A name known around the world: The Weeknd. He is known for his music and his unique name, but now he has announced a new phase in his career. This comes during the release of his sixth studio album and debut film, Hurry Up Tomorrow. This project is expected to conclude the trilogy that began with After Hours (2020), followed by Dawn FM(2022), and will end with Hurry Up Tomorrow. The album includes themes of transformation, identity, and self-searching.

The film is a psychological thriller that dives into the dreamlike journey of an insomniac musician, portrayed by Tesfaye himself. Joining the cast is Jenna Ortega, who stars as Ani, a mysterious girl who guides him through this surreal trip. Alongside Ortega is Barry Keoghan, who plays Tesfaye’s manager. Ortega, who also served as an executive producer, described the film as exploring themes of self-examination and emotional turmoil. The film is co-written by Tesfaye and directed by Trey Edward Shults, known for Waves. Reza Fahim, who Tesfaye has worked with in the past on The Idol, also wrote the script. The plot of the film is intentionally enigmatic, inviting viewers to interpret its layers of meaning.

The accompanying album, which came out January 31 of this year, serves as an intertwined counterpart to the film, featuring tracks that reflect Tesfaye’s mental space as well as his experiences, including a defining vocal injury he sustained during a 2022 concert. This incident prompted a period of self-reflection and influenced both the studio album’s lyrics and led to his pondering of retiring his stage name, The Weeknd. While he has hinted at this change for some time, Tesfaye remains cryptic—suggesting it could mark either an end or a rebirth of his artistic persona.

Hurry Up Tomorrow hit theaters on May 16, 2025, offering audiences a deep dive into not only Abel Tesfaye’s life but also a powerful exploration of fame, identity, and personal evolution through both film and music.