The Weeknd’s ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’ Blurs Music and Film in Thrilling Debut

LOS ANGELES, CA – Canadian musician The Weeknd, also known as Abel Tesfaye, is set to make his feature film debut with the psychological thriller “Hurry Up Tomorrow,” premiering in theaters on May 16. While the film shares its name with his upcoming album, it diverges from the concept of a traditional visual album and instead explores the depths of fame and personal identity.

The film, directed by Trey Edward Shults, features Tesfaye in a fictionalized role that challenges him to confront his persona as an artist. Inspired partly by an unsettling experience during a concert at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium in 2022, where Tesfaye’s voice unexpectedly failed him, the narrative delves into psychological themes.

Shults describes the film as “kinda like Raging Bull and Persona meets Purple Rain,” indicating a blend of intense personal struggle and artistic exploration. He co-wrote the film with Tesfaye and Reza Fahim, drawing upon the singer’s real-life confrontations with his own image. The movie’s lead character, also named Abel, closely mirrors Tesfaye’s own battles with fame and self-perception.

“I think it was a test: ‘What happens if this thing that you’re relying on too much is taken away from you?’” Tesfaye shared in an interview with Empire, reflecting on his vocal crisis. “I think that I needed that experience, on the biggest stage of my career, because that way I couldn’t ignore it,” he added, indicating a turning point in how he approaches his identity.

In the film, Tesfaye’s character is joined by Jenna Ortega, who portrays Ani, a figure that embodies the softer, neglected aspects of Abel’s personality. “She’s the feminine side of Abel. The sweet side,” Ortega revealed, emphasizing the character’s influence on guiding Tesfaye’s alter ego toward self-discovery. She noted that Abel has long overlooked this part of himself due to the pressures of fame.

The multifaceted narrative of “Hurry Up Tomorrow” not only showcases Tesfaye’s talents in a new arena but also aims to provoke discussions about the complexities of identity amidst public scrutiny. As viewers prepare to experience the film, they are promised an ambitious project that extends beyond mere visuals into deeper thematic territory.

Fans can learn more about the film and its creative process in Empire’s upcoming feature, which will include insights from The Weeknd, Shults, Ortega, and co-star Barry Keoghan. The film opens in theaters across the UK on May 16, 2025, further contributing to the artist’s evolving legacy.