Combining a Valentine’s Day romantic film with a slasher is no easy feat. They aren’t typically two genres that mash together well, yet director Josh Ruben manages to make these two work perfectly together. With a sharp script penned by Christopher Landon, Michael Kennedy & Phillip Murphy (from Freaky and Happy Death Day) and characters you want to make it to the end, it’s a horror comedy you won’t soon forget.
Ally (Olivia Holt) is an advertising agent for high end jewelry, when she launches a romantic campaign that causes controversy due to a serial killer known as ‘Heart Eyes’ who has targeted couples on Valentines day, three years in a row. The campaign targets couples that suffer an early demise like Jack & Rose from Titanic, Bonnie & Clyde etc. and when things start to fall apart, Ally meets Jay (Mason Gooding), a freelance who is able to help her handle the situation.
Jay and Ally have a connection, and while Ally is still dealing with her recent break-up, Jay puts the moves on her and an unwitting public kiss sets Heart Eyes in their way. The majority of the story puts the pair trying to convince the killer that they are definitely not together. Jay’s calm and confident demeanour goes up against Ally’s hard and sometimes icy facade.
The chemistry between Holt and Gooding is off the charts here. The stark opposition of their personalities and the constant will they or won’t they mixed in with the unrelenting chase from the killer is what will keep your interest here. The script is extremely self-aware and is packed full of tropes of both genres and isn’t afraid to poke fun at them, without coming off as too cheesy.
The design of Heart Eyes is inventive and reminiscent of the Baby killer in the Happy Death Day films. The kills are dialled up here, with loads of blood and splatter to satisfy horror fans. The killer is not afraid to use any available object to keep the kills creative.
Heart Eyes is a fantastic romp. It is unafraid to play with the horror and romance genre, leaning into tropes and poking fun in jest that combine with creative kills make this the ultimate Valentine’s Day date movie.
4 stars out of 5.
Heart Eyes releases in Australian cinemas on February 13th.
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