Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Swearing, violence in Weeknd's confusing vanity thriller.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Hurry Up Tomorrow
What's the Story?
In HURRY UP TOMORROW, Abel Tesfaye, best known as The Weeknd, plays a fictional version of himself: a musical superstar struggling with insomnia; a messy, emotional breakup; and vocal trouble while on an international tour. Abel doesn't particularly want to party or perform, but his best friend/manager Lee (Barry Keoghan) is also his enabler and hype man, convincing Abel to perform, to stop obsessing over his ex-girlfriend, and to use drugs. Meanwhile, a young woman (Jenna Ortega) is shown setting fire to a home, stealing gas, and sobbing. During a difficult concert performance, Abel locks eyes with Ortega's concertgoer, and the two of them have an intense, vulnerable, and violent time together.
Is It Any Good?
More symbolic than straightforward and more metaphorical than mainstream, this thriller is unlikely to appeal to anyone who isn't already a devoted fan of The Weeknd. And, frankly, even those deeply familiar with Abel Tesfaye's music and background may find the narrative in Hurry Up Tomorrow hard to follow. It's not a traditional biopic, but it does explore themes of isolation, the pressure to perform, and the emotional and physical toll of fame.
That said, the movie feels longer than necessary and occasionally drifts into the nonsensical. Ortega's transformation from Misery to muse is earnest, but the constant sobbing, apologizing, and demanding the truth wear thin. Keoghan is a bold casting choice, giving Lee a more menacing, possessive edge than your average entourage sidekick. Calling a film self-indulgent is a cliché, but Hurry Up Tomorrow really does deserve the label: It feels like a vanity project (however misunderstood) designed to promote The Weeknd's same-named album. Most viewers would be better off skipping the film and just streaming the artist's related tracks—"Wake Me Up" is particularly memorable.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether the substance use in Hurry Up Tomorrow seems authentic. Are there realistic consequences? Why does that matter?
How does the movie depict the downsides of fame and celebrity? What about the differences between what's true and what's artifice?
Reportedly, parts of the movie were inspired by the movie Misery. Which elements from that story are evident here?
Who do you think the intended audience is for this movie? Do you need to be an existing fan of The Weeknd's music to fully appreciate the film?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 16, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : June 6, 2025
- Cast : The Weeknd , Jenna Ortega , Barry Keoghan
- Director : Trey Edward Shults
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 105 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language throughout, drug use, some bloody violence and brief nudity
- Last updated : June 5, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate