AtanariaJosh Ruben’s “Heart Eyes” isn’t just a movie—it’s a brilliantly executed love letter to both romantic comedies and slasher films, seamlessly weaving the two into a bloody, hilarious, and unexpectedly charming spectacle. What starts as an exaggerated take on influencer culture quickly shifts into a macabre joyride of romance and terror, ensuring that audiences are simultaneously swooning and screaming.
A Genre-Bending Delight
At its core, “Heart Eyes” thrives on the inherent similarities between romcoms and horror films—grand gestures can either be heartwarming or horrifying, and the pursuit of love isn’t all that different from the hunt of a masked killer. Ruben, alongside screenwriters Phillip Murphy, Christopher Landon, and Michael Kennedy, leans into these parallels, crafting a film that both celebrates and subverts its respective genres. It’s as if “Scream” collided with “They Came Together” while borrowing the self-aware humor of “Scary Movie.”
The story follows Ally (Olivia Holt), a marketing executive nursing a broken heart, whose latest ad campaign inadvertently places her in the crosshairs of the Heart Eyes killer. Teaming up with Jay (Mason Gooding), a charismatic colleague she initially clashes with, Ally finds herself at the center of both a workplace romance and a deadly pursuit. When their fake dating ploy to rile up an ex catches the eye of the masked murderer, the couple must navigate both their growing attraction and the looming threat of grisly demise. Adding to the chaos are two detectives, Jeanine Shaw (Jordana Brewster) and Zeke Hobbs (Devon Sawa), who provide an additional comedic layer with their inept but well-meaning investigation.
Clever Writing and Standout Performances
What makes “Heart Eyes” so effective is its balance of humor and horror. The film never takes itself too seriously, peppering in self-aware jokes, genre-savvy winks, and razor-sharp dialogue that keeps the energy high. At the same time, it delivers on the horror front with inventive kills and suspenseful set pieces. A standout moment involves Ally discovering the Heart Eyes killer hiding in her messy closet during a particularly embarrassing moment—a scene that perfectly encapsulates the film’s ability to blend comedy and tension.
Holt, fresh off her success in “Totally Killer,” proves to be a compelling lead, nimbly shifting between awkward, endearing, and badass as the film progresses. She carries the movie with effortless charm, making Ally both relatable and heroic. Gooding, given far more room to shine than in his “Scream” appearances, is a charismatic counterpoint, bringing depth to what could have been a standard romcom love interest. Their chemistry is undeniable, making the romance as compelling as the horror elements.
Meanwhile, Gigi Zumbado steals scenes as Ally’s fast-talking best friend, delivering some of the film’s funniest moments. Brewster and Sawa add another layer of humor as the mismatched detectives, even if their subplot occasionally drags. The film’s self-referential humor extends to their very names—Hobbs and Shaw—a joke that may be too obvious for some but still lands for others.
Stunning Visuals and Inventive Kills
Visually, “Heart Eyes” is just as striking as it is entertaining. Cinematographer Stephen Murphy masterfully shifts between warm, romantic hues and darker, eerie tones, reinforcing the film’s constant genre-switching. Sequences set in a picturesque winery, a carousel, and a drive-in theater showing “His Girl Friday” all carry a dreamlike quality—until they are interrupted by bursts of blood and terror.
The film’s kills are as creative as they are gory. Ruben finds ways to make each death memorable, whether it’s a blood-splattered lens effect, a shocking first-person shooter perspective, or a particularly gruesome moment where a hole punched through a victim’s head becomes a literal iris focusing on Ally’s terror. The influence of classic slashers is evident, but “Heart Eyes” injects enough originality to keep things fresh.
Minor Flaws, Major Fun
While “Heart Eyes” largely succeeds in its ambitious genre fusion, it isn’t without its flaws. The subplot involving the detectives, while often amusing, occasionally slows the momentum. Certain jokes, like the “Fast & Furious” reference, are a bit too on-the-nose. Additionally, the whodunnit element may not be for everyone, though it remains engaging enough to sustain intrigue.
Despite these minor hiccups, “Heart Eyes” is a triumph of tonal balance. Unlike other horror-comedies that struggle to juggle their elements, this film effortlessly shifts between laugh-out-loud moments and genuine suspense. It never veers into full parody, instead crafting a world where love and horror go hand in hand.
A New Valentine’s Day Staple
Ultimately, “Heart Eyes” is more than just a fun experiment—it’s an absolute blast from start to finish. It’s a film that understands and respects both the romcom and slasher genres, using their familiar beats to craft something entirely fresh. Ruben’s direction, combined with sharp writing, stellar performances, and a visually stunning presentation, ensures that “Heart Eyes” will become a go-to favorite for fans of both genres.
For those tired of the usual Valentine’s Day fare, this movie is a breath of fresh air—a perfectly twisted date night flick that delivers both romance and mayhem in equal measure. Whether you’re watching with your significant other or a group of friends, “Heart Eyes” will leave you grinning, gasping, and maybe even a little bit in love with its devilishly fun approach to horror and romance.
This one’s destined to become a cult classic—and, for many, an annual Valentine’s tradition.
