The wait is almost over. For years, Abel Tesfaye—the man the world knows as The Weeknd—has been teasing a cinematic pivot that feels less like a side project and more like a total metamorphosis. It’s finally happening. Hurry Up Tomorrow isn't just an album title; it’s a full-blown feature film directed by Trey Edward Shults, the mastermind behind the tension-soaked It Comes at Night and the neon-drenched emotional wreck that was Waves.
When people search for Hurry Up Tomorrow characters, they aren’t just looking for a cast list. They’re trying to decode a puzzle. This film serves as the psychological and visual companion to his sixth studio album, and the casting choices tell a very specific story about where Abel's head is at.
Who is Abel Tesfaye playing?
Honestly, this is the big one. Abel isn't just showing up for a cameo. He’s the lead. But is he playing "The Weeknd"? Or is he playing a version of himself that’s finally ready to kill off the persona he spent a decade building?
The Hurry Up Tomorrow characters revolve entirely around a central protagonist caught in a fever dream of fame, identity, and existential dread. Based on the promotional imagery and the live performances in São Paulo, it’s clear his character is navigating a sort of purgatory. If After Hours was the sin and Dawn FM was the waiting room, this character is the one trying to wake up.
He’s been seen in simple, almost monk-like attire. It’s a far cry from the red suit or the prosthetic-heavy "old man" makeup. This character feels stripped back. Raw. He’s someone grappling with the ghosts of his past—specifically the younger version of himself that he's been referencing in teaser clips.
Jenna Ortega and the Mystery of Her Role
Jenna Ortega is everywhere right now, but her involvement here feels different. She’s not just a scream queen or a Wednesday Addams clone. In Hurry Up Tomorrow, her character seems to function as a mirror or a catalyst for Abel’s protagonist.
There’s been a lot of chatter on Reddit and Twitter about whether she’s a love interest or a personification of a concept. Given Trey Edward Shults’ history, it’s rarely as simple as "the girlfriend." Her character likely represents the "Tomorrow" the title is so desperate to reach. In the leaked set photos, there’s a distinct vibe of intimacy mixed with high-stakes tension. She isn't just a supporting player; she’s the emotional anchor that keeps the protagonist grounded—or perhaps the one pulling him deeper into his own psyche.
Barry Keoghan: The Wild Card
If you’ve seen The Banshees of Inisherin or Saltburn, you know Barry Keoghan doesn’t do "normal." He brings a twitchy, unpredictable energy to every frame. His inclusion in the Hurry Up Tomorrow characters lineup is what elevates this from a "pop star vanity project" to a "must-watch psychological thriller."
What is he doing here?
Early reports and industry whispers suggest he plays an antagonist of sorts, but not a cartoonish villain. Think more along the lines of a psychological foil. He might be the personification of the "Hurry Up" part—the pressure, the chaos, the noise of the industry. Keoghan has a way of making you feel deeply uncomfortable with just a squint of his eyes. Pairing his erratic energy with Abel’s more internal, stoic performance creates a friction that is likely the heartbeat of the movie’s second act.
The Child Protagonist: A Young Abel?
One of the most recurring themes in the lead-up to this era has been childhood. We’ve seen the "Young Abel" character in music videos and during the concert visuals. This child is a fundamental part of the Hurry Up Tomorrow characters tapestry.
He represents the origin. The "Boy" from the album’s narrative.
This isn't just a flashback gimmick. The film seems to utilize this character to explore trauma and the loss of innocence. By having the adult protagonist interact with or witness his younger self, the movie taps into that universal feeling of wanting to protect the person you used to be. It’s heavy stuff. It’s also a clever way to bridge the gap between the music and the visual medium.
Trey Edward Shults and the Visual Language
You can't talk about the characters without talking about the man behind the lens. Shults has a very specific way of framing people. He uses tight close-ups that feel almost claustrophobic. In Hurry Up Tomorrow, the characters are often isolated in the frame, even when they’re in the same room.
This tells us a lot about their internal states.
They are lonely.
They are searching.
