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Hurry Up Tomorrow (2025) by Trey Edward Shults: A Descent into the Psyche of a Superstar

  • Writer: dailyentertainment95
    dailyentertainment95
  • Jul 29
  • 7 min read

Short Summary: An Existential Nightmare Plagued by insomnia and depression after a breakup, a fictionalized version of musician Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd) finds himself spiraling into a nightmarish odyssey. A mysterious fan, Anima, pulls him into a journey that forces him to confront his past, his persona, and the very core of his existence, ultimately leading to a battle for his identity.

Detailed Summary: Fame, Addiction, and the Fight for Self

  • The Collapsing Persona: The film opens with music superstar Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd) grappling with intense depression and insomnia, exacerbated by a recent breakup. During a concert, he loses his voice due to psychological stress and walks off stage, a real-life incident that deeply impacted Tesfaye.

  • A Mysterious Encounter: Meanwhile, Anima, a devoted and seemingly troubled fan, sets her house on fire before driving to Los Angeles for Abel's concert. She manages to sneak backstage and meets Abel, who, intrigued, decides to spend the night with her, dismissing his security.

  • A Night of Revelation and Conflict: Their night together unfolds as a surreal journey through Pacific Park and a hotel. Anima connects deeply with Abel's unfinished song "Hurry Up Tomorrow," relating to its themes of loneliness and abandonment. However, as Abel prepares to leave the next day, Anima accuses him of abandoning her and pleads for emotional honesty. When he refuses, she knocks him unconscious.

  • The Nightmare Within: Abel experiences a vivid nightmare where he wanders deserted streets, encounters his child self, and flees from a shrieking woman, symbolizing his internal struggles.

  • Confrontation and Catharsis: He awakens tied to the hotel bed, as Anima dances to his songs, interpreting them as reflections of his toxic relationships, drug addiction, and depression. A violent confrontation ensues when Abel's manager, Lee, tracks him to the hotel. Anima fatally stabs Lee, then douses Abel with gasoline, demanding he be honest. Abel finally pacifies her by singing "Hurry Up Tomorrow," symbolizing his breakthrough and potential reconciliation with his inner turmoil.

  • An Allegory of Identity: The film suggests that Anima and Lee are not external characters but rather personifications of different facets of Abel's psyche – Anima representing his pre-fame purity and innocence, and Lee embodying his ambition and darker impulses. The entire narrative can be interpreted as an internal battle for Abel to reclaim his true self from "The Weeknd" persona.

Director's Vision: Surrealism and Psychological Depth

  • Trey Edward Shults, known for his intense and visually striking films, aims to create a bold, audiovisual experience that blurs the lines between music and cinema.

  • The film is a companion piece to The Weeknd's 2025 album of the same name, with Shults collaborating closely with Abel Tesfaye to translate the album's themes into a surreal and dreamlike narrative.

  • Shults utilizes gorgeous cinematography and a hypnotic score to create a mood piece that prioritizes abstract symbolism and emotional depth over a straightforward plot, leaving much open to interpretation.

  • The director intends to explore the complexities of fame, addiction, mental health, and the struggle to maintain one's identity under immense public pressure.

  • The visual style, including changes in aspect ratios and 360-degree shots, aims to immerse the audience in Abel's fractured psychological state.

Themes: Identity, Fame, and the Human Psyche

  • The Battle for Identity: Central to the film is Abel's struggle to reconcile his true self (Abel Tesfaye) with his superstar alter ego (The Weeknd). The film explores the psychological toll of a persona that consumes the individual.

  • Fame and Its Discontents: "Hurry Up Tomorrow" delves into the darker side of fame, showcasing the isolation, paranoia, and self-destructive behaviors that can arise from extreme success and public scrutiny.

  • Addiction and Mental Health: The narrative prominently features themes of drug addiction, depression, and insomnia, depicting the protagonist's descent into a fragile mental state and his attempts to cope.

  • Existentialism and Self-Reflection: The film takes viewers on an odyssey of self-discovery, forcing Abel to confront his past choices, his vulnerabilities, and the very meaning of his existence.

  • Purity vs. Corruption: The characters of Anima and Lee can be seen as symbolic representations of Abel's internal struggle between his innate purity and the corrupting influences of his lifestyle.

Key Success Factors: Artistic Collaboration and Immersive Experience

  • The Weeknd's Star Power and Personal Connection: Abel Tesfaye's involvement as co-writer, producer, and lead actor, playing a fictionalized version of himself, provides an unparalleled level of authenticity and intrigue, leveraging his massive global fanbase.

  • Trey Edward Shults' Distinctive Vision: Shults' established reputation for crafting intense, emotionally charged, and visually striking films ensures a unique and artistic cinematic experience.

  • Companion Piece to an Album: The film's direct link to The Weeknd's 2025 album "Hurry Up Tomorrow" creates a multi-platform artistic endeavor, enhancing the overall narrative and drawing in fans of his music.

  • Strong Supporting Cast: The inclusion of talented actors like Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan adds significant depth and intensity to the psychological drama.

  • Surreal and Abstract Storytelling: The film's willingness to embrace surrealism and prioritize symbolic imagery over linear narrative offers a thought-provoking and often unsettling viewing experience that encourages deeper interpretation.

