Heart Eyes makes up for what the titular killer lacks in memorability and clear motives with gory deaths, sweet romance, and killer-comedy.
Director: Josh Ruben
Genre: Horror
Run Time: 90′
U.S. Release Date: February 7, 2025
U.K. Release Date: February 14, 2025
Where to Watch: In US theaters and in UK & Irish cinemas
On paper, Josh Ruben’s Heart Eyes has an intriguing setup. In this horror comedy produced by Screen Gems and Spyglass Media Group, a psychotic killer is on the loose in the USA, traveling from city to city in search of victims. But there’s a catch. This murdering machine known as the Heart Eyes Killer only pursues couples who are in love, and romance seems to be the executioner’s kink. So, rest assured that if you’re single this Valentine’s Day, there’s no need to worry. Unless, of course, you get in this masked slayer’s way.
After a disastrous meet-cute between Ally (Olivia Holt, of Totally Killer) and Jay (Mason Gooding, of Y2K), the pair later realize they work for the same company. As it turns out, Jay has been hired by the establishment to help correct a destructive marketing campaign that Ally created. When Jay invites Ally for dinner to discuss “work” matters, the Heart Eyes Killer spots them together, recognizes their undeniable chemistry, and mistakenly believes they are a couple. As a result, they become the criminal’s newest pursuit, and the carnage count only increases from there.
On the one hand, I can see precisely why horror fans will love this film. It’s a holiday-themed romantic slasher that isn’t afraid to embrace the absurdity of its premise. The idea behind the killer is also unique and adds a twist to the subgenre. The murderer’s mask is far from menacing, but this cutesy get-up is all part of the gag. There’s also a surprising level of humor embedded into the storyline. Compared to other slashers in recent years that fall short when delving into the comedic side of the narrative, in Heart Eyes, the humorous elements actually work.
Viewers may also be surprised to see how much focus there is on the blossoming romance between Ally and Jay, so much so that it is the complete driving force of the plot. After an extraordinarily gruesome and bloody cold open, Heart Eyes spends a fair amount of time building the connection between our two main leads. Now, that’s not to say it’s a significant drawback. This is a Valentine’s Day-themed horror film, after all, and it’s rare to see a well-crafted romance in a slasher.
Plus, Gooding and Holt’s electrifying chemistry only elevates their courtship. Ally and Jay are also lovable characters that you root for. There’s ample character development to keep the audience invested in their story and hope that they can escape this deadly situation. As Jay, Gooding is exceptionally charismatic and has impeccable comedic delivery. Holt also performs well, reflecting Ally’s recent heartbreak and vulnerabilities, which makes her character relatable.
That said, Ally and Jay’s romance overshadows the horror, and I couldn’t help but feel somewhat frustrated when leaving my screening. When the kill fest begins, Heart Eyes features plenty of creative deaths. They are gory beyond measure and will surely satisfy horror fans showing up for the carnage candy. However, a major drawback is that apart from the comical disguise the murderer hides under, which is distinctive, the Heart Eyes Killer isn’t all that interesting. Instead, the impact of the kills is far more memorable than Heart Eyes’ presence and backstory.
Then there’s the third-act killer reveal, which feels eerily similar to another slasher released in the last five years (when you see it, you’ll know which one). However, the major difference with Heart Eyes is that the murderer’s motivation isn’t clear or satisfying and lacks logical reasoning. Due to the film’s satire, that seems to be the point and all part of the enjoyment, but for a slasher that centers around a killer with such a visually unique appearance, I couldn’t help but feel like the final act was a copout.
Even though Heart Eyes didn’t entirely work for me, I would still encourage horror fans to see it at the cinema. Although the Heart Eyes Killer’s unthreatening presence and reveal may be the weakest part of the story, the narrative makes up for it with creative deaths, a compelling, surprising romance, and top-tier comedy. If Heart Eyes ends up becoming a horror cult classic, I can absolutely see why.
Heart Eyes: Movie Plot & Recap
Synopsis:
After a disastrous meet-cute, Ally and Jay become the unlikely targets of the Heart Eyes Killer, an infamous murderer who slays couples on Valentine’s Day.
Pros:
- Extremely gory kills that will satisfy those coming for the carnage candy.
- Some exceptional comedy, which is the film’s greatest strength.
- Great performances and likable characters, notably Jay, who is sickly sweet and charming.
Cons:
- The killer’s motives don’t make sense, and Heart Eyes’ backstory isn’t satisfying or well-developed.
- The reveal feels like a complete copycat of another slasher film.
- The kills themselves are far more memorable than the actual killer, which diminishes the stakes.
Heart Eyes will be released in US theatres on February 7, 2025 and in UK & Irish cinemas on February 14.
Heart Eyes: Movie Trailer (Sony Pictures Entertainment)
