The Weeknd, Trey Edward Shults, and Jenna Ortega Discuss Discovering the Essence of Hurry Up Tomorrow.

      Emotionally drained after his 2019 film Waves, writer-director Trey Edward Shults found it challenging to muster the drive for another demanding filmmaking project.

      “I didn’t even want to watch a movie, let alone make one,” Shults reflects. “I just wanted to relax on the couch and watch reality TV.”

      Fortunately, a fresh wave of creative energy came his way when he was invited to develop what would eventually turn into Hurry Up Tomorrow, a deeply atmospheric story about a music superstar reveling in public admiration while grappling with personal chaos.

      Through shared producers, Shults met Abel Tesfaye, who is more commonly known as The Weeknd, and who appreciated Shults’ work in Waves and his 2017 film It Comes at Night.

      “I took the meeting solely because it’s The Weeknd, but I had no expectations. I didn’t even know if I’d connect with him,” Shults recalls. “Everyone has their own ideas about pop stars, and I was surprised to find that I got along with him as a person.”

      Tesfaye had a concept for a film where he would portray a fictional version of himself, which would eventually tie into his album of the same name, Hurry Up Tomorrow, released in January and which topped the Billboard 200.

      However, the album was not finished when Shults agreed to develop a narrative outline for the film.

      To Shults’ surprise, Tesfaye did not have a fixed blueprint for the project, aside from wanting a meta approach. He allowed the director the freedom to explore that premise and adapt it to his creative vision.

      “If he had insisted, ‘This is the album. Make it this way,’ I wouldn’t have been interested,” says Shults.

      For his outline, Shults drew inspiration from The Weeknd’s mostly instrumental demos for the album and from extended phone conversations aimed at helping him understand Tesfaye and his current life situation.

      Shults explains: “It was never about linking everything to an album and songs. It was always about creating a great film. After the movie was finished, he produced the album, allowing both to beautifully coexist.”

      Jenna Ortega portrays Anima, Tesfaye’s enigmatic love interest, in Hurry Up Tomorrow.

      “Abel was working on the album while we filmed. My understanding is that the first track completed was ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow,’” Ortega shared via email with MovieMaker. “It was incredibly different from anything I had heard before, so personal and vulnerable. It definitely influenced how I approached the character of Ani. Trey emphasized that she’s more of a neglected survivor than a psychotic presence.”

      Shults began working on Hurry Up Tomorrow prior to the release of the 2023 HBO series The Idol, which aired for only five episodes. In that series, Tesfaye played a sleazy nightclub owner and cult figure named Tedros, a character who oscillates between seductive, terrifying, and humorous.

      In contrast, Tesfaye’s role in Hurry Up Tomorrow is more introspective. Both the film and album draw inspiration from his emotional breakdown when he lost his voice during a concert at L.A.'s SoFi stadium in September 2022, fearing he might not get it back.

      “This film is extremely personal for me,” Tesfaye shared via email with MovieMaker. “I portray a character based on myself, and the story reflects a fictionalized version of a real experience I had when I lost my voice. Delving into this character's psyche was cathartic – he’s on a dark, cerebral, and possibly spiritual journey.”

      Shults was thrilled that Tesfaye wholeheartedly approved his script, including the more unflattering, confrontational moments. Both Shults and Tesfaye share writing credits for Hurry Up Tomorrow, along with Reza Fahim, co-creator of The Idol and a former nightlife entrepreneur.

      “I can’t think of another pop star or celebrity of his caliber who would be willing to explore the depths this movie covers in terms of self-criticism and introspection,” Shults remarks. He was eager to create something truly incisive, avoiding the trap of crafting merely a visual album or ‘vanity project’ for a pop star.

      Tesfaye was also impressed with Shults.

      “After sharing the initial film concept, I was pleasantly surprised by where he took the script – my trust in him was solidified after that early draft,” Tesfaye noted over email. “It was clear that he was emotionally invested in the project, which allowed me to focus on my performance and immerse myself in character. Seeing the footage later confirmed all the confidence I had in Trey — he transformed the idea into a visually stunning and beautiful sonic experience that truly impressed me.”

      Ortega found the dynamic nature of the collaboration compelling.

      “My character evolved continuously as we shot, but her role in Abel’s mind