For the past several years, the "Heart Eyes Killer" has wreaked havoc on Valentine's Day by stalking and murdering romantic couples. This Valentine's Day, no couple is safe.
Heart Eyes, directed by Josh Ruben and written by Phillip Murphy, Christopher Landon, and Michael Kennedy, dares to do something different. It attempts to mix the light-hearted charm of a romantic comedy with the blood-soaked thrills of a slasher film. Starring Alex Walker, Lauren O'Hara, and Latham Gaines, this Valentine’s Day horror-romcom hybrid aims to appeal to both lovers of romance and fans of horror. However, while it shows flashes of creativity and entertainment, it ultimately struggles to fully engage with either genre, leaving audiences with an uneven but amusing watch.
The story revolves around a serial killer known as “Heart Eyes” who terrorises couples each year on February 14th. Hot on his trail are detectives Jeanette Shaw (Jordana Brewster) and Hobbs (Devon Sawa), who are racing against time to catch the maniac before more lovers fall victim. Heart Eyes sets his sights on Ally (Olivia Holt), a pitch designer nursing a broken heart, and Jay (Mason Gooding), a charismatic freelancer brought in to rescue her failing campaign. Their awkward yet charming meet-cute is rudely interrupted by the arrival of the killer, throwing them into a frantic fight for survival.
As they navigate one deadly encounter after another, their flirtatious banter continues to bubble beneath the surface. It’s a clever attempt at maintaining romantic comedy beats within the high-stakes tension of a slasher film. However, the film’s focus on Ally and Jay leaves little room for the classic “whodunnit” suspense that often defines a good slasher. With a limited pool of suspects, the mystery surrounding Heart Eyes’ identity fails to gain any real traction.
Heart Eyes sets out to be both a romantic comedy and a slasher film, but it struggles to find the right balance. On one hand, it leans heavily into the familiar beats of rom-coms—embarrassing meet-cutes, playful banter, and even a quirky wardrobe montage. These moments work well, largely thanks to the chemistry between Holt and Gooding. Holt’s portrayal of Ally brings a likeable, plucky charm, while Gooding’s Jay is effortlessly charismatic. Their blossoming romance is believable and genuinely fun to watch, anchoring the movie with a light-hearted, feel-good energy.
On the other hand, the horror elements often fall flat. While the film doesn’t shy away from bloodshed, it doesn’t quite deliver the tension or fear expected from a slasher. Heart Eyes himself has a memorable design—a twisted, Voodoo doll-inspired mask that is both creepy and playful. Yet, his presence never feels truly menacing. The kills are gory but lack impact, mainly because the story is so focused on the two leads that the supporting characters feel disposable. As a result, Heart Eyes is left without any truly shocking or emotional kills, reducing his threat level significantly.
This uneven approach also extends to the overall tone of the movie. The light, humorous dialogue between Ally and Jay frequently undercuts any sense of peril, which may leave horror fans disappointed. In one scene, they narrowly escape Heart Eyes only to resume their flirtatious banter moments later. It’s entertaining, but it makes the horror feel like an afterthought.
While Holt and Gooding carry the film with their charm, some of the supporting cast are unfortunately underutilised. Devon Sawa’s Detective Hobbs, in particular, feels like a missed opportunity. Introduced as a seasoned investigator on the trail of Heart Eyes, his character never gets the depth or screen time needed to make a significant impact. Similarly, the whodunnit element is brushed aside too quickly, denying the audience the fun of trying to piece together the killer’s identity.
The film also misses the chance to fully explore its setting. It cleverly uses Valentine’s Day—a holiday ripe with romantic clichés and heightened emotions—as a backdrop, but it doesn’t push the concept far enough. Unlike other Valentine’s Day slashers like My Bloody Valentine, which leaned heavily into the holiday’s iconography, Heart Eyes only scratches the surface. A funfair scene, for example, feels disappointingly underutilised, relying on standard horror tropes like dark corners and jump scares rather than playing with the setting’s romantic potential.
Heart Eyes is at its best when it leans into the absurdity of its premise. The opening sequence is a standout—a brutal yet darkly funny take on influencer culture that sets the tone for a film unafraid to poke fun at itself. It’s a shame the movie never quite reaches that same level of inventiveness again. Most of the horror sequences are confined to a single location or rely on a repetitive weapon choice, which limits the creativity of the set pieces.
The film’s attempt to parody both rom-coms and slashers is admirable but uneven. It often feels more like an homage to genre classics rather than a fresh take. For example, it frames scenes just like a traditional romantic comedy—complete with the classic airport chase—but then abruptly shifts to horror with bloody deaths and brutal chases. This sharp contrast is jarring, and while it’s meant to be playful, it sometimes comes across as disjointed.
Heart Eyes deserves credit for trying something new. Merging romantic comedy with slasher horror is no easy task, and it’s rare to see a film attempt this blend so boldly. While it doesn’t always succeed in creating a cohesive experience, it’s still entertaining enough to keep audiences engaged. The charming performances from Holt and Gooding, combined with Josh Ruben’s playful direction, make for an enjoyable, if flawed, Valentine’s date night option.
Ultimately, Heart Eyes is a film caught between two genres, never fully committing to either. It has the heart of a romantic comedy but the blood of a slasher, and while this ambitious experiment doesn’t always hit the mark, it offers a fun and occasionally thrilling ride. For those looking for a unique twist on Valentine’s Day viewing, Heart Eyes is worth a watch—just don’t expect it to deliver fully on either the romance or the horror.
Heart Eyes was released in NZ cinemas on February 13, 2025