After The Idol Humiliation, Fans Beg The Weeknd's New Movie to Be Good
A fresh start or another misstep? Let's figure it out.
Long story short, Abel Tesfaye, also known as The Weeknd, will release a movie that shares a title with his new album: Hurry Up Tomorrow. And now that this information is out there, fans can’t help but remember The Idol — yep, that cursed TV show.
Before we start talking about the new movie, it's impossible not to mention something crucial.
The shadow of The Idol still very much remains. It truly was one of the most controversial topics in the industry back in 2023, and attracted many viewers despite (or probably because of) its scandalous nature. The Idol kept us all talking, for better or worse. That being said, when news broke that it would not be returning for a second season, we all could finally breathe.
"It was extremely expensive, critically despised, damaging to the perception of the network, and supposedly did not retain much of an audience. The only surprise is that it wasn't confirmed sooner,” Redditor prailock wrote back when the cancellation news broke.
Fast forward to 2025, and in a bold move that has fans both excited and anxious, The Weeknd is stepping back into the spotlight with his new movie Hurry Up Tomorrow. And the trailer is here. And it looks way too The Idol-y for our comfort.
Hurry Up Tomorrow Movie Sparks Cautious Optimism Among Fans
The recently released trailer has managed to turn some heads, and for the right reasons this time. It showcased striking visuals and compelling editing that's captured our attention. The cinematography and mood feel more aligned with The Weeknd's music videos way more than The Idol's did.
Redditor kazuya57 wrote what many are thinking:
"Please be good. The humiliation XO suffered in 2023 for the idol was too much. But I believe in this. Waves by Schultz was brilliant, and the cast and team are all exciting. Plus I think Abel can actually thrive in this, it seems similar to style he has in his MVs."
Many noted that this project seems more aligned with Tesfaye's strengths. And we're hoping that it's true this time.
Ambitious-Ad8598 pointed out that it "seems promising but needed more of the Weeknd's side of acting but he might deliver this time like the album as he is playing Abel also I think The Weeknd character is officially done after this movie.”
This is very true, as it acknowledges the significance of this being Tesfaye's last project under the name of The Weeknd. Moreover, being inspired by Stephen King 's Misery, and with Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan in the cast, Hurry Up Tomorrow has a chance to stand out.
Jenna Ortega Brings Hope and Hesitation
Jenna Ortega is definitely the one to look out for. Her great presence and impressive track record in the Scream franchise and Netflix 's Wednesday make her a perfect choice for any project. Most recently, Wednesday's massive success truly became a cultural phenomenon, solidifying Ortega's status as one of Hollywood's most promising young talents.
Her recent role in the Miller's Girl, however, leaves room for reservations that Hurry Up Tomorrow may end up being The Idol 2.0.
Social media has been quick with reactions to Ortega's involvement in the project, with fans seemingly more interested in the status of Wednesday Season 2 than her new venture. Under Ortega’s post with the movie trailer in her Instagram account, people expressed confusion about her being part of The Weeknd’s new project and the “all-we-wanted-was-wednesday-season-2” sentiment.
“Yeah, as soon as I saw The Weeknd I was kinda out. [Sorry], but I’m never watching a project he’s in again after [The Idol]. I’ll wait till Jenna’s in something good,” said one of the users in the comment section.
We have yet to see what comes out of this move, and right now our emotions are uncertain. But perhaps that will be the point of this movie – balancing on the edge, between reality and madness. I guess we'll have to see. You can catch Hurry Up Tomorrow in theaters, May 16.
