Synopsis
The Weeknd returns to a luxury apartment after an apparent romantic reunion, while his girlfriend spends the night with another man. Their separate stories unfold in parallel, creating the impression of a troubled but intimate relationship. As the evening progresses, the two narratives finally converge. The seemingly tender homecoming turns into a brutal revenge scenario, ending with a shocking act of violence that gives the song's lyrics a stark and disturbing visual counterpart.
Factoids & Trivia
- The video was released on September 20, 2013, as part of the promotion for *Kiss Land*. It was the final music video released from the album's original campaign.
- The video's central idea was described as a revenge narrative disguised as a love story. The treatment was designed to avoid illustrating the lyrics too literally and instead build toward an unexpected ending.
- The Weeknd reportedly helped establish the video's tone by sharing still images from films he admired. The visual references included *A Bittersweet Life*, *Leon*, *Only God Forgives*, *Collateral*, *A Prophet*, *Killing Them Softly*, *Fight Club*, *Se7en*, *The Matrix*, and *Drive*.
- The production intentionally presents horrific events in an elegant, attractive visual style, creating a contrast between the video's polished appearance and its grim subject matter.
- The gunshot heard in the video was connected to the sound and atmosphere of the track itself, rather than being included as part of a planned series of gun-related videos.
- The video attracted attention for its explicit content and unusually violent conclusion, reinforcing the dark, cinematic identity associated with *Kiss Land*.