Hurry Up Tomorrow Parents Guide

Hurry Up Tomorrow is Rated R by the Motion Picture Rating (MPA) for language throughout, drug use, some bloody violence and brief nudity.

Review: Hurry Up Tomorrow

In Hurry Up Tomorrow, Abel Tesfaye — known to most as The Weeknd — doesn’t just walk away from his pop persona. He burns it down, dances through the ashes, and invites us to watch the embers flicker in a surreal, sometimes disturbing dreamscape. Directed by Trey Edward Shults and co-written by Shults, Tesfaye, and Reza Fahim, this isn’t your average musical thriller. It’s a bold, genre-defying farewell that blurs the line between film and fever dream, between truth and fiction — and between who Abel Tesfaye was and who he’s trying to become.

I had the privilege of attending the early screening in Phoenix, where the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. Fans packed the theater, expecting a visual album. What they got was something far more layered — a psychological spiral into identity, fame, and emotional decay. And when Tesfaye himself appeared for a surprise Q&A alongside Shults, you could feel the weight of what this film meant to him. Hurry Up Tomorrow isn’t just a movie. It’s therapy with a soundtrack.

The Story

The story follows a fictionalized version of The Weeknd — a megastar teetering on the edge of collapse. Tormented by insomnia, fractured memories, and the haunting pressure of a public image he can no longer maintain, he becomes a man unraveling in real-time. His sleeplessness manifests visions of a mysterious woman (Jenna Ortega), who acts as both guide and ghost, leading him through a surreal odyssey across his fractured psyche.

It’s not a linear plot. This isn’t Bohemian Rhapsody or Elvis. It’s more akin to David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive or Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan, laced with visual metaphors, emotional flashbacks, and artistic indulgence. Think strobe-lit nightclubs, decaying hotel rooms, and otherworldly deserts — all set to a soundtrack that bleeds right out of Tesfaye’s sixth and final album as The Weeknd.

The Music: A Character of Its Own

Perhaps the most impressive element of Hurry Up Tomorrow is how deeply integrated the music is into the storytelling. Tesfaye wasn’t kidding when he said the soundtrack was the most time-consuming part of production. It’s not background noise — it’s part of the dialogue. At times, the music replaces words entirely, guiding us through scenes of vulnerability, rage, and spiritual searching.

One standout sequence features his character wandering an empty concert arena, haunted by an echo of his own voice. The lights dim. The melody slows. Then comes a moment of stillness — followed by a thunderous bass drop as his past and present selves collide. It’s dizzying, heartbreaking, and musically brilliant.

Sound designer Johnnie Burn and composer Daniel Lopatin (Oneohtrix Point Never) help elevate the entire film into a sonic experience — one best seen in a theater with powerful speakers and an open mind.

Also Read: The Lost Princess 2025 Parents Guide

The Performances: Ortega and Keoghan Elevate the Madness

Jenna Ortega, fresh off her acclaimed performance in Wednesday, is hypnotic as the enigmatic woman haunting Tesfaye’s mind. She’s not quite real — but not quite imaginary either. Her presence is magnetic, commanding the screen even when saying very little. Her role feels symbolic: a representation of addiction, inspiration, regret — maybe all three.

Barry Keoghan, known for his off-kilter performances in The Banshees of Inisherin and The Killing of a Sacred Deer, brings that same unpredictable energy here. His role is small but memorable, acting as a foil or perhaps a distorted reflection of Tesfaye’s crumbling self-image. Every time he appears, the film’s unease escalates.

Tesfaye himself gives a surprisingly committed performance. He doesn’t try to be a traditional actor — and that’s what makes it work. He’s not pretending to be someone else. He’s bleeding onto the screen, revealing the internal chaos that’s often hidden behind platinum albums and sold-out stadiums.

Hurry Up Tomorrow is soaked in themes of transformation, mortality, and the psychological toll of being a brand instead of a person. It’s no accident that the insomnia driving the character’s breakdown mirrors Tesfaye’s own real-life struggle following a voice-loss incident on stage in Los Angeles back in 2022 — a moment he’s described as emotionally paralyzing.

That incident was the spark for this entire project. The film becomes his way of confronting the demons born from global success, social media obsession, and the fear of artistic stagnation. It’s a cinematic reckoning. The Weeknd dies here — not in flames, but in silence, surrender, and ultimately, self-understanding.

Audience Reactions: Polarizing but Passionate

At the Phoenix premiere, early reactions were emotional, ecstatic, and at times, overwhelmed. One fan described the film in three words: visionary, emotional, imaginative. Another said they were “speechless,” calling it a gift to longtime fans — filled with hidden Easter eggs for those who’ve followed Tesfaye’s journey since House of Balloons.

But make no mistake — this film will divide audiences. Some will see it as a groundbreaking work of art. Others will find it pretentious or incoherent. And both reactions are valid. Hurry Up Tomorrow doesn’t care about universal appeal. It cares about truth.

Final Thoughts:

By the end of the film, when Abel Tesfaye’s real name appears on the screen — not The Weeknd, but Abel — it hits like a final breath. This isn’t just a name change. It’s a symbolic death and rebirth. The journey is complete.

Is Hurry Up Tomorrow a perfect film? No. It’s messy, indulgent, and sometimes frustrating. But it’s also fearless, beautiful, and deeply personal — and that makes it one of the most compelling films of 2025 so far.

If you’re an XO fan, you’ll find layers of meaning in every frame. If you’re new to Tesfaye’s world, be prepared for a ride that’s more emotional than logical. Either way, it’s a cinematic event worth experiencing — if not for clarity, then for catharsis.

Hurry Up Tomorrow Parents Guide

Rating: R — For language throughout, drug use, some bloody violence, and brief nudity.

Violence & Gore:

• Stylized but intense scenes of psychological breakdown.
• Bloody imagery includes a character smashing a mirror and bleeding.
• Surreal, disturbing visuals: vomiting black liquid, eerie hallucinations.
• One brief nightclub fight scene with pushing and punches.

Language:

• Frequent use of strong profanity, including the F-word and S-word.
• Language is emotionally charged, used during breakdowns and confrontations.

Drug & Alcohol Use:

• Regular depiction of alcohol consumption and drug use (pills, marijuana).
• Hallucinogenic sequence with trippy visuals.
• Substance use symbolizes emotional and creative collapse.

Nudity & Sexual Content:

• One scene with brief female frontal nudity (non-sexual, symbolic).
• Sensual nightclub dancing with revealing outfits.
• No explicit sex or romantic scenes.

Recommended Age: 17+
Not appropriate for children or young teens. Viewer discretion strongly advised.