Hurry Up Tomorrow Review: The Weeknd’s Meta-Thriller as a Visual Symphony
Regrets? The Weeknd has a few. In Hurry Up Tomorrow, a celluloid roman-à-clef tied to his sixth studio album, the Grammy-winning sensation known as Abel Tesfaye navigates through the aftermath of a tangled connection with a deranged groupie. This meta-thriller raises questions not just about his characters but about the viewer’s time investment over a sprawling two-hour runtime.
A Unique Blend of Reality and Fiction
Despite its classification as a thriller, Hurry Up Tomorrow is rooted in a real-life moment of vulnerability: when The Weeknd lost his voice filming The Idol, sandwiched between a global stadium tour. This film blurs the lines between sincere reflection and satirical self-critique, often leaving audiences puzzled and occasionally feeling like they missed the punchline. The Weeknd, adept at crafting a persona filled with enigmatic layers, recalls memories of his dizzying Super Bowl half-time show and his outrageous face-bandage promotion for the After Hours album.
A New Film Venture
This marks the Weeknd’s third attempt at creating a film based on his music, yet it’s the first to take on feature length. Partnering with Trey Edward Shults, who co-wrote the screenplay with him and The Idol creator Reza Fahim, the film dives deep into themes of fame, addiction, and the chaos of relationships. Here, the Weeknd’s character is depicted grappling with a combustible breakup, as the pressures of fame manifest in visually striking sequences.
Meeting Anima: A Fateful Encounter
The story takes an intriguing turn when our protagonist runs into Anima, played by Jenna Ortega, who initially appears as a mere escape from his chaotic life. Their first encounter is as incendiary as it is unexpected; Anima is shown igniting his childhood home before the Weeknd’s terrified eyes. As their relationship blossoms, filled with music and emotional depth, the connection quickly spirals into a tumultuous affair. When he implores her not to leave him, those words reverberate with severe consequences.
Visually Striking, Yet Lacking Clarity
While the film captures the audience’s eye—having been shot on 35mm film, offering brilliant widescreen vistas of the Canadian Rockies and Southern California—it ultimately fails to achieve narrative clarity. The Weeknd commands attention on-screen, bringing the kind of energy that hearkens back to Michael Jackson, drawing viewers into the chemistry with Ortega. However, their intimate exchange feels squandered within a film that unfolds like an extended music video, reminiscent of his earlier visual endeavors.
Too Muddled for Impact
Nevertheless, the film grapples with its own lack of coherence. Character development is stunted, and the film’s focus on the Weeknd’s character grappling with addiction detracts from potentially richer storylines. A glaring example is the underutilization of Barry Keoghan, who plays Abel’s best friend and manager—his character could have been pivotal, yet receives minimal screen time.
Shults’ artistic style, characterized by kaleidoscopic visual transitions, sometimes distracts from the intended emotional impact. Particularly frustrating are scenes in which Anima critiqued the Weeknd’s iconic songs, often feeling more torturous than the emotional turmoil depicted in the movie itself.
A Missed Opportunity?
Hurry Up Tomorrow attempts to break the mold of the album-turned-movie format, previously explored in classics like Purple Rain and The Wall. However, it ultimately feels like an emo rocker’s therapy session gone awry, leaning into self-indulgent territory. The irony intended in the narrative lacks the finesse required to resonate with viewers.
In the grand scheme, this film may fade into the background of The Weeknd’s artistic timeline. Missing the mark on irony and depth, Hurry Up Tomorrow risks becoming a mere footnote—one day, The Weeknd might just regret this missed opportunity to elevate his storytelling from the abstract to the unforgettable.
For further insights into the Weeknd’s journey and creative explorations, check out articles on his music and film aspirations.
