Abel Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd, is making his big-screen debut in a leading role in "Hurry Up Tomorrow." This feature-length film, which shares its name with his sixth studio album, will hit theaters on May 16. The movie marks a significant shift in Tesfaye's career, showcasing his evolution from chart-topping pop artist to actor.
As teased in the newly released trailer, "Hurry Up Tomorrow" is a psychological thriller that features Tesfaye in a semi-autobiographical role. The film also has an impressive supporting cast, including "Wednesday" star Jenna Ortega and Oscar nominee Barry Keoghan. The official synopsis describes the movie as the story of "a musician plagued by insomnia who is pulled into an odyssey with a stranger who begins to unravel the very core of his existence."
Trey Edward Shults directed the film. Shults, Reza Fahim, and Tesfaye collaborated on the screenplay, ensuring that the story was deeply personal and reflected the musician's artistic vision.
The Weeknd's Hollywood Journey
While "Hurry Up Tomorrow" marks Tesfaye's first lead role in a feature film, he is no stranger to Hollywood. The Grammy-winning artist received an Oscar nomination for writing the original song "Earned It" from "Fifty Shades of Grey" in 2015. He also co-created and starred in HBO's "The Idol" in 2023 and made a memorable cameo as himself in the 2019 thriller "Uncut Gems" alongside Adam Sandler.
Speaking to W Magazine in 2023, Tesfaye hinted at a significant transition in his career. "The album I'm working on now is probably my last hurrah as The Weeknd," he said. "This is something that I have to do. As The Weeknd, I've said everything I can say."
Praise from Director and Co-Stars
Director Trey Edward Shults had nothing but praise for Tesfaye's performance, telling Variety in a January 10 interview, "I was blown away by how well he responds to direction as an actor. There were days where I was ready to walk away from a scene, thinking we got it, and he would ask for another take and push the scene to a new level."
Tesfaye's co-stars also praised him highly. Keoghan, who plays a pivotal role in the film, was personally chosen by Tesfaye for the project. "He was always number one on my list for his role," Tesfaye told the publication.
Jenna Ortega, another standout in the cast, brought a fresh perspective to her character. "There was a scene where Trey and I looked at each other like, 'On paper, this is just ridiculous — how is it going to translate on screen?'" Tesfaye recalled. "And she said, 'I have an idea.' She led that whole scene — none of it was rehearsed, and a lot of my reactions in it are not acting."
Ortega also highly praised Tesfaye, saying, "He is such a sweetheart and really looked out for everyone on our set. It was so great getting to know him and helping bring his vision to life."
Lionsgate will distribute "Hurry Up Tomorrow," which will premiere in theaters on May 16.