and how it fits into the story’s unfolding.

In an emotional hotel scene, The Weeknd’s character shares a draft of the song with Anima, played by Jenna Ortega. She relates deeply to its lyrics, sharing her struggles of isolation and abandonment.

The film not only features new tracks but also incorporates The Weeknd’s hits like ‘Blinding Lights‘ and ‘Gasoline.’ Anima’s interactions with The Weeknd question the darker elements of his music.

<p“This movie is a journey of self-discovery. I’m lighting my persona up on fire,” The Weeknd said, emphasizing the personal stakes embedded in the film and its music. “It’s always been a joke that my music feels jolly, yet the themes are much deeper.”

As he nears retirement from his stage moniker, The Weeknd reflects on the significance of his journey and the character he’s portrayed for over a decade. ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’ serves both as a farewell and a reminder of his evolving artistry.

The Weeknd stated in his premiere interview, “We wanted to do something we’ve never seen or heard on screen before… I’m really proud of the music, and I’m proud of the sonics of it. It’s like its own experience.”