‘Heart Eyes’ Review: A Been-There-Slashed-That Rom-Com Horror Flick

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From its inception, the “meet cute” has been a common trope in romantic comedies. Given this, it’s fitting that in Josh Ruben’s (“Werewolves Within”) latest work, a blend of romance and horror titled “Heart Eyes“, the death of couples becomes a charming spectacle. However, to clarify, this charm is not in the traditional sense; rather, it lies in gory scenes such as spears piercing through eyes or heads being crushed into gruesome pulp. For the intended audience of “Heart Eyes“, these violent deaths are indeed a delight, with more graphic depictions being preferred over subtler ones, much like how audiences once cherished elaborate musical numbers.

In the 1930s and ’40s, movie musicals were at their peak. Similarly, the period when slasher movies thrived was the 1980s. Just like the Scream series, the film Heart Eyes blends elements of homage and parody. Notably, it references My Bloody Valentine, particularly the original from 1981, not its remake, given that it’s set on Valentine’s Day.

The narrative centers on an annual series of murders occurring during holidays across various cities. The murderer dons a mask with unique heart-shaped eyeholes. Not only does this mask convey an ominous antisocial statement, but it also serves practical purposes such as night vision and emitting a red glow in the dark. This enigmatic figure, often referred to as the “Heart Eyes Killer” or “HEK,” specifically targets romantic couples. Given this pattern, anyone could potentially be a suspect since everyone becomes a possible target of his resentment towards love.

In the movie, the main characters, Ally (played by Olivia Holt) and Jay (portrayed by Mason Gooding), aren’t a romantic pair… not just yet, anyway. Their boss, portrayed by Michaela Watkins in a witty nod to Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestly in “The Devil Wears Prada,” forces them to work together on a marketing campaign. Later at dinner, Ally impulsively kisses Jay after seeing her ex with his new girlfriend, which unwittingly draws the attention of Heart Eyes towards them.

As I huddled in Ally’s room, barely catching my breath after the chilling encounter with the mysterious killer, I couldn’t believe it when he popped up from her closet mere minutes later. Panic set in as we clashed in a frenzied fight that spilled out into the cold night. In a split second, Ally bolted, leaving me to face an unknown fate.

Just as things seemed to calm down, the police arrived on the scene, and it was none other than Jay who was taken away as a prime suspect. The investigators, portrayed by Devon Sawa and Jordana Brewster, were named Hobbs and Shaw – an interesting touch in this screenplay written by the talented trio of Philip Murphy, Christopher Landon, and Michael Kennedy. Their previous works include horror films like “Freaky,” “It’s a Wonderful Knife,” and “Happy Death Day” and its sequel, demonstrating their knack for creating suspenseful, witty narratives.

The creators’ clear love for the genre is evident in each scene of the movie, and it’s worth noting that “Heart Eyes” incorporates numerous clever elements. For instance, the potential victims insist “We aren’t a couple!” as a desperate attempt to deter the romance-fixated murderer. Moreover, there’s an abundance of imaginative violence, ensuring satisfaction for even the most ardent fans of gore, and these gruesome scenes are presented with the type of practical effects that enthusiasts appreciate.

Although the storyline of Heart Eyes follows typical horror genre conventions, this familiarity doesn’t make it particularly engaging, unless you find a character vomiting on a killer to be an exciting development. It’s not much of a surprise that the villain appears to have been killed off, given that there’s still 30 minutes left in the film and we all know he’ll come back somehow. The way the screenwriters unveil the killer’s identity is convoluted and lackluster, but it does offer a chance for one actor to deliver an over-the-top performance.

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2025-01-31 17:26