The Weeknd’s “Drive” music video transforms anguish into art on the fast-paced Ferris Wheel
The music world in 2025 is witnessing a cultural revolution with The Weeknd’s album “Hurry Up Tomorrow” at its epicenter, with “Drive” standing out as a mesmerizing visual masterpiece. The Weeknd blurs the lines between his persona and his performance in this haunting video that transcends the typical music video format, delving into the realms of a cinematic experience.
Jenna Ortega’s presence alongside The Weeknd is not just that of a co-star, but a reflection of emotional depth, fragility, and restrained power. The desolate setting of an amusement park at twilight serves as a ghostly backdrop that sets the tone for the unfolding narrative of heartbreak and fleeting intimacy. The Ferris wheel, symbolic of cyclical heartache, becomes a silent witness to the quiet moments of connection that ultimately lead nowhere, capturing the essence of love’s departure through Ortega’s poignant portrayal of emotional detachment.
As the video progresses, it takes a darker turn with the seamless transition into “Baptized in Fear,” plunging The Weeknd into a metaphorical and literal baptism of darkness and suffocation. The bathtub scene becomes a visual representation of paralysis and existential pressure, evoking a sense of finality as the persona of The Weeknd is metaphorically drowned, marking the end of an era.
Directed by Trey Edward Shults, the visionary behind the upcoming feature film “Hurry Up Tomorrow,” the video intensifies the psychological tension hinted at in the trailers. Ortega’s piercing line about self-inflicted pain and the need for change reverberates through every frame, underscoring the underlying themes of transformation and catharsis.
Amidst the sorrow and introspection, a hint of playfulness lurks within the melancholy, hinting at a real-world twist involving a mysterious “Ferris wheel takeover” at Coachella 2025’s second weekend. The symbolic significance of this event remains shrouded in mystery, promising a spectacle infused with layers of symbolism and thematic resonance, echoing the enigmatic essence of “Hurry Up Tomorrow.”
This visual masterpiece may very well mark the swan song of The Weeknd, as Abel Tesfaye contemplates retiring his iconic moniker. If indeed this is the end of an era, then “Drive” transcends being a mere music video, transforming into a poignant requiem that captures the essence of beauty, melancholy, and unforgettable artistry.