Abel Tesfaye, known professionally as The Weeknd, is promoting his debut movie, 'Hurry Up Tomorrow,' which stars Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan. The film is scheduled to be released theatrically in the United States on May 16, 2025.
'Hurry Up Tomorrow' is described as an upcoming American musical psychological thriller film directed and edited by Trey Edward Shults. Shults co-wrote the screenplay with Tesfaye and Reza Fahim. The film serves as a companion piece to The Weeknd's sixth studio album of the same name. The album was inspired by the experience of Tesfaye losing his voice mid-concert in Los Angeles in 2022.
The film stars The Weeknd as a fictionalized version of himself, an insomniac musician. He is described as being on the verge of a mental breakdown and pulled into an existential odyssey by a mysterious stranger. Jenna Ortega plays Anima, a figure described as both a grounding presence and an enigma. Barry Keoghan plays Lee.
The Weeknd sees his rise to fame as a detour to his passion of cinema. He stated that he always wanted to make movies and incorporate music. He feels that cinema's DNA is present in his albums, music videos, performances, and stage presence.
Trey Edward Shults has described the film as "experimental" and "subjective," allowing viewers to interpret the story, with ambiguity being very intentional. Shults also said the film is "kinda like Raging Bull and Persona meets Purple Rain". The film does not spell everything out, leaving room for individual interpretations that can evolve over time. The goal was to create something fresh, different, and unique.
The film is inspired by a real-life incident where Tesfaye lost his voice during a concert and realized it was psychological. This incident led him to reflect on what would happen if the thing he relied on most was taken away. The film explores themes of identity collapse and disconnection from reality. According to The Weeknd, one of the main concepts of the film is sleep paralysis, which he experiences himself. He describes sleep paralysis as being half-asleep and half-awake, aware of your surroundings but unable to move.
Jenna Ortega has said that her character, Anima, is the feminine side of Abel, the sweet side, who he has been neglecting.
'Hurry Up Tomorrow' is produced by Tesfaye and Fahim through Manic Phase, with Kevin Turen and Harrison Kreiss. Shults, Ortega, Michael Rapino, Ryan Kroft, Wassim "Sal" Slaiby and Harrison Huffman served as executive producers. The cinematography is handled by Chayse Irvin, and Daniel Lopatin composed the score with Tesfaye. Lionsgate acquired the worldwide distribution rights to the film in November 2024.