
The Weeknd just made his feature film debut—and it is nothing like his music videos. “Hurry Up Tomorrow” takes the pop icon into psychological thriller territory, with an insomniac musician at its center and two acclaimed young actors flanking him. Lionsgate pushed the film with a trailer that leaned hard into horror imagery before pivoting to something murkier, leaving audiences unsure exactly what kind of ride awaits.
Release Year: 2025 · Genre: Psychological Thriller · Lead Star: The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) · Plot Hook: Insomniac musician meets mysterious stranger · Rating: R
Quick snapshot
- Psychological thriller starring Abel Tesfaye, Jenna Ortega, and Barry Keoghan (Lionsgate Official)
- Runtime: 1 hour 45 minutes (Rotten Tomatoes Film Database)
- USA box office gross: $5.2 million (Rotten Tomatoes)
- International box office performance
- Production budget
- Critical reception scores and reviews
- Full soundtrack details
- Trailer debuted 2024 (Lionsgate YouTube Official Trailer)
- Theatrical release: May 16, 2025 (Lionsgate Official)
- Streaming debut: June 6, 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes Film Database)
- 21-day theatrical window before streaming
- Post-release review aggregation building
- No announced international release dates
Key facts at a glance
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Director/Star | Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd) |
| Director | Trey Edward Shults |
| Genre | Mystery & Thriller |
| Runtime | 105 minutes (1h 45m) |
| Release Year | 2025 |
| Theatrical Release | May 16, 2025 |
| Streaming Release | June 6, 2025 |
| MPAA Rating | R (drug use, brief nudity, language, bloody violence) |
| USA Box Office | $5.2 million |
| Aspect Ratio | Digital 2.39:1 |
| Distributor | Lionsgate |
What will the Hurry Up Tomorrow movie be about?
Plot Overview
The film’s official synopsis from Lionsgate describes an insomniac musician pulled into an odyssey with a stranger who unravels the very core of his existence. The Weeknd plays a fictionalized version of himself in this psychological thriller, moving well beyond the cinematic aesthetics of his music video work.
The trailer imagery suggests something darker: fragmented faces, unsettling encounters, and atmosphere that leans into horror territory before pulling back. Rotten Tomatoes classifies it as “Mystery & Thriller,” while Lionsgate’s own marketing leans psychological rather than outright horror.
Key Characters
Jenna Ortega plays a character named Anima, and Barry Keoghan appears as Lee, according to details on Rotten Tomatoes. Both actors bring distinct screen presences that contrast with Tesfaye’s unfamiliarity in leading a feature-length narrative. The interplay between the three forms the core tension of the film.
The $5.2M domestic opening and 21-day window suggest limited cultural momentum—the data indicates this is not a vanity project but rather a measured creative investment with moderate expectations.
Is Hurry Up Tomorrow a good film?
Rotten Tomatoes Scores
Rotten Tomatoes lists the film with a page live as of May 16, 2025, when it entered wide theatrical distribution through Lionsgate. The USA box office gross of $5.2 million suggests modest commercial performance for a wide release.
Early Critic Reactions
Review aggregation was ongoing at the time of the streaming release on June 6, 2025. Reddit threads collected reactions from early viewers, though professional critical consensus was still consolidating. The gap between Lionsgate’s glossy marketing and audience expectations creates a particular pressure point for reception.
Is Hurry Up Tomorrow a horror movie?
Thriller vs Horror Debate
The classification debate stems from Lionsgate’s own marketing approach. The first trailer debuted as a horror trailer in 2024, featuring imagery designed to unsettle. However, the film itself is classified as “Mystery & Thriller” on Rotten Tomatoes, suggesting the horror elements function as texture rather than genre designation.
Trailer Analysis
The official Lionsgate YouTube trailer leans into psychological unease rather than jump scares. The Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital sound mix, captured in Digital 2.39:1 aspect ratio, creates an immersive atmosphere that supports the thriller classification.
Hurry Up Tomorrow movie release date?
Theatrical Release
Lionsgate released Hurry Up Tomorrow in wide theatrical distribution on May 16, 2025. The 21-day window between theatrical and streaming releases matches industry patterns for mid-tier releases seeking theatrical revenue before digital distribution.
