So, you’ve probably seen the grainy set photos or heard the whispers about a psychological thriller starring Jenna Ortega and Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye. It feels like it’s been in the works forever, right? Honestly, the hype around the jenna ortega weeknd movie—officially titled Hurry Up Tomorrow—was massive before it even had a trailer. You had the reigning queen of spooky vibes from Wednesday teaming up with one of the biggest pop stars on the planet. Throw in Barry Keoghan, basically the king of playing unsettling characters, and you've got a recipe for a certified cultural moment.
But then things got... complicated.
If you're looking for a standard Hollywood success story, this isn't exactly it. The film, directed by Trey Edward Shults (the guy who gave us Waves and It Comes at Night), was always intended to be more than just a movie. It was designed as a "companion piece" to Abel’s 2025 album of the same name. Basically, it’s a high-stakes, big-budget fever dream that blurs the line between a cinematic narrative and a long-form music video.
The Reality of the Jenna Ortega Weeknd Movie
Let’s get the facts straight because there’s been a ton of noise online. Hurry Up Tomorrow officially hit theaters on May 16, 2025, distributed by Lionsgate. Despite the heavy hitters in the cast, the box office was, well, pretty rough. It pulled in about $7.8 million worldwide against a budget that most reports peg around $15 million.
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Why didn’t it explode? Kinda hard to say for sure, but the critical reception was brutal. We’re talking a 14% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics didn't hold back, with some calling it a "vanity project" and others just finding the surrealist, psychological plot way too messy to follow.
The story itself follows a fictionalized version of Abel—a famous musician struggling with crippling insomnia and depression. He meets a mysterious fan, played by Jenna Ortega (named Anima in the script), and gets sucked into an existential "odyssey" that basically breaks his reality. Barry Keoghan plays his manager, Lee, who tries to keep the wheels from falling off. It's moody. It's dark. It's very "The Weeknd."
What Went Wrong (and Right)
Honestly, if you're a die-hard XO fan, you probably loved it. The audience score on Rotten Tomatoes actually sits at a much more respectable 61%. Fans appreciated the visual symbolism and the way it tied into the album's themes of self-reflection and "killing off" the Weeknd persona. Jenna Ortega, as usual, was a standout. Even the harshest reviews admitted she and Keoghan gave "game performances" despite the script being a bit of a labyrinth.
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The production itself had some heavy hitters behind the scenes:
- Daniel Lopatin (Oneohtrix Point Never) composed the score alongside Abel.
- Chayse Irvin handled the cinematography, giving it that lush, dreamlike look.
- The late Kevin Turen produced it, marking one of his final projects.
Where Can You Watch It Now?
If you missed the theatrical run—which, let’s be real, most people did—you can actually find it streaming now. As of late 2025, the jenna ortega weeknd movie landed on Prime Video (specifically in the UK/Ireland, with varying availability in the US). It’s also available for digital purchase on most major platforms.
It's funny how these things work. While the critics panned it, the film has already started to develop a bit of a cult following. It’s the kind of movie people watch at 2:00 AM when they can’t sleep, which is pretty meta considering the plot.
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Navigating the Fallout
Interestingly, the movie’s "failure" at the box office hasn't really slowed down the stars. Jenna Ortega is still booked and busy with Wednesday Season 2 and various film projects. Barry Keoghan is... well, he's Barry Keoghan. He’s fine.
But for Abel, this was a massive swing. After the backlash to HBO’s The Idol, he clearly wanted Hurry Up Tomorrow to be his "I’m a serious actor/filmmaker" moment. Instead, he ended up on the 2026 Razzie Shortlist for things like "Worst Actor" and "Worst Screenplay." Ouch.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Viewers
If you're planning to dive into Hurry Up Tomorrow this weekend, here's how to actually enjoy it without getting frustrated:
- Listen to the album first. The movie makes almost zero sense if you aren't familiar with the lyrics and the "trilogy" storyline Abel has been building since After Hours.
- Don't expect a traditional thriller. This isn't Scream or Wednesday. It's experimental. Think of it as a 105-minute visual album rather than a standard Hollywood narrative.
- Watch for the symbolism. There are tons of "Easter eggs" hidden in the cinematography that reference Abel's past music videos (like "Save Your Tears" and "Dancing in the Flames").
- Check Prime Video or Apple TV. If it’s not on your local streaming service, it’s usually available for a $5.99 rental.
The jenna ortega weeknd movie might not have been the blockbuster Lionsgate hoped for, but as a piece of art? It’s definitely something you have to see for yourself to form an opinion. Just don't expect a happy ending. Or a clear one.