'Heart Eyes' Puts the Killer in Romance
Heart Eyes, the latest romantic comedy horror directed by Josh Ruben, proves just how torturous love can be.
The film, which premiered February 7, follows 'HEK', aka, 'Heart Eyes Killer' - a masked madman on a murderous rampage to do what it always does every Valentine's Day: kill couples. Only this time, a "non"-couple teams up to give HEK a run for its money.
I don't know if I've been living under a rock or what, but I went into the film blindly, not having even seen the trailer, and left the movie theatre thoroughly satisfied.
Heart Eyes is the perfect blend of romance, comedy, horror, and nostalgia - a superb love letter to slasher and parody films of yesteryear.
Written by Phillip Murphy (Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard, 2021), Michael Kennedy (Time Cut, 2024), and written and produced by Christopher Landon (Disturbia, 2007, the Paranormal Activity series, and Freaky, 2020), Heart Eyes leaves audiences on the farthest edge of their seat from the very first scene to the very last.
After the opening scene, my interest was piqued because I genuinely wondered where the writers could possibly take the plot for the remaining hour and a half. But by the time Jay Simmonds (played by Mason Gooding) and Ally McCabe (played by Olivia Holt) meet, the twists and turns unfold so seamlessly, they do not leave any room for audiences to predict what happens next.
Ruben, formerly of CollegeHumor (now Dropout), does an excellent job of setting the film's tone as a nod to classics such as the Halloween franchise, Scream (1996), I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), and probably the biggest nod of all, Final Destination (2000), both through forms of torture and in that of Detective Zeke Hobbs who is portrayed by the film's star Devon Sawa.
Also adding her own formula of rom-com-horror to the film's mix is Hobbs' partner, Detective Jeanette Shaw, played by star of the Fast and Furious franchise Jordana Brewster.
Although immediately presented as a slasher film, which, by the way, was executed perfectly, at the heart is the plot of a solid rom-com that's supported through moments of hilarious dialogue and storylines of different types of love and relationships, all while keeping hearts racing. Fans may even find themselves rooting for a different type of character than they're used to.
The chemistry between Holt (Kickin' It, 2011 and Cruel Summer, 2021) and Gooding (Love, Victor 2020 and Electric Easy 2021) makes the romantic element of this romance-comedy-horror even more believable and enjoyable to watch, particulary as this is my first time seeing Gooding (son of fellow actor Cuba Gooding Jr.) on screen. It's clear talent runs in the family.
Either way, the cast and crew, which also includes Michaela Watkins (Casual, 2015 and The Unicorn, 2019) Gigi Zumbado (Bridge and Tunnel, 2021), Lauren O'Hara (Safe Trip, 2007), Alex Walker (One Lane Bridge, 2020), Yoson An (Mulan, 2020) Latham Gaines (Power Rangers DinoThunder, 2004), and more, do a phenomenal job of making audiences experience all the feels, sometimes all at once, while believing in the throes of love.
Heart Eyes is refreshingly good!
