6 Reasons Why The Weeknd’s New Thriller Flopped With Critics

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The rating on Rotten Tomatoes for “Hurry Up Tomorrow” is exceptionally poor, with many critics labeling the collaboration between Jenna Ortega and The Weeknd as one of the worst movies of the year. In this film, The Weeknd plays a role based on himself, depicting a tormented artist who finds it challenging to manage his responsibilities as a successful musician. Following a difficult performance, The Weeknd meets Anima, an alluring yet mysterious fan, in Santa Monica. This encounter ultimately leads to a night where The Weeknd is compelled to reveal more about himself – a necessity that intensifies when Anima holds him against his will and endangers his life.

The psychological thriller, titled similarly to his recent album, has been labeled by critics as a self-indulgent project for The Weeknd, offering a less-than-exciting cinema experience. Some supporters of the movie have conceded certain concerns about its production. At the time of writing, only 14% of critics endorse the film, while Rotten Tomatoes suggests that The Weeknd’s fans continue to back him. Here are some frequent criticisms of Hurry Up Tomorrow, which likely led to its poor rating on Rotten Tomatoes:

6. Hurry Up Tomorrow’s Meandering Script Doesn’t Do It Any Favors

Hurry Up Tomorrow Wastes A Lot Of Time With A Basic Story

Tomorrow’s film, with its stern tone and minimalistic narrative, didn’t win over critics and significantly impacted its low Rotten Tomatoes rating. The plot of Hurry Up Tomorrow revolves around a fictionalized depiction of Abel Tsfaye, better known as the Weeknd, who grapples with heartbreak and interacts with a young woman whose feelings for him transition from sympathetic to terrifying. Regrettably, the storyline doesn’t offer much more than this fundamental plot, which appears to draw inspiration from other films like Misery rather than establishing its unique character.

Critics such as Carla Hay from Culture Mix and Madison Bloom from Pitchfork frequently pointed out that the film’s connection to Misery seems superficial, as it doesn’t delve deeply into the characters’ personal lives. This shallow exploration weakens the overall movie, despite its attempts to comment on Tesfaye’s celebrity and solitude. A recurring critique among critics, the film’s lack of a compelling narrative and character development is the primary issue with Hurry Up Tomorrow, although it is not its only flaw.

5. Hurry Up Tomorrow Lacks The Self-Awareness Necessary For A Good Showcase

This Is The Weeknd That Wants To Be Seen, Instead Of One That Feels Authentic

Critics of Hurry Up Tomorrow often criticized its somber demeanor and overly dramatic acting style, accusing it of lacking genuine self-awareness. Many critics, in particular, took issue with the film appearing to be a self-indulgent platform for Tsfaye, presenting him as an artist grappling with misunderstanding and stress. In films where the central character is the primary focus, there’s a risk of coming off as egotistical unless the portrayal includes a touch of humor and considerable self-awareness to maintain a relatable and endearing image.

In movies like “Uncut Gems,” Tsfaye has convincingly embodied certain characteristics, yet his character in “Hurry Up Tomorrow” has been a source of criticism among critics. Both Frank Scheck from The Hollywood Reporter and Nick Schager from The Daily Beast commented on this issue, stating that the portrayal of Tsfaye (who also co-wrote the film with Trey Edward Shults and Reza Fahim) in the movie comes across as stiff and resembling a caricature of the “troubled artist.” Some critics even pointed out that the archetype was more authentically portrayed in “Better Man,” where it was represented by a CGI monkey.

4. Critics Found Hurry Up Tomorrow Pretentious

Hurry Up Tomorrow Clearly Thinks It Is Very Deep

Tomorrow’s release, titled “Hurry Up“, signifies the conclusion of “The Weeknd” character as portrayed by Abel Tsfaye. The album delves into themes previously addressed in his previous works. However, while it may resonate musically with the film’s soundtrack, its thematic foundation for a movie is perceived as rather shallow by many critics.

