Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye is taking another leap into acting with Hurry Up Tomorrow, his first leading role in a feature film. And just like his previous foray into acting in The Idol, he’s not doing it alone. The psychological thriller brings together Tesfaye with director Trey Edward Shults and co-stars Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan.
The film is closely tied to The Weeknd’s upcoming sixth studio album of the same name, set to be the final chapter in a trilogy that began with After Hours in 2020 and Dawn FM in 2022. Shults co-wrote the screenplay alongside The Weeknd and Reza Fahim, crafting a story that blurs the lines between reality and illusion.
The story follows a musician suffering from insomnia who is drawn into an unpredictable journey with a stranger, played by Ortega, that begins to unravel his entire sense of self. Keoghan, a real-life friend of The Weeknd, takes on the role of his manager. Shults describes the film as a blend of psychological thriller and drama, offering something audiences haven’t quite seen before.
Hurry Up Tomorrow is set to hit theaters on May 16, 2025, following the album’s release on January 31, 2025. The album features contributions from Lana Del Rey, Future, Travis Scott, and Justice, and early projections suggest it could be one of his biggest releases yet.
This project also comes at a pivotal moment for The Weeknd, who has hinted that Hurry Up Tomorrow may be his final album under his longtime moniker. Whether this marks the end of an era or simply a new chapter, the combination of film and music promises to leave a lasting impact.
The first trailer has just dropped—watch it below.