Category: Horror, Romance
Written By: Shamar (Vibez) Binns Date: 02/24/25
Heart Eyes
Heart Eyes introduces a new masked slasher with the potential to become a recognizable horror icon like Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, or Ghostface. Set during Valentine’s Day, the idea of a serial killer targeting romantic couples creates the perfect foundation for a fun, bloody, and suspenseful holiday horror movie. Unfortunately, despite its promising concept and entertaining moments, the film falls short of becoming the memorable slasher it could have been.
The story follows Ally and Jay, two coworkers who are mistakenly identified as a couple by the Heart Eyes Killer. What begins as an awkward professional partnership quickly turns into a deadly fight for survival as they are chased across the city. The setup allows the film to combine the structure of a romantic comedy with the violence and mystery of a traditional slasher.
Director Josh Ruben clearly understands both genres and commits to creating a movie that can be romantic, comedic, and violent within the same story. His direction gives Heart Eyes a playful personality, with exaggerated kills, awkward romantic situations, and several moments designed to make the audience laugh immediately after being placed under tension. The Valentine’s Day setting is also used creatively through decorations, romantic locations, and heart-shaped imagery.
However, the balance between horror and comedy never completely worked for me. The film leans so heavily into its jokes and romantic-comedy energy that much of the suspense disappears. Just as a scene begins building genuine fear, the movie often interrupts the tension with humor. Some of the jokes are entertaining, but they make it difficult for the Heart Eyes Killer to feel like a serious threat.
This is especially noticeable when comparing the film to Scream. That franchise also mixes comedy, romance, mystery, and graphic violence, but Ghostface still feels dangerous whenever an attack begins. Heart Eyes does not always create that same separation. The killer can appear visually threatening, but the playful tone surrounding the chase sequences sometimes removes the fear before it has a chance to settle in.
The killer’s design is easily one of the movie’s strongest elements. The dark clothing and glowing heart-shaped eyes create a simple but recognizable appearance that fits the Valentine’s Day theme perfectly. The mask could become an iconic piece of modern slasher imagery. You can immediately identify the character from the silhouette alone, which is important for any villain designed to lead a potential horror franchise.
Unfortunately, the character behind the mask is not nearly as memorable as the design. Heart Eyes lacks the terrifying presence of Michael Myers and the personality and mystery associated with Ghostface. The motivation and eventual explanation feel predictable, preventing the reveal from adding another meaningful layer to the story. A stronger backstory could have transformed the killer from an entertaining holiday concept into a genuinely fascinating antagonist.
The mystery also needed more carefully placed clues and believable suspects. Part of the fun of a movie like Scream is attempting to determine who is behind the mask while questioning the motives of nearly every character. Heart Eyes provides that mystery on the surface, but the screenplay does not develop it deeply enough. By the time the truth is revealed, the answer feels more expected than shocking.
Where the film works best is through the chemistry between Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding. Holt gives Ally a cynical perspective on romance, while Gooding brings warmth and charm to Jay. Their opposing personalities create a natural romantic-comedy dynamic, and their growing connection gives the audience a reason to care about whether they survive.
Olivia Holt balances Ally’s sarcasm and vulnerability well. Her character is guarded and skeptical of romance, but the film gradually reveals the disappointment underneath that attitude. Holt keeps Ally likable even when she is emotionally defensive, and she handles both the comedic and physical demands of the role effectively.
Mason Gooding continues proving that he is a natural fit for the horror genre. He brings humor, confidence, and genuine emotion to Jay without making the character feel like a stereotypical romantic lead. His charisma works especially well alongside Holt, and their conversations provide some of the movie’s most enjoyable moments.
Their relationship is ultimately more engaging than the mystery surrounding the killer. As they run, hide, argue, and attempt to survive together, their feelings begin developing in a way that feels believable within the film’s intentionally exaggerated world. Their performances add real heart, pun fully intended, to an otherwise familiar storyline.
The supporting cast also adds personality, particularly Devon Sawa and Jordana Brewster as the detectives investigating the murders. Their presence strengthens the film’s connection to the horror genre, but their characters could have been given more material to deepen the investigation and make the mystery feel more important.
The kills are violent, creative, and appropriately excessive for a modern slasher. Josh Ruben does not hold back when it comes to blood or physical comedy, and several sequences are clearly designed to receive loud reactions from a theater audience. The practical effects and staging provide entertainment, even when the scenes do not always create genuine fear.
The film’s pacing keeps the story moving, and at approximately an hour and 37 minutes, it does not overstay its welcome. There is almost always another joke, chase, romantic argument, or violent encounter approaching. That energy makes Heart Eyes an easy and entertaining watch, but the constant movement leaves limited space for atmosphere, dread, or deeper character development.
Heart Eyes would have benefited from taking its horror more seriously in a few important moments. The comedy did not need to disappear, but the film needed longer stretches in which the audience genuinely feared the killer. Allowing the suspense to build without immediately releasing it through a joke could have made the attacks more intense and the villain more memorable.
The premise still has franchise potential. A killer who hunts couples during Valentine’s Day is easy to understand, visually marketable, and flexible enough to support additional stories. With a stronger mystery, a more compelling motivation, and a darker approach to the villain, Heart Eyes could eventually grow into a recognizable holiday slasher series.
Overall, Heart Eyes is a decent and entertaining watch with fun character moments, strong chemistry between its leads, and a visually memorable killer. Josh Ruben delivers an energetic combination of romantic comedy and slasher violence, but the film’s heavy reliance on humor weakens the suspense and prevents its villain from reaching iconic status.
It has the mask, the holiday, and the concept needed to become something special. It just needed more fear behind those glowing eyes.