The year 2025 is bringing excitement for fans of The Weeknd. His highly anticipated album has finally arrived, but the excitement is not just about his music. Fans are eager to experience another creative project from the Canadian pop star.
Abel Tesfaye, known worldwide as The Weeknd, is preparing to leave his stage name behind. This decision follows a similar move made by Donald Glover, who retired his musical identity as Childish Gambino. To mark this major transition, Tesfaye has created a film that ties into his final album.
Hurry Up Tomorrow is a psychological thriller that Tesfaye wrote and stars in. This film serves as a meaningful conclusion to his journey as The Weeknd. It shares the same title as his last album, released on January 31.
This connection emphasizes the finality of this era in his career. Since releasing his debut studio album in 2013, Tesfaye has built an impressive body of work. His latest project is part of a trilogy that includes After Hours (2020) and Dawn FM (2022).
During the trilogy’s run, Tesfaye remained busy. He toured the world and stepped into television with HBO’s controversial series, The Idol. Now, he is taking on the big screen with a film that promises mystery and suspense. The story is expected to provide insight into his mind and experiences. While it is unclear how much of the film is based on his real life, his personal journey gives depth to the character he plays.
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When Will Hurry Up Tomorrow Be Released?
The film will premiere on May 16, 2025. It is set to release alongside the horror movie Final Destination: Bloodlines. The timing places it between major studio releases like Marvel’s Thunderbolts on May 2 and Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning on May 23. With such a competitive lineup, the film is expected to draw attention from music and movie fans alike.
Will Hurry Up Tomorrow Be in Theaters or Available for Streaming?
Audiences will first experience this film exclusively in theaters. No official announcement has been made about when it will be available for streaming. However, reports suggest that it could be released on Prime Video.
Lionsgate, the studio behind the film, recently made a streaming deal with Amazon Prime Video. This partnership increases the chances of the film arriving on the platform after its theatrical run.
The First Look: Hurry Up Tomorrow Trailer
The trailer was released on February 4 and features The Weeknd’s song “São Paulo.” The preview delivers eerie yet gripping scenes, showing him in lonely locations and crowded concert venues. He interacts with a lively friend played by Barry Keoghan (Saltburn), but the tone shifts when he meets a mysterious woman, played by Jenna Ortega (Wednesday).
The trailer closes with a chilling moment. A voice whispers, “Call me by the familiar name,” before another voice shouts “Abel.” This suggests a deeper theme of identity and hints at Tesfaye’s decision to leave his stage name behind.
What Is the Story of Hurry Up Tomorrow?
The plot remains a mystery, which fits the film’s psychological thriller genre. However, in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, director Trey Edward Shults (Waves) and Tesfaye shared some details.
Shults described the movie as a story about “an artist on the verge of a mental breakdown.” Tesfaye called the experience “deeply personal and emotional.” These insights suggest that the film reflects his struggles with fame, identity, and personal challenges.
Interestingly, the movie’s concept took shape before the album was fully developed. The album’s songs will likely be a major part of the film, either as a soundtrack or through performances within scenes. The album’s themes of death, fame, and identity seem to match the film’s intense atmosphere.
One song stands out—”I Can’t F*cking Sing,” the third track on the album. This title might reference a 2022 concert in Los Angeles, where Tesfaye lost his voice mid-performance. In an interview with Variety, he revealed that this incident played a role in his decision to retire The Weeknd identity. It also influenced changes in the movie’s original script.
The film’s trailer showcases surreal visuals, but the real story remains hidden. Until audiences watch the film in theaters, the official synopsis provides a hint:
“A musician plagued by insomnia is pulled into an odyssey with a stranger who begins to unravel the very core of his existence.”
Who Stars in Hurry Up Tomorrow?
Much like the plot, details about the characters have been kept secret. Only two main cast members were confirmed: Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan, both starring alongside Tesfaye.
Tesfaye plays a fictionalized version of himself—a pop star at the height of his career but struggling with personal challenges. His closest relationship is with his friend Lee, played by Keoghan. Lee is not just his companion but also his manager, which complicates their friendship.
The musician’s life changes when he meets Anima, played by Ortega. She appears to be a devoted fan who crosses the boundary between admiration and personal connection. The trailer suggests that her presence brings strange events and deep realizations into his life.
Who Is Behind Hurry Up Tomorrow?
This project holds special significance for Abel Tesfaye, as he is not only the lead actor but also the writer and producer. He collaborated with Trey Edward Shults and Reza Fahim (The Idol) to write the screenplay.
Shults directed and edited the film. He is known for directing It Comes at Night and Waves. Tesfaye became interested in working with Shults after watching Waves in 2019.
The film’s production team includes Kevin Turen and Harrison Kreiss, both of whom previously worked on The Idol and Waves.
When and Where Was Hurry Up Tomorrow Filmed?
By the time the film was officially announced in February 2023, production was already underway. Cinematographer Chayse Irvin shared posts on Instagram confirming that filming took place in Los Angeles.
A Bold Transition for Abel Tesfaye
Abel Tesfaye is making a significant shift in his career. Hurry Up Tomorrow is not just another film—it is a symbolic farewell to The Weeknd identity. The movie and album work together to reflect on fame, identity, and personal struggles.
With a theatrical release set for May 16, fans will soon experience this psychological journey. As the date approaches, curiosity continues to grow. What final message does The Weeknd have for his audience? The film will provide the answers in a thrilling and thought-provoking way.
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