The Weeknd’s ‘Drive’ Video Features Jenna Ortega from ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’
The Weeknd Unveils Eerie Music Video for "Drive," Teases Upcoming Musical Film Featuring Jenna Ortega
The Weeknd has dropped a hauntingly beautiful music video for “Drive,” a deep cut from his latest album, Hurry Up Tomorrow. This track, setting the tone for an immersive cinematic experience, serves as the foundation for an upcoming feature film of the same name, starring the talented Jenna Ortega and Oscar-nominee Barry Keoghan. Directed by Trey Edward Shults, this collaboration promises to be nothing short of a psychological journey reflective of The Weeknd’s signature sound.
In the visually arresting video, Ortega is drawn into a poignant narrative built on contrast. As the soundtrack envelops the viewer, she navigates through whimsical amusement park rides alongside The Weeknd, expressing fleeting moments of joy while grappling with underlying loneliness. The imagery evokes a sense of blissful nostalgia that quickly shifts to disarray, mirroring the duality so often explored in the artist’s work. The juxtaposition of soaring through a Ferris wheel’s heights with emotional detachment lays the groundwork for the track’s deeper themes.
As the video progresses, The Weeknd slips into the shadows, with the lyrics of “Drive” seamlessly transitioning into the darker corridors of “Baptized in Fear.” The visual’s intensity climaxes as the camera fixates on the artist’s visage, confronting him with a suffocating tide of water—a striking metaphor for rising emotional pressures. “I fell asleep in the tub, I was met with paralysis,” he sings, reflecting raw vulnerability and existential dread.
Hurry Up Tomorrow, set to release on May 16, has been characterized as a "musically driven psychological thriller." The film promises to explore complex themes of identity, self-destruction, and the human condition—issues that resonate deeply with both artists. A trailer reveals a tense confrontation where Ortega implores The Weeknd: “You are hurting yourself and you are hurting everyone around you… something has to change." This moment encapsulates the film’s emotional intensity and The Weeknd’s lyrical introspection.
Interestingly, Hurry Up Tomorrow is rumored to be the final project from Abel Tesfaye under the Weeknd moniker. In an earlier interview with Variety, Tesfaye expressed the need for evolution in his career, stating, “Everything needs to feel like a challenge. And for me right now, the Weeknd… it’s been mastered.” His pursuit of new challenges hints at a dramatic pivot in his artistic journey, leaving fans eager and anxious about what lies ahead.
With the release of the music video, audiences are not only treated to a glimpse into a beautifully complex narrative but also a tantalizing preview of what to expect from Hurry Up Tomorrow. As the paths of The Weeknd and Ortega intertwine both musically and cinematically, the anticipation for this innovative project continues to build, marking a transformative chapter in the icon’s illustrious career.
