On May 13, 2025, Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye premiered his ambitious film-album project Hurry Up Tomorrow at New York’s historic Ziegfeld Theatre. Directed and co-written by Trey Edward Shults, and featuring Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan, the autofictional psychological thriller mirrors Tesfaye’s own creative rebirth following a 2022 vocal injury. The star-studded event set the tone for the film’s theatrical release on May 16, offering fans a seamless blend of cinematic storytelling and musical exploration.
1. The Premiere Event
Hurry Up Tomorrow debuted on May 13, 2025, at the Ziegfeld Theatre in Midtown Manhattan—an intimate venue befitting Tesfaye’s introspective project. The red carpet drew photographers eager to capture Tesfaye alongside co-stars Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan, whose chemistry in the film had already generated buzz on social media.
2. Creative Team & Concept
Trey Edward Shults—known for Waves and It Comes at Night—directed and co-wrote the script with Tesfaye and Reza Fahim, crafting a narrative that parallels Tesfaye’s mid-career “breakdown” and reinvention after losing his voice in 2022. The film follows an insomniac musician (Tesfaye) drawn into an existential odyssey by a mysterious fan (Ortega), with Barry Keoghan portraying his beleaguered manager.
3. Star Power & Red-Carpet Style
Jenna Ortega arrived in a sleek noir-inspired ensemble, while Barry Keoghan opted for classic tailoring—both outfits reflecting the film’s dark, stylish tone. Tesfaye sported a custom tuxedo with subtle nods to his After Hours era: a red satin lapel and black gloves, reinforcing the character’s blurred line between performer and persona.
4. Film-Album Synergy
Hurry Up Tomorrow serves dually as Tesfaye’s sixth studio album (released January 31, 2025) and as its cinematic companion Tracks like “I Can’t Fucking Sing” directly reference the 2022 vocal injury that inspired both the album’s themes and the on-screen narrative.
5. Critical & Fan Reaction
Early reviews were mixed:
- People praised the “bold fusion” of music and film but noted a “self-indulgent lean” in its pacing People.com.
- L’Officiel USA highlighted the emotional resonance of Tesfaye’s performance alongside Ortega’s “captivating presence” L’Officiel USA.
- Fans on Reddit lauded the ambitious concept, dubbing it “the future of Celebrity Multimedia” under threads like r/TheWeeknd Reddit.
6. What’s Next
Theatrically released by Lionsgate on May 16, 2025, Hurry Up Tomorrow will expand into global markets, followed by streaming availability later this year. With Tesfaye hinting at one final push before retiring “The Weeknd” persona, this film-album hybrid could mark a watershed moment in how artists control their narratives across mediums.
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