Rating: 2.5/5
Synopsis:
Holiday horror has been picking up in recent years, so it’s about time “My Bloody Valentine” got some competition! “Heart Eyes” features another Valentine’s Day killer, this time by hunting down happy couples. As the murderous rampage plagues Seattle, one unlucky couple gets caught in the thick of it. But the twist…they’re not actually a couple! Can these two unlucky singles avoid the killer while finding love along the way?
Positives:
On paper, “Heart Eyes” should be a slam dunk. It has a great premise that perfectly wraps into the Valentine’s Day spirit. We are quickly introduced to the killer in an exciting, gory sequence that sets everything up wonderfully. The leads of the film also bring a lot of charm to the story. Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding demonstrate impressive chemistry as their characters get roped into their blood soaked circumstance. They are given some witty dialogue and great opportunities to showcase why they deserve some happiness during the holidays. As the premise goes on, they solidify themselves as worthy protagonists who we want to survive. Their playful rom-com dynamic is a great combination in between the gnarly kills demonstrated by the Heart Eyes Killer.
While the film isn’t particularly scary, it has enough carnage candy to satisfy the slasher fans who are going to see this. From beginning to end, we are treated to some creative kills that will make audiences wince. The killer’s costume is noteworthy, where the big trench coat combined with an array of holiday themed weapons makes for a fresh foe for horror fans to latch onto. I especially enjoyed the killer’s mask, where the leathery skin texture mixed with the heart shaped eyes (which also light up in the dark) make for a fantastic design. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel in the story department, “Heart Eyes” doesn’t take itself too seriously, making it a palatable option for couples looking for something to see.
Negatives:
I wanted to love “Heart Eyes”, but the longer it went on the more it rubbed me the wrong way. It was pretty obvious that the film wouldn’t be taking itself too seriously, but yikes…the ridiculous nature becomes tedious quickly. The film is revealed to be a romantic comedy with horror bits infused into the story. It focuses on the main couple for a predominant amount of the runtime, where the slasher elements are meant to be a side piece of the main plot. The killer is only given a handful of sequences throughout the movie, which could leave those going for the scares disappointed. I was hoping there would be a better balance of horror and comedy. But this time the killer is sidelined for the romance.
The tone was all over the place as well. Being that the film wants to appeal to both slasher and rom-com fans, the constant back and forth between the two becomes jarring. There is no consistency in the way the story was presented. There could have been a much better balance in tone if the script took itself more seriously and highlighted the mystery more. But the mystery of the Heart Eyes Killer was hardly part of the story. When the reveal happens towards the end of the film, it was both predictable and ridiculous. The motivation and final confrontation amps up the silliness even more, just about testing the rest of my patience. Unfortunately, “Heart Eyes” wastes the clever premise it sets up for an overly silly story and a lack of thrills.
Conclusion:
My first disappointing experience of 2025 comes at the blade of “Heart Eyes”. What could have combined clever holiday spirit with a new slasher icon wastes the potential it sets up. It ends up being a rom-com with some slasher elements sprinkled throughout the story. The mystery behind the killer never adds up to much, instead exploring the modern day interpretation of Valentine’s Day. This premise could have worked if the tone was more balanced. Some might find some fun with this one, but I don’t see “Heart Eyes” making its way into an iconic horror franchise. If they do decide to revive this broken heart, at least give us the thrills!
