Experience the haunting visual journey of The Weeknd’s ?Red Terror? music video, which creates a chilling stop-motion atmosphere that perfectly complements the track from Hurry Up Tomorrow. This innovative work is part of a trilogy that concludes with this album, following the themes established in Dawn FM and After Hours. Through this captivating visual aesthetic, The Weeknd, also known as Abel Tesfaye, invites viewers into a profound exploration of his artistic narrative.
In ?Red Terror,? a young character undergoes a deeply unsettling transformation, set against a backdrop reminiscent of an Upside Down-like alternate dimension. This visual representation draws viewers into a surreal and thought-provoking experience, emphasizing the emotional depth and complexity of the song. The striking imagery serves to enhance the song’s themes, making the video an integral part of the overall narrative that The Weeknd aims to convey through his music.
The music video serves as a powerful visual interpretation of the lyrics, which appear to be directed towards a child from a parental perspective. The title ?Red Terror? carries significant weight, alluding to the Ethiopian Red Terror, a period marked by violent political oppression that led to thousands of deaths during the late 1970s. This historical reference resonates with The Weeknd’s background, as he was born in Canada to parents who emigrated from Ethiopia in the 1980s, further enriching the narrative layers of his work.
The end credits of the video indicate that ?Red Terror? is a cinematic creation by Eddie Alcazar, who has recently gained attention for his work on the science fiction thriller Divinity. Co-produced with acclaimed filmmaker Steven Soderbergh, this film debuted at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival in 2023. Alcazar’s unique vision and style contribute significantly to the atmospheric storytelling present in The Weeknd’s latest project.
Moreover, Alcazar was also responsible for directing The Weeknd?s intense performance of ?Open Hearts? on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which aired just before the weekend. This performance transcended the usual late-night format, with its final minutes transforming into a captivating cinematic production that captivated viewers and added depth to the song’s meaning.
The latter part of ?Open Hearts? acts as a prelude to the themes explored in ?Red Terror.? Although these pieces are not explicitly labeled as a two-part series, it?s clear that watching them in conjunction provides a richer understanding of the narrative. Together, they showcase The Weeknd’s profound storytelling ability and artistic evolution.
The album Hurry Up Tomorrow comprises 22 diverse tracks, featuring previously released hits such as the collaboration with Playboi Carti titled ?Timeless,? which impressively reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Another notable track is ?S?o Paulo,? featuring the talented Anitta, showcasing the album’s eclectic sound and The Weeknd’s versatility as an artist.
Don?t miss The Weeknd?s compelling performances of ?Open Hearts? (as featured on Kimmel) and ?Red Terror.? Check out the videos below to immerse yourself in this captivating musical experience.
