The upcoming horror comedy, Heart Eyes, directed by Josh Ruben and featuring performances from Mason Gooding and Olivia Holt, has quickly garnered acclaim as a standout entry for 2025. The film’s plot revolves around two colleagues unexpectedly pursued by a killer, famed for targeting couples during Valentine’s Day. Mistaken for a couple themselves, they must navigate a night of terror, prompting them to uncover romantic sparks they didn’t anticipate.
Typically, horror comedies struggle to win over critics due to a lack of genuine humor or effective scares. However, early reviews for Heart Eyes have been extraordinarily positive, as evidenced by its impressive scores on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes. The film will make its theatrical debut on February 7th, and if the critical reception is to be believed, it may very well emerge as one of the premier slasher films set on Valentine’s Day.
8 Heart Eyes: A Self-Aware Masterpiece
Meta Without Gimmicks
Critics laud Heart Eyes for its clever self-awareness—embracing its absurd premise of parodying both romantic comedies and slasher films. The film’s killer dons a chilling mask resembling the “heart eyes”emoji, a humorous touch that sets the tone for its meta narrative. Drawing inspiration from franchises like Scream, Heart Eyes thrives on poking fun at both genre conventions.
|
Heart Eyes – Key Details |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Release Date |
Director |
Runtime |
Budget |
RT Tomatometer Score |
Metacritic Score |
|
February 7th, 2025 |
Josh Ruben |
97 minutes |
$18 million |
90% |
61 |
7 Heart Eyes: A Satirical Take on Romance
Boldly Subverting Romantic Tropes
Set against the backdrop of Valentine’s Day, Heart Eyes utilizes its unique premise to mock the clichés of romantic comedies. Right from its intense opening, the film critiques the formulaic interactions typically found in the genre, portraying how real individuals would react in such a terrifying scenario. This authenticity not only enriches the comedic elements but also elevates the romance that unfolds, provided via the genuine chemistry between the two lead characters.
6 Balancing Horror and Romance
Mastering Both Genres
While both rom-coms and horror films have often faced critical scrutiny, Heart Eyes manages to excellently merge the two genres. Its clever take on both forms enables it to stand out without falling into the tedious tropes associated with each. This meta approach permits the film to critique the very clichés it employs, making it a refreshing experience for audiences.
5 A Gory Feast
Blood and Gore Throughout
Critics praise Heart Eyes for maintaining its slasher roots while blending romance and humor. Unlike many horror comedies where gore is often secondary, the film revels in its graphic depictions of violence. Reviewers commend the inventive nature of the kills, likening the film’s killer to contemporary icons such as Art the Clown from Terrifier and John Carver from Thanksgiving.
4 A Sharp and Engaging Script
Clever Twists and Pacing
Unlike many slasher flicks that sacrifice narrative coherence for scares, Heart Eyes is noted for its witty and engaging script. The film does not fall into the trap of predictability, instead offering twists that maintain audience interest and investment in its characters as the tension escalates. Though the narrative requires some exposition, it does so in a manner that feels earned, especially as it leads into the film’s climactic moments.
3 Genuine Humor Abounds
A Balance of Horror and Comedy
Many horror comedies fail to strike a harmonious balance between humor and horror, but Heart Eyes succeeds in keeping audiences laughing amidst the terror. The film features a variety of situational comedy and clever one-liners that maintain a light-hearted atmosphere without detracting from the horror elements. The director, Josh Ruben, is skilled in crafting humor, as seen in his previous film Werewolves Within, and this expertise shines through.
2 Embracing Creative Kills
Holiday-Themed Creativity
As a holiday-themed slasher, Heart Eyes fully leverages its unique setting to deliver imaginative killings. Reviewers have praised the creativity demonstrated in the film’s deaths, which aligns with an emerging trend of innovative killings in holiday horror films over recent years. Following the success of titles like Thanksgiving and Terrifier 3, Heart Eyes continues this legacy with flair.
1 Exceptional On-Screen Chemistry
The Romance of Gooding and Holt
One of the standout features of Heart Eyes is undoubtedly the undeniable chemistry between its leads, Mason Gooding and Olivia Holt. Gooding, son of Cuba Gooding Jr., is no stranger to the horror genre, having played Chad Meeks-Martin in the Scream series. Meanwhile, Holt shines as a talented actress best known for her role as the superhero Dagger in the Marvel series Cloak and Dagger.
The duo convincingly develops a romantic connection while evading a relentless slasher. Their performance, particularly their charm and vulnerability, brings depth to their character dynamics, creating a pleasant balance of humor and genuine affection amidst the chaos.
Source: Rotten Tomatoes
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