Streaming Availability
Streaming availability began June 6, 2025, per Rotten Tomatoes. Lionsgate has not announced specific international release dates as of this writing, leaving global audiences without confirmed access timelines.
The implication: Lionsgate is prioritizing the 21-day theatrical window for revenue extraction, betting the streaming release will reach a broader audience than the $5.2M domestic opening suggests.
Hurry Up Tomorrow Movie cast?
Lead Actor
Abel Tesfaye takes the lead as a fictionalized version of himself, marking his first feature film lead role. He also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Trey Edward Shults and Reza Fahim, and served as producer, according to Rotten Tomatoes credits. This multi-hat involvement signals significant creative investment in the project.
Supporting Roles
Jenna Ortega (Anima) and Barry Keoghan (Lee) round out the core cast. Trey Edward Shults, known for “Waves” and “Krisha,” directed and co-wrote. The production credits on Rotten Tomatoes list Lionsgate as distributor, with Live Nation Productions and Manic Phase among the production companies.
Timeline
Three key moments define the film’s market entry:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| First trailer debuted as horror | |
| Theatrical release (Lionsgate) | |
| Streaming debut |
The pattern: Lionsgate launched the film with horror marketing, shifted the genre designation before release, then extracted theatrical revenue within three weeks before moving to streaming.
Confirmed vs Unclear
Confirmed
- Psychological thriller genre from Lionsgate and Rotten Tomatoes
- 2025 theatrical and streaming release dates
- Abel Tesfaye starring in lead role
- Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan in supporting cast
- Trey Edward Shults directing
- R rating for drug use, brief nudity, language, bloody violence
- Runtime: 105 minutes
- Lionsgate distribution
Unclear
- Full cast beyond main three
- Critical reception scores
- International release dates
- Production budget
- Soundtrack details
- Box office performance beyond USA
What people are saying
A musician plagued by insomnia is pulled into an odyssey with a stranger who begins to unravel the very core of his existence.
— Lionsgate (Official distributor/studio)
HURRY UP TOMORROW – in theaters May 16, 2025. Starring Abel Tesfaye, Jenna Ortega, and Barry Keoghan.
— Rotten Tomatoes (Film database)
For audiences deciding whether to catch this in theaters or wait for streaming, the calculus is straightforward: the 21-day window is narrow, but the $5.2 million domestic gross suggests the film is not generating the kind of cultural momentum that demands immediate viewing. If psychological thriller atmosphere and The Weeknd’s creative vision appeal to you, the June 6 streaming date provides a patient path in.
Related reading: Me Before You: Plot, Cast, Ending & Fan Questions · Mad Max 2 – Road Warrior Plot Cast Director Guide
The Weeknd’s psychological thriller Hurry Up Tomorrow unfolds an insomniac musician’s journey, with its plot and reviews breakdown offering deeper insights into the narrative ahead of 2025.
Frequently asked questions
Is the movie Hurry Up Tomorrow a flop?
The $5.2M domestic opening represents modest performance for wide theatrical release. Whether that constitutes a flop depends on undisclosed production budget—neither Lionsgate nor Rotten Tomatoes has published this figure.
Is Hurry Up Tomorrow on Netflix?
The streaming release on June 6, 2025 was not announced for Netflix. Check Lionsgate’s official digital distribution partners for current availability.
What is the Hurry Up Tomorrow movie soundtrack?
Specific soundtrack details remain unpublished in available sources. As The Weeknd is both central creative force and star, original music is expected.
What is the age rating for Hurry Up Tomorrow?
The MPAA rating is R for drug use, brief nudity, language throughout, and some bloody violence, per Rotten Tomatoes.
Where can I watch Hurry Up Tomorrow?
The film released theatrically May 16, 2025 through Lionsgate, with streaming availability beginning June 6, 2025. Lionsgate’s digital distribution partners carry the film for rental or purchase.
Who directed Hurry Up Tomorrow?
Trey Edward Shults directed and co-wrote the screenplay with Abel Tesfaye and Reza Fahim, per Rotten Tomatoes.
How long is Hurry Up Tomorrow?
The runtime is 105 minutes (1 hour 45 minutes), according to Rotten Tomatoes.