The critique largely stems from the seemingly underwhelming treatment of fame and the struggles it entails, a topic often addressed in films about musicians. Given its prevalence in such narratives, the film’s portrayal failed to impress.

In simpler terms, “Hurry Up Tomorrow” lacks humor or a genuine portrayal of humanity, which could have added depth and appeal to the film. Including these elements, as seen in movies like “A Star is Born” and “Rocketman,” might have increased viewers’ empathy towards The Weeknd’s struggles. However, the movie is filled with overly dramatic scenes that aim to emphasize the power of The Weeknd’s music when he expresses his feelings honestly.

3. Hurry Up Tomorrow Just Isn’t All That Entertaining

Hurry Up Tomorrow Commits The Worst Sin A Movie Can

The greatest shortcoming of Hurry Up Tomorrow is its lack of excitement. Even films that are unusual, poorly crafted, or even controversial can find favor with audiences if they manage to keep them entertained. However, this criticism hits particularly hard for a movie billed as an intense thriller, especially since a comedy focused on characters or a drama centered around characters can still be engaging and successful without being dull.

I, as one of the viewers, found myself in agreement with Jordan Hoffman from Entertainment Weekly, who labeled “Hurry Up Tomorrow” as surprisingly dull. This sentiment seems to be shared among other reviewers as well. While many have acknowledged the film’s impressive visual aspects, it appears that the thrilling nature of the movie might not have been enough to win over more supporters. The general consensus among critics is that “Hurry Up Tomorrow” falls short when it comes to providing entertainment. Sadly, this rather detached and uninteresting portrayal of the film failed to keep me engaged, a crucial factor in any form of entertainment.

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2. Even The Defenders Think Hurry Up Tomorrow Is Flawed

Champions Of Hurry Up Tomorrow Admit The Film Could Be Better

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but express my thoughts on “Hurry Up Tomorrow.” While some critics have praised its visual aspirations, deeper themes, and the captivating performance of Jenna Ortega, there is still a split opinion among them. On one hand, some, like Mike McGranaghan from Aisle Seat, find the film outstanding and believe it will be reevaluated favorably by future critics. Yet, even G. Allen Johnson from the San Francisco Chronicle, while acknowledging its strengths, has pointed out flaws in the movie’s delivery and execution.

Hurry Up Tomorrow Tomatoeter Score Hurry Up Tomorrow Popcornmeter
14% 72%

The film, Hurry Up Tomorrow, hasn’t garnered widespread praise from critics, with only a few expressing enthusiasm for it. Most reviews have been more skeptical or negative than positive, which has hindered the film from receiving favorable criticisms and contributed to its lack of good reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. Consequently, this critical response has further diminished the film’s standing critically.

1. Hurry Up Tomorrow Is A Fine Music Video But A Bad Movie

There’s Good Visuals In Hurry Up Tomorrow But Not Enough To Justify A Feature-Length Movie

The title “Hurry Up Tomorrow,” which debuted in January 2025, refers specifically to its namesake album. This album garnered more acclaim than the accompanying film, reaching number one on the Billboard 200 and scoring a Metacritic rating of 73/100. Critics generally agree that the movie version of “Hurry Up Tomorrow” shines when it emphasizes Trey Edward Shults’ unusual visuals and The Weeknd’s catchy music, with some lenient critics suggesting that it could work well as a music video.

Despite the fact that it appeared to be a good idea to expand the idea into a full-length film, Andrew Lawrence from The Guardian appreciated several aspects of the movie, such as the chemistry between Ortega and Tsfaye and Tsfaye’s overall acting abilities. However, Lawrence found the film’s wandering narrative, which transforms what could have been a fantastic music video into an overwhelming and ultimately dull movie, to be a downside. Hurry Up Tomorrow, The Weeknd’s ambitious attempt, seemed to resonate with audiences but fell short of impressing critics who were anticipating more than just an extended music video.

Source: Culture Mix, Pitchfork, The Hollywood Reporter, The Daily Beast, Entertainment Weekly, Aisle Seat, San Francisco Chronicle, The Guardian

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2025-05-17 22:41