The film was shot on the ARRI Alexa 65, which is the same camera used for The Revenant. That means these characters are going to look massive, detailed, and incredibly human. Every pore, every tear, every flinch will be visible. This isn't a glossy Hollywood production; it’s a gritty, high-fidelity look at the human soul.
Why the Casting Matters
- Abel Tesfaye: Proving he can carry a film without the crutch of a "pop star" persona.
- Jenna Ortega: Bringing a massive Gen Z audience and a proven track record in dark, atmospheric projects.
- Barry Keoghan: Adding "prestige" and a chaotic element that keeps the audience guessing.
- The Soundtrack: Since the film is scored by Abel and Daniel Lopatin (Oneohtrix Point Never), the "characters" are also defined by the sounds that follow them.
Breaking Down the Plot Rumors
While the exact plot is being kept under tighter wraps than a Marvel movie, we can piece things together through the Hurry Up Tomorrow characters and their archetypes.
The story is widely believed to be a psychological thriller set in Los Angeles (or a dream-version of it). It deals with the concept of the "End of the Trilogy." If you look at the progression of the characters from After Hours through to now, there’s a clear arc of self-destruction followed by a desperate attempt at rebirth.
The protagonist is stuck in a loop. He’s trying to get to "Tomorrow," but the ghosts of his past—represented by the other characters—won't let him leave. It’s a classic Orpheus-style descent into the underworld, except the underworld is a mansion in the Hollywood Hills and the demons are wearing designer clothes.
Real-World Context: The Production
The film was produced under Abel’s Manic Phase banner alongside Shults and Reza Fahim. The collaboration with Fahim is interesting because he was a co-creator of The Idol. While that show was polarizing, to say the least, Hurry Up Tomorrow feels like a course correction. It’s more focused. It’s more personal.
The characters here aren't the caricatures we saw in The Idol. They feel lived-in. When Jenna Ortega was cast, it signaled a shift toward a more narrative-heavy, emotionally resonant style of filmmaking. The production took place primarily in Los Angeles, utilizing iconic locations that contrast the "dream" and "nightmare" aspects of the city.
What Fans Are Getting Wrong
A common misconception is that this is just a long music video. It’s not. It’s a theatrical feature film. The Hurry Up Tomorrow characters have dialogue, arcs, and complex motivations that exist outside of the lyrics of the songs.
Another mistake? Assuming Abel is just playing himself. While there are obviously autobiographical elements, the character is a fictionalized vessel. He’s a "Thespian" now. He’s spent years studying cinema—his music videos are essentially love letters to Scorsese, Hitchcock, and Cronenberg. He’s putting all that knowledge into these characters.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Viewers
If you want to fully appreciate the depth of the Hurry Up Tomorrow characters when the movie finally drops, you should do a bit of homework. It’ll make the experience way better, trust me.
- Watch 'Waves' (2019): This is Trey Edward Shults' masterpiece. It will give you a perfect idea of how he uses color and music to define his characters. You’ll see the DNA of Hurry Up Tomorrow in its DNA.
- Listen to the Trilogy in Reverse: Start with Dawn FM, then After Hours. It helps you understand the "de-evolution" of the character Abel has been playing.
- Pay Attention to the Eyes: In the teasers, the eye contact between the characters is deliberate. Shults often uses "the gaze" to signal power shifts.
- Follow the Cinematographer: Chayse Irvin is the Director of Photography. Look at his work on Blonde or Lemonade. He knows how to make characters look iconic yet vulnerable.
The film is a bold move. It’s a risk. But with a cast that includes one of the most talented young actresses in the world and one of the most compelling character actors of our generation, it’s a risk that’s likely to pay off. We’re moving past the era of the music video and into the era of the "Visual Album Film." These Hurry Up Tomorrow characters are the pioneers of that shift.
Keep an eye on the official A24 and Manic Phase social channels. The trailers are dropping hints every week, and the more we see, the more it becomes clear that this is the definitive end of an era for Abel Tesfaye. He’s not just saying goodbye to a name; he’s introducing us to a whole new world of storytelling.