The Weeknd has never been afraid to take creative risks. With his final album under the name that made him famous, Hurry Up Tomorrow, Abel Tesfaye doubled down on ambition by pairing the music with a feature-length film of the same name. Directed by Trey Edward Shults and co-written by Tesfaye and Reza Fahim, the movie was meant to serve as a visual and emotional companion to the album. But for many critics, the result doesn’t quite land.

From the start, Hurry Up Tomorrow sets out to blur the lines between music, cinema, and personal mythology. The film follows a pop star (played by Tesfaye) suffering from insomnia and unraveling as he drifts through a surreal, dreamlike world. Jenna Ortega plays Anima, a mysterious guide through his fractured reality, while Barry Keoghan appears as a shadowy figure whose purpose remains unclear. The concept is heavy, and the execution leans hard into symbolism and abstraction.

Striking Visuals, Unclear Storytelling

While the film is visually striking, with atmospheric lighting and ambitious set design, many reviewers have noted that it prioritizes style over substance. They describe it as feeling more like an extended music video than a narrative feature. The imagery is strong, but the story often lacks direction, making it difficult for viewers to connect emotionally with the characters or themes.

Critics also point to the script as a weak point. The dialogue is sparse, and the plot ambiguous, which, rather than feeling mysterious, often comes across as confusing. The narrative structure is disjointed, leaving audiences unsure of what’s real and what isn’t—and not always in a compelling way.

Jenna Ortega's performance has been singled out as a bright spot. Her grounded portrayal of Anima offers some emotional weight to an otherwise abstract film. In contrast, Barry Keoghan's role is seen as underdeveloped, and his presence, while intriguing, doesn’t add much to the overall story.

Ambition Without Impact

Entertainment Weekly went so far as to call the film "astonishingly dull," criticizing its somber tone and describing Tesfaye's character as a mopey pop star who never quite comes to life on screen. They noted that what should have felt profound instead felt lifeless. White Rotten Tomatoes reflects this critical consensus, with the film holding a 17% rating.

To Tesfaye's credit, Hurry Up Tomorrow is a fearless attempt to fuse music and film in a way that few mainstream artists are willing to try. But ambition alone doesn’t guarantee success. Despite its striking visuals and a few strong performances, the film’s lack of narrative clarity and emotional depth leaves it feeling more like a missed opportunity than a meaningful goodbye.

For fans of The Weeknd, the film might still offer moments of interest — flashes of the themes he's explored for over a decade: fame, isolation, and the masks we wear. But as a standalone cinematic experience, Hurry Up Tomorrow struggles to find its footing.