Movies

‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’: Weeknd vanity project wastes the talent in front of, and behind, the camera

BBG News

The allure for musicians to turn their success into movies will never fade, and films – always seeking high-profile talent – are often more than willing to accommodate. The latest artist to step into this realm is Abel Tesfaye, also known as The Weeknd. His chart-topping songs from the past decade and a half have depicted, in vibrant club tones and through his haunting falsetto, the highs and lows of a hedonistic performer’s life.

Instead of singing about the lingering taste of youthful indulgence set against a gritty, hypnotic dance rhythm, the movie “Hurry Up Tomorrow,” featuring Tesfaye and directed by Trey Edward Shults, attempts to expand this theme into a captivating full-length story. However, it struggles to achieve this goal effectively, despite the efforts of the visually dynamic director who co-wrote the film with Tesfaye and Reza Fahim, as well as the dedicated performances of co-stars Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan, who willingly join in the superstar’s world of tour-related self-centeredness.

The latest hit album of Tesfaye’s, released this year and titled, is also credited to him. In interviews, he has suggested that the album serves as a symbolic farewell or climax for his enigmatic Weeknd persona, which revolves around sex, drugs, and mystery. Regardless of whether you consider it a promotional piece or companion work – it was filmed two years ago, before the album’s tracks were even recorded – it essentially amounts to an extended music video, striving for significance and falling short on emotional depth.

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These troubled individuals encounter each other after his cocaine-induced sorrow causes him to abruptly end a performance. She’s waiting backstage and notices him, expressing concern about his wellbeing (he isn’t feeling well). They then go on an escape-filled date, enjoying air hockey, amusement park rides, and later sharing a tender new song in a luxurious hotel room.

Under normal circumstances, when her weaknesses collide with his cold indifference – as Ortega wisely puts it, “You don’t seem worried, you seem scared” – this spontaneous relationship between a star and a fan takes a dark, aggressive path. Those who have watched the HBO series “The Idol,” which Tesfaye helped create, might find themselves unsettlingly reminded of that troubled storyline’s outdated misogyny.

Movies

This summer promises a rich variety, offering blockbuster hits akin to Hollywood, intelligent independent films as alternatives, and an appropriate dose of lighthearted, entertaining movies – all essential ingredients for any summer movie experience.

The seeds of a thought-provoking, dark fantasy revolving around the ego demise of a solitary pop star can be found in “Hurry Up Tomorrow,” yet it has been transformed into a mere, emotionally charged sympathizing session with limited depth. Shults and cinematographer Chayse Irvin possess exceptional visual skills, however, they seem restricted in employing their creative arsenal such as diverse aspect ratios, various film stocks, 360 shots and dynamic takes to such a shallow and arrogant project. The film offers plenty to observe but lacks depth and insight.

Regarding Tesfaye, he’s got a promising screen presence, but his charm is still in its early stages and could benefit from more substantial material beyond close-ups leading up to a ballad’s howl. The thin plot’s vague biographical elements, particularly the incident of his real-life voice loss onstage a few years ago, bring to mind Prince’s attempt with “Purple Rain” to depict real life. However, “Purple Rain” was a more strategic move towards greater success, balancing its corny three-act structure with emotional depth that peaked in the extraordinary performance of its lead actor.

Movies

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Tomorrow’s Rush is less substantial and more careless. It won’t necessarily shut down Tesfaye’s film career, but as an attempt to dominate the silver screen, it’s a turnoff, a haphazard experiment that flippantly uses cinema’s potential like a quick wardrobe change during a concert.

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2025-05-16 20:31

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