The Weeknd is back in front of the camera and stepping into a decisive new role on the big screen in Hurry Up Tomorrow, a film that draws heavily from his battles with sleep paralysis. Starring alongside Jenna Ortega, the artist opens up about the inspiration behind the story in a recent interview with Fader.
Get this: The film follows the haunting journey of an insomniac musician who encounters a mysterious stranger, unraveling a deeply personal and surreal experience. For The Weeknd, the storyline reflects more than fiction—it echoes a chapter from his own life.
“There are no villains in this movie…Sleep paralysis is the real antagonist,” he shared, pointing to his past experiences with the condition. He described it as one of the most “vivid” and “disorienting” things he has endured.
“You’re paralyzed for what feels like a minute. Sometimes you see a dark figure in the corner. You hear voices,” he said, recounting the unsettling sensations of the condition.
Thankfully, he’s found ways to manage it. His solution? “Turn the phone off. Kill the lights. No TV. Just let your mind rest.”
Hurry Up Tomorrow officially premiered in theaters on May 16. It invites audiences into a cinematic exploration of the blurred line between reality and the mind’s darkest corners.
Please check out the trailer before the film releases and let us know if you’re going to see it.