Awards and Nominations: Early Buzz and Industry Recognition While specific awards for the film itself may still be emerging due to its 2025 release, the companion album "Hurry Up Tomorrow" has already received significant recognition, including a BET Awards 2025 Album of the Year nomination. This early buzz surrounding the album, which heavily influences the film's narrative and themes, suggests potential for future film industry accolades.

Critics Reception: A Divisive but Ambitious Work

  • AV Club: Describes the film as "pure shtick, none of it funny," suggesting it promotes nothing and feels like a visual that fails to deliver a coherent narrative, even calling it "excruciating" as a music video. However, it praises Jenna Ortega's expressive performance.

  • YouTube Review (Blimsy): Highlights the film's strengths as "gorgeous cinematography, hypnotic score, and surprisingly solid performances," but notes that its "lack of narrative and reliance on abstract symbolism didn't fully work."

  • Reddit (r/TheWeeknd - Spoiler In-Depth Analysis + Review): Offers a largely positive interpretation, praising the first two-thirds as "genuinely great," emotional, and symbolic. This review emphasizes that understanding Jenna and Barry's characters as figments of Abel's imagination makes the film much more impactful and deeply personal.

  • Overall Summary: Critics appear divided on "Hurry Up Tomorrow." While it's generally lauded for its ambitious artistic vision, stunning cinematography, and strong performances, particularly from the lead actors, its abstract, plot-light, and surreal narrative has been a point of contention. Some find it a compelling and deeply personal psychological exploration, while others view it as an overly self-indulgent or disjointed project that struggles to sustain a feature-length runtime.

Reviews: Visually Striking but Narratively Challenging

  • MovieWeb: User reviews indicate mixed reactions. Some fans express deep appreciation for its "very creative point of view," calling it "fresh and different," and praising its exploration of "psychological pain, detachment, and internal conflict" through layered symbolism. Others note its limited theatrical run and suggest it's primarily for the dedicated fanbase.

  • Lionsgate Official Site: Synopsis indicates a musician "plagued by insomnia is pulled into an odyssey with a stranger who begins to unravel the very core of his existence."

  • Overall Summary: Reviews from viewers and early critics suggest that "Hurry Up Tomorrow" is a visually arresting film that resonates strongly with fans who appreciate The Weeknd's conceptual artistry and are willing to engage with a more abstract narrative. For a broader audience, its experimental nature and psychological depth might prove challenging, leading to varied interpretations and levels of enjoyment.

Release date on streaming: Currently Available "Hurry Up Tomorrow" became available to rent or buy on premium digital on-demand platforms starting June 6, 2025. It is available on platforms such as Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, Microsoft, and YouTube.

Theatrical Release: Limited Run in May 2025 "Hurry Up Tomorrow" had its theatrical release on May 16, 2025, exclusively in select theaters. Its theatrical run appears to have been limited, making it primarily a digital release for wider audience access.

Why to watch this movie: A Deep Dive into a Modern Icon's Psyche

  • For Fans of The Weeknd: Essential viewing for anyone interested in Abel Tesfaye's artistry, as it's directly linked to his new album and delves into his artistic persona.

  • Unique Cinematic Experience: Offers a highly stylized and surreal psychological thriller that pushes boundaries between music and film.

  • Strong Cast: Features compelling performances from Abel Tesfaye, Jenna Ortega, and Barry Keoghan.

  • Visually Stunning: Director Trey Edward Shults delivers breathtaking cinematography and immersive visual storytelling.

  • Thought-Provoking Themes: Explores complex and timely issues of fame, mental health, addiction, and the search for identity in a compelling way.

Movie Trend: Transmedia Storytelling and Artist-Led Cinema "Hurry Up Tomorrow" is a prime example of transmedia storytelling and the growing trend of artist-led cinema. It blurs the lines between music, film, and pop culture, creating an expansive "universe" for The Weeknd's "Hurry Up Tomorrow" album. This involves intertwining the album's narrative with a feature film, pop-up events, and a global tour, offering fans a unique and immersive way to engage with the artist's creative vision across multiple platforms.

Social Trend: The Cost of Fame and Mental Health Awareness The film strongly aligns with the current social trend of increasing awareness and discussion around the mental health costs of fame and public scrutiny. It portrays the protagonist's struggles with depression, insomnia, and the destructive pressures of his superstar persona. This reflects a broader societal conversation about the psychological well-being of public figures and the importance of addressing mental health issues, moving beyond superficial portrayals of celebrity life.

Final Verdict: An Ambitious, Challenging, and Potentially Profound Experience "Hurry Up Tomorrow" is an ambitious and undeniably bold cinematic endeavor that delves deep into the psychological landscape of a modern music icon. While its abstract and non-linear narrative may prove challenging for some viewers accustomed to traditional storytelling, those willing to immerse themselves in its surreal imagery and rich symbolism will find a profound exploration of identity, fame, addiction, and the human psyche. Trey Edward Shults' direction combined with Abel Tesfaye's personal involvement creates a unique and often unsettling experience that solidifies its place as a significant piece of artist-led transmedia storytelling. It's not a film for passive viewing, but for those who engage with its depths, it offers a powerful and resonant journey.


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