Another inventive spin on Valentine’s Day movies is now in theaters, which takes the slasher-horror subgenre and infuses it with romantic comedy. After watching Heart Eyes, I couldn’t help but think about the Scream franchise because that comedic horror saga obviously inspires this movie. Nevertheless, I had a great time with this movie as the humor works so well, and the thrills and gores deliver when it comes to entertainment.
In this cinematic world, a serial killer has, for several years, targeted couples on Valentine’s Day and has managed to elude law enforcement. Ally (Olivia Holt), a marketer for a jewelry company, is tasked with coming up with a new campaign for her employers after delivering a tone-deaf promotion that feels too akin to recent events. Her boss, Crystal (Micaela Watkins), assigns her to work with marketing genius Jay Simmons (Mason Gooding), who instantly becomes enamored with her. After attempting to connect and work with one another on Valentine’s Day, the two find themselves targeted by the Heart Eyes killer.
Written by Phillip Murphy, Christopher Landon, and Michael Kennedy, and directed by Josh Ruben, Heart Eyes is a fun and thrilling film that resembles Scream. The film delivers humor that is very self-aware regarding both the horror and romantic-comedy elements. Thankfully, the movie doesn’t come across too heavy-handedly and is an excellent time at the cinema.
What helps make this movie work so well are the performances and chemistry between the lead actors. Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding are so good together in this film. The development of their relationship feels very credible, and their responses to their harrowing journey work so well. In addition, they both have the comedic chops and timing to make the comic elements work. The movie also features solid turns by Gigi Zumbado, Michaela Watkins, Devon Sawa, and Jordana Brewster.
If I were to recommend a fun, sweet, and entertaining movie for Valentine’s Day, it would be Heart Eyes. Now, I get that not all couples will enjoy horror, thrills, and gore when it comes to their romance stories, but for those who can appreciate those elements, Heart Eyes is the one to pursue.