How The Weeknd Turned Sleep Paralysis into Cinematic Art in Hurry Up Tomorrow

The Weeknd recently opened up about his personal struggles with sleep paralysis and how these experiences influenced his upcoming film, Hurry Up Tomorrow. Speaking with The Fader, the singer shared how his encounters with sleep paralysis shaped the film’s narrative, even describing the eerie sensations that come with the condition.

The Weeknd’s Hurry Up Tomorrow

“There are no antagonists in this film,” The Weeknd told The Fader. “I think that sleep paralysis is the enemy.” His statement highlighted how the film draws on his own struggles, blending reality with a sense of surreal horror.

The film explores the concept of an unseen enemy, with sleep paralysis portrayed as a central source of fear and anxiety. Rather than traditional antagonists, the narrative leans on the unsettling experience of being awake yet trapped in a motionless state, often accompanied by hallucinations, a sense of pressure, or the terrifying presence of shadowy figures.

Sleep paralysis is a condition where a person is temporarily unable to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up. It can bring intense, vivid nightmares, making the individual aware of their surroundings but unable to react. These episodes may last for several seconds to minutes, leaving a lingering sense of dread. The Weeknd’s portrayal of this phenomenon in the film is rooted in his own experiences.

The Weeknd also shared his method for managing the condition. “I did my research on it and it’s just lack of sleep,” he said. “Your brain is still awake when you’re asleep. My big medicine for it was to just turn your phone off, turn the TV off, turn all the lights off.”

Beyond the haunting themes of sleep paralysis, Hurry Up Tomorrow is set to hit theaters on May 16. The film, which stars Jenna Ortega, The-Dream, and Barry Keoghan, is described as a unique cinematic experience. During a screening at the 2025 CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Ortega shared her thoughts on the film, calling it “hard to describe.” She added, “I haven’t seen a movie quite like it. It’s very soulful. It feels more like an experience, and when you go into it with that mentality, it makes sense.”

The Weeknd’s interest in sleep and its effects is not new. Earlier this year, he spoke about his habit of taking precisely timed naps to manage stress. “I’ve been fond of taking naps recently,” he shared. “Astronaut naps. 26 minutes. Turn the whole world off. Turn all the lights off and put your alarm to 26 minutes exactly. No more or less. Works like magic.”

With Hurry Up Tomorrow, The Weeknd seems to be channeling his personal battles into a narrative that combines haunting imagery with a soulful cinematic journey. Fans are eagerly waiting to see how his experiences with sleep paralysis translate to the big screen.

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