Few artists blur the lines between music and storytelling like The Weeknd. From his conceptual albums to his immersive music videos, he has continuously expanded the boundaries of his artistry. Now, he’s taking his vision to the big screen with Hurry Up Tomorrow, a musically driven psychological thriller co-starring Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan. Directed by Trey Edward Shults (It Comes at Night), the film is set to hit theaters on May 16, 2025, promising to be one of the year’s most talked-about cinematic releases.
The announcement comes alongside the impending release of The Weeknd’s album, also titled Hurry Up Tomorrow, dropping January 24, 2025. The connection between the two projects is evident, with the artist teasing a deep, introspective journey in the album’s promotional material. “I look in the mirror and feel both old and new, stuck in limbo and unable to move,” he said in a cryptic video. This duality—grappling with the past while seeking a future—seems to be the emotional backbone of both the record and the movie.
Rumors have swirled about the film’s narrative, with some speculating it to be a loose remake of the 1990 thriller Misery. If true, this would see The Weeknd playing a famous singer and Ortega as an obsessive fan—a dynamic ripe for tension and intrigue. Shults’ involvement as director adds further weight, as his previous works have balanced raw emotion with haunting visuals, suggesting a film that will be as stylistically striking as it is narratively gripping.
The inclusion of Jenna Ortega, a rising star known for her roles in Wednesday and Scream, alongside Barry Keoghan, fresh off his Oscar-nominated performance in The Banshees of Inisherin, further cements Hurry Up Tomorrow as a high-caliber project. It’s a cast brimming with potential to deliver the layered performances this kind of psychological drama demands.
This isn’t The Weeknd’s first foray into acting—his role in Uncut Gems hinted at his cinematic aspirations. However, Hurry Up Tomorrow marks a significant evolution, intertwining his music and storytelling in ways that could redefine how artists approach multimedia projects.
With a release date strategically positioned in a crowded May 2025 lineup, including a new Final Destination film and the live-action Lilo & Stitch, Hurry Up Tomorrow is poised to stand out, especially given The Weeknd’s devoted fanbase and undeniable star power.
Whether as a psychological thriller, an experimental film, or an extension of his musical identity, Hurry Up Tomorrow promises to push boundaries. As The Weeknd himself hinted, “When today ends, I’ll discover who I am. Hurry Up Tomorrow.”