February 5, 2025: Pop sensation Abel Tesfaye, known professionally as The Weeknd, is set to make his feature film debut in the suspenseful thriller Hurry Up Tomorrow, with its official trailer now available. Directed by Trey Edward Shults, the movie is set to hit theatres on May 16, 2025, under Lionsgate.
In the newly released trailer, Tesfaye stars as a musician named Abel Tesfaye, who is struggling with insomnia and spiraling into an emotional breakdown. His character embarks on a dark journey, encountering a mysterious stranger who begins to challenge his very sense of self. The trailer teases an intense odyssey that blurs the lines between reality and perception, leaving audiences intrigued about how Tesfaye’s character will navigate his mental and emotional turmoil.
One moment in the trailer has sparked further speculation about The Weeknd’s desire to distance himself from his pop star persona. A voice in the teaser says, “Call me by the familiar name,” followed by a shout of “Abel!” This could hint at a deeper, more personal exploration of Tesfaye’s identity and the challenges of being constantly in the public eye.
Hurry Up Tomorrow is inspired by The Weeknd’s latest album of the same name, which was released just days before the trailer’s debut. The album marks the final chapter in a trilogy that includes his 2020 release After Hours and his 2022 album Dawn FM.
The film stars Jenna Ortega as Anima and Barry Keoghan as Lee, with Tesfaye taking on his first feature film role. Shults, known for his work on Waves and It Comes at Night, directed the project, which he co-wrote with Tesfaye and his producing partner Reza Fahim.
The announcement of Hurry Up Tomorrow comes shortly after The Weeknd’s unexpected performance at the 2025 Grammy Awards, despite previously stating that he would boycott the ceremony following his 2021 snub. Tesfaye surprised fans with a live performance of tracks from his new album, including Cry For Me and Timeless, further fueling interest in his ongoing evolution as an artist.
Tesfaye’s new film venture isn’t his first time in front of the camera. He previously starred in HBO’s The Idol, a series produced by Sam Levinson, creator of Euphoria. With Hurry Up Tomorrow, the multi-talented artist is taking his career in an exciting new direction, exploring deeper themes of identity and self-doubt. Fans are eager to see how he brings this new project to life on the big screen.
Hurry Up Tomorrow promises to be a compelling mix of psychological drama, thriller, and personal reflection, adding another layer to The Weeknd’s evolving artistic journey.