Heart Eyes: The Bloody Romantic Comedy You Never Knew You Needed This Valentine’s Day

In terms of movie releases, February has traditionally been linked to romantic comedies. However, if you’re looking forward to 2025 films, particularly horror movies are plentiful and worth getting excited about. If you’re like me, who enjoys both genres, I wholeheartedly suggest checking out the latest offering, Heart Eyes. I was fortunate enough to preview it ahead of time for TopMob, and I must say, it left a lasting impact on me in two significant ways.

Caught in a thrilling cinematic sandwich, with Sophie Thatcher’s “Companion” and Stephen King’s latest, “The Monkey,” there lies an entertaining (and amusing) slice of horror: “Heart Eyes.” If you appreciate the blend of chills and laughter in your horror movies, or if you’re seeking a movie that doubles as an engaging choice for date nights, this one could be right up your alley.

For the sake of this discussion, I’ll refrain from revealing any spoilers about “Heart Eyes.” So, feel free to continue reading as I express my thoughts on this unique take on the romantic slasher genre. Trust me, there’s a lot to talk about!

Heart Eyes Is A Rom-Com Inside A Horror Movie, And I Had So Much Fun With It

Heart Eyes” revolves around a fictitious serial killer named the Heart Eyed Slayer who has been terrorizing couples on Valentine’s Day for several years by brutally murdering them. The story focuses on Ally (portrayed by Olivia Holt), a young marketing associate who is freshly single and struggling with a disastrous campaign ahead of the upcoming romantic holiday. Jay, played by Mason Gooding, steps in to help her, but this unexpected collaboration places them squarely in the crosshairs of the Heart Eyed Slayer on Valentine’s Day.

In the end, Ally and Jay find themselves celebrating Valentine’s Day by fleeing from a menacing murderer who has mistaken them for his intended victims due to their mismatch with his typical profile. Simultaneously, Jordana Brewster and Devon Sawa portray detectives hot on the heels of the Heart Eyes Killer. I wasn’t quite sure what to anticipate when starting Heart Eyes, but I was pleasantly surprised by its skillful blend of romantic comedy and horror comedy elements.

This movie was so funny and surprisingly captivating! I laughed and gasped during the cleverly placed gory scenes, but Heart Eyes, the new horror villain, didn’t just scare me – he had me hooked! Despite my initial skepticism, I found myself charmed by his portrayal. On the other hand, the romantic moments made me go “aww” and added a sweet touch to the film. Remarkably, this movie managed to excel in both horror and romance at the same time, leaving me genuinely impressed!

Heart Eyes Also Has A Solid Commentary On Romance Trends

What makes Heart Eyes stand out is its masterful use of tone. It’s darkly twisted yet maintains an enjoyable, playful atmosphere throughout. The film starts off with a chilling opening scene featuring a grisly kill during a proposal (and it doesn’t shy away from intensity afterwards). As the story unfolds, it subtly explores the unsettling aspects of relationships, portraying overzealous couples as ideal targets for a horror narrative.

If you’re in your twenties, similar to myself, it’s likely that your social media feed is brimming with pictures from weddings, engagements, and related events. The film sparked thoughts about the measures taken by couples to garner attention and broadcast their relationships publicly.

On occasions like Valentine’s Day, it seems as though social media transforms into a covert contest of sorts, where couples strive to share the most adorable depictions of their love with the world. This can sometimes become so overwhelmingly sweet that it might even seem plausible for some malevolent figure to lash out against these displays, intending to make a statement about the entire industry. However, I must admit that while I had certain expectations regarding the commentary in Heart Eyes, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it offered much more depth than I initially anticipated, and I was equally impressed by this discovery.

The Heart Eyes Filmmakers Told Me They Had Both Genres In Mind While Making It

During my conversation with the creators of the film “Heart Eyes”, I inquired about the challenges they faced when merging romantic comedies and horror films from their respective backgrounds. Co-writer and producer Chris Landon commented on his experience with this unique project, stating:

In a nutshell, despite my usual disdain for romantic comedies due to excessive exposure through friends and sisters, I found this particular experience incredibly enjoyable. This is partly because I can recognize common themes in both rom coms and horror films, but also because the characters were well-developed enough to invest in, which I believe is the key to the movie’s success. Although we’re playing with some tropes and making light of certain aspects, the romantic elements remain sincere.

Landon and his “Freaky” co-writer Michael Kennedy were recruited following an idea conceived by Philip Murphy. On a disastrous first date in October 2021, Murphy found himself watching numerous horror films during Halloween season. This inspired him to ponder what might have happened if they had connected while being pursued by a movie killer like Jason Voorhees. Interestingly, the romantic comedy enthusiast in this scenario was director Josh Ruben, who shared his unique perspective on the genres with me.

Growing up, my older sister and mom were unabashed fans of Julia Roberts, particularly her iconic role in Pretty Woman. It seemed that film was as much a staple in our home as all the Friday the 13th movies. My sister Rachel, whose music track graced the restaurant scene, played a dual role in my life – she introduced me to both romantic comedies and horror films. Our household had an equal affection for these genres… I, the youngest, was exposed to everything from My Best Friend’s Wedding to The Bodyguard. Though I was often just tagging along, those were big-budget productions shot on anamorphic lenses under beautiful lighting that made a trip to the cinema worthwhile. In this project, I aimed to create something as grand and magnificent as Sleepless in Seattle or My Best Friend’s Wedding, yet imbued with the same sweetness those films always had.

It’s intriguing to notice how filmmakers handle romantic comedies versus horror genres, as they seem to pour equal care and detail into both. In fact, if a couple, one a fan of rom-coms and the other of horror, were to watch this movie together on a date, I believe they’d both find satisfaction – and that’s quite remarkable.

And, I Think Heart Eyes Could Become A Valentine’s Day Tradition For Horror Fans

As a dedicated cinephile, let me tell you, “Heart Eyes” may not be the absolute pinnacle of horror movie excellence I’ve encountered, but it has certainly stolen a piece of my heart. In fact, I believe that if you give this film a chance, you’re in for an entertaining ride, and perhaps even find yourself recommending it to others. It fills a unique gap in the genre landscape, offering an intriguing alternative for those who prefer horror over romance or vice versa.

The film has a delightfully campy quality that makes it a potential rewatch for me, and I can confidently envision myself popping it on during future Valentine’s Days as a refreshing twist on the traditional celebration of love.

This upcoming Friday, February 7, the movie “Heart Eyes” will debut in cinemas. Meanwhile, don’t forget to explore TopMob’s exclusive interview with Mason Gooding discussing his experience in horror films so far.

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2025-02-06 02:09