The Weeknd’s Foray into Film: A Disappointing Debut
To say that **Abel Tesfaye** — better known as **The Weeknd** — struggled to find his footing in his latest acting venture would be an understatement. His film **Hurry Up Tomorrow** has been met with significant criticism and indifferent box office results, marking a challenging start for the acclaimed musician in the world of cinema.
A Difficult Premiere
Debuting in theaters from **May 16-18**, 2025, **Hurry Up Tomorrow** attempts to weave a complex **psychological thriller** narrative centered around a troubled pop star portrayed by Tesfaye himself. However, despite his status as one of the most successful **music superstars** today, the film grossed a mere **$3.3 million** domestically across **2,020 theaters**, finishing in a lackluster sixth place. Internationally, the film didn’t fare much better, earning about **$3 million**.
Box Office Challenges
Heading into the weekend, projections estimated the $15 million film was set to gross between **$5 million** to **$9 million** in North America. Unfortunately, a combination of strikingly poor reviews — with a dismal score of **14 percent** on **Rotten Tomatoes** — and negative word-of-mouth doomed its potential. **Live Nation** financed the film, distributing it through **Lionsgate** as a companion piece to The Weeknd’s **studio album** released around the same time.
The Audience Reaction
Critics and audiences alike have largely dismissed the film. While many films that receive negative reviews may find a following among general audiences, **Hurry Up Tomorrow** has not benefited from such allowances. **Exit scores** reflected disappointment as well, registering just **one-and-a-half stars** out of **five** on the exit polling service **Comscore PostTrak**, with a concerning “C-” rating on **CinemaScore**. Even the audience score on Rotten Tomatoes — known as the **popcorn meter** — languished at **68 percent**, notably lower than what one might expect given The Weeknd’s vast fanbase.
The Disconnect Between Music and Film
Despite millions of loyal fans, there seems to be a profound disconnect between them and the film. This lack of connection mirrors the reaction to showrunner **Sam Levinson’s** controversial series **The Idol**, which HBO canceled after one season. Tesfaye co-developed that project and also played a musician, but it too failed to resonate with viewers.
What’s Affecting Original Films?
Industry experts like **Comscore analyst Paul Dergarabedian** attribute these struggles to a broader trend affecting **original films**. Many releases in 2025, including titles like **Mickey 17**, **Last Breath**, **Novocaine**, and **Black Bag**, have encountered similar difficulties. Dergarabedian noted that if a film’s concept or marketing doesn’t effectively engage potential viewers, it becomes increasingly challenging for it to perform at the box office. While one notable exception was **Sinners**, its success can be attributed to the significant star power of **Michael B. Jordan** and **Ryan Coogler**, along with overwhelmingly positive reviews.
Creative or Commercial?
Many viewers have criticized **Hurry Up Tomorrow** for feeling more like a promotional film for The Weeknd’s studio album bearing the same name, which launched amid the devastating **L.A. fires**. The album is also framed as a farewell to his stage persona, **The Weeknd**. In his review, **Frank Scheck** of **THR** remarked on the film’s “amorphous narrative” with frequent forays into **surrealism**, critiquing its heavy reliance on symbolism and introspective storytelling.
Diverse Audience Demographics
In examining audience demographics, **Caucasians** represented **39 percent**, followed closely by **Latinos** at **38 percent**, with **Black** moviegoers at **12 percent**, **Asians** at **8 percent**, and **Native American/Other** at **5 percent**. The diverse audience showcases the reach of The Weeknd’s appeal, yet it still failed to translate into ticket sales.
Collaborators Behind the Project
The film features notable actors like **Jenna Ortega** and **Barry Keoghan**, directed by **Trey Edward Shults**, who co-wrote the screenplay with Tesfaye and **Reza Fayhim**. The storyline sees Tesfaye portray a fictionalized version of himself, dealing with personal demons, a breakup, and even the threat of losing his voice — a narrative choice inspired by events in his real life.
The Merger of Film and Music Worlds
Brought to life through the collaborative efforts of Lionsgate and The Weeknd’s team, the film was envisioned as a hybrid to bridge the worlds of music and cinema. Close partnerships with **Republic Records**, **XO label**, **Manic Phase Productions**, and **Live Nation** aimed to connect the film with fans from his **After Hours Til Dawn** tour.
Looking Ahead
As noted by critics, the dismal reception of **Hurry Up Tomorrow**, along with the mixed success of **The Idol**, may warrant some **career counseling** for Tesfaye as he navigates his journey beyond music.