Hurry Up Tomorrow is the newest project from The Weeknd, also known as Abel Tesfaye. The movie is connected to his sixth studio album and is supposed to be a deep, emotional look at the dark side of fame, love, and regret. The story centers on a rock star, played by The Weeknd himself, who gets caught up with a troubled fan. This strange relationship forces him to face the chaos he’s caused in his personal life.
But instead of being a gripping thriller, the film feels like a long, stylish music video that never really knows what it wants to say.
Inspired by Real Life
The movie is loosely based on a real moment from The Weeknd’s life—when he lost his voice while filming The Idol and performing a world tour. That sense of exhaustion and emotional burnout is a big theme throughout the film. The story blurs the line between fiction and reality, something The Weeknd often does in his work.
However, that same mix of truth and fantasy makes it hard to understand what’s sincere and what’s satire.
A Shaky Plot with Great Visuals
The film starts off interestingly enough. After a stressful concert, the Weeknd’s character runs away and meets a mysterious woman named Anima, played by Jenna Ortega. She seems kind at first, but we later learn she’s not as harmless as she looks. In fact, she’s already done something shocking: she set his childhood home on fire.
What follows is a mix of emotional talks, drug-filled nights, and dreamlike sequences that are meant to explore his mental state. While some of these scenes are beautifully shot—especially the wide shots of mountains and city lights—there’s very little story to hold it all together. It often feels like you’re watching a two-hour-long music video instead of a movie with a clear message.
Missed Opportunities
One of the most disappointing parts of the film is how it wastes some of its best actors. Barry Keoghan plays the Weeknd’s manager and close friend, but barely gets any screen time. Meanwhile, Ortega does her best with the role of Anima, and the chemistry between her and The Weeknd is strong. Still, the film doesn’t give them enough meaningful dialogue or direction.
Instead, much of the movie is filled with strange scenes that try to be deep but end up feeling slow or confusing. There’s even a part where Anima critiques The Weeknd’s songs like a music critic, and it feels awkward and forced.
