Joey Magidson
I love a good romantic comedy. This is not news to any of you who read my stuff. It’s also no secret that I’m fond of quality horror. So, the concept of combining the two in a novel way really piqued my interest. At the same time, it goes without saying that a romantic comedy slasher film is not easy to pull off. As such, it’s a really high compliment on my part to say that Heart Eyes is just as good a rom-com as it is a slasher. The movie is a genre fan’s dream, full stop.
Heart Eyes knows that both genres need to be honored, or else neither will work in the flick. Watching it consistently play into the emotion, horror, and laughs with equal respect is a sight to behold. Getting half of it right would have led to a quality film. Instead, by going above and beyond, we have one of the best works of 2025 so far.
A savage and very funny opening sequence introduces us to our slasher. For the past few years, the “Heart Eyes Killer” has wreaked stalked and murdered couples on Valentine’s Day. This year, he has come to Seattle in search of fresh victims. While he’s begun his rampage, Ally (Olivia Holt) is worried that she’s about to lose her job. Dealing with her ex-boyfriend having moved on, she crafted a problematic ad campaign at work, one that’s being roasted online. In comes Jay (Mason Gooding), an advertising maven, to save the day. He takes an immediate liking to Ally, but it’s initially oil and water between them. At least, it’s that way until they have a light bonding session, which coincides with Heart Eyes choosing them as the next victims.
Now, Heart Eyes doesn’t know that Ally and Jay aren’t a couple, something they’re going to bring up often throughout the night. As they struggle to survive, they have to deal with a couple of detectives in Hobbs (Devon Sawa) and Shaw (Jordana Brewster) trying to figure out exactly who Heart Eyes is. Plus, they just might be falling in love. Through it all, we have lots of strong rom-com moments, some of which are laugh out loud funny, as well as no shortage of brutal kills. Truly, you get to have your genre cake and it eat it too here.
Mason Gooding and Olivia Holt are so good here, turning in iconic horror and romantic comedy performances. They have such strong chemistry together, leading you to root for them. Moreover, their comic timing is excellent, while they know the ins and outs of slasher films too, so they’re at ease no matter what the scene calls for. Jordana Brewster and Devon Sawa are a lot of fun, too, since they really embrace the type of movie that they’re in. Supporting players include Ben Black, Latham Gaines, Chris Parker, Michaela Watkins, Gigi Zumbado, and more, but it’s Gooding and Holt who are the stars.
Director Josh Ruben teams with writers Michael Kennedy, Christopher Landon, and Phillip Murphy to really showcase a deft handling of genres. Kennedy, Landon, and Ruben are horror veterans, and in fact, horror comedy vets, so seeing them add a romantic aspect to things is delightful. Ruben stages the kills splendidly and balances the laughs with the scares, sometimes even in the same scene. Likewise, Kennedy, Landon, and Murphy know exactly how far to take things, so you never forget any one aspect of the film. Heart Eyes does a lot right, and it’s the combination of the writing as well as the directing, that helps make it such a smooth ride.
Heart Eyes is a bloody delight that is destined to be a Valentine’s Day cult classic. It offers something for everyone during the upcoming romantic holiday. Truly, it deserves to become an annual watch during V-Day. Mark my words, this movie is going to have staying power. It’s too good not to. I loved it and I’m certain you will too!
SCORE: ★★★1/2
[…] 3. Heart Eyes […]