Heart Eyes: A Valentine’s Day Slasher That Delivers Blood and Romance

Feb 1, 2025

If you’re a fan of horror with a side of romance, Heart Eyes is the film that promises to make your Valentine’s Day memorable in the most gruesome way possible. From the producers of Scream, this upcoming slasher movie mixes love and terror in a way that only a few films before it have dared to. Directed by Josh Ruben and featuring a talented cast, Heart Eyes is set to hit theaters this February 2025.

The Story: A Killer’s Heart

For several years, the “Heart Eyes Killer” has terrorized couples on Valentine’s Day, stalking and murdering those who dare to celebrate the holiday of love. Heart Eyes opens with a brutal double homicide that sets the film’s tone, violent, darkly comedic, and gleefully exaggerated. With the killer on the loose once again, no couple is safe, and Ally (Olivia Holt) and Jay (Mason Gooding) are in his sights.

Ally, a cynical woman working in marketing for a Seattle-based jewelry company, is not looking for love, especially not on Valentine’s Day. But fate throws her into a meet-cute with Jay, a charming, yoga-loving heartthrob. Together, they’ll have to dodge the Heart Eyes Killer, who mistakes them for one of the romantic couples he’s out to slay.

Heart Eyes: A Valentine’s Day Slasher That Delivers Blood and Romance - Posters4
Credited to TMDB

The Heart Eyes Killer: A Classic Slasher With a Twist

Much like Scream before it, Heart Eyes takes the slasher genre and throws in a few unexpected twists. It’s as much a rom-com as it is a horror film. The movie effortlessly juggles familiar slasher tropes, like an ominous opening kill and gory scenes, with the charm of a classic romantic comedy. Think Katherine Heigl meets a masked murderer.

The chemistry between Ally and Jay is a mix of genuine romance and the type of playful banter you’d expect from the rom-com genre. The pairing might seem formulaic at first, but it’s surprisingly endearing as they race against time and dodge gruesome attacks.

Heart Eyes: A Valentine’s Day Slasher That Delivers Blood and Romance - Posters4
Credited to TMDB

Gore Meets Romance: A Perfect Pairing?

What truly sets Heart Eyes apart is the way it combines gore with heartfelt moments. The film doesn’t shy away from violence, and the deaths are almost cartoonish in their over-the-top nature. From tire iron murders to blood-splattered chases, Josh Ruben’s direction ensures that fans of blood and guts get their fill.

Yet, the film never forgets the romantic undertone. Ally and Jay’s budding relationship might be plagued by the occasional murderous rampage, but the sincerity of their chemistry keeps the movie grounded. It’s a fun exploration of opposites attracting, with the horror serving as more of a backdrop to their evolving connection.

Heart Eyes: A Valentine’s Day Slasher That Delivers Blood and Romance - Posters4
Credited to TMDB

A Familiar Yet Fun Experience

While Heart Eyes has its fair share of clichés, including the awkward best friend and the “will-they-won’t-they” dynamic, it doesn’t take itself too seriously. The film gleefully nods to rom-com conventions while slashing them up with a bloodied edge. The ending, while reminiscent of Scream, lacks the gut-wrenching mystery of its predecessors, but it still delivers a satisfying conclusion for fans of both genres.

Heart Eyes: A Valentine’s Day Slasher That Delivers Blood and Romance - Posters4
Credited to TMDB

Verdict: A Bloody Good Time for Fans of Both Genres

If you’re looking for a film that offers both a cheesy romantic comedy and a bloody slasher, Heart Eyes is your Valentine’s Day treat. While it may not quite reach the heights of Scream or the best of the rom-com genre, it’s an enjoyable genre mash-up that’ll leave you smiling, if not cringing at the splatter.