
Mason Gooding, known for his role as Chad Meeks-Martin in the iconic Scream franchise, recently offered compelling insights into the distinctions between the antagonist he faces in Heart Eyes and the infamous Ghostface. Gooding has portrayed Chad in two previous Scream films and is set to return for the highly anticipated Scream 7. However, before he confronts Ghostface again, he will take center stage in Heart Eyes, a horror film directed by Josh Ruben that centers around a notorious Valentine’s Day murderer known as the Heart Eyes Killer, targeting unsuspecting couples.
In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Gooding elaborated on the key contrasts between Ghostface from Scream and the Heart Eyes Killer. He noted that a significant aspect of Ghostface’s terror stems from the realization that the killer could easily be someone from the victims’ personal lives, creating an intimate form of fear. Conversely, the Heart Eyes Killer embodies a more brutal presence, relying less on identity and more on an array of violent weaponry described as “medieval.”Below, discover Gooding’s full remarks regarding how the two killers differ, along with his advice for surviving encounters with such slasher movie villains:
It’s funny because HEK has such a brutality to [them] that seems as if it’s hard to track the motive or the understanding of why these things take place, which allows for a level of horror that I think is alternative to Scream’s meticulous, methodical, more domesticated style of horror. Hack’s arsenal is also pretty f–king medieval with a crossbow. Trauma flashbacks.
But with Ghostface, I think the allure of that character is that it could be anybody, specifically people in your neighborhood and the people that you grew up with. That’s what drives that terror. With HEK, regardless of who it is, the threat is so imminent and insurmountable that it feels like, if Heart Eyes were written under any other circumstances and followed one person? That person’s getting folded like a f–king lawn chair.
But my trick for surviving them apparently is just a lot of sit-ups because Chad’s been stabbed [so many] times in the stomach and walked away that it’s got to be something from a physical fitness standpoint. Maybe he’s just an immortal deity, I don’t know. It could be that.
What Gooding’s Comparison Signifies for Heart Eyes
Can The Heart Eyes Killer Stand Out?
Since its debut in 1996, the Scream franchise has released five sequels and continues to captivate audiences. The 2023 installment, Scream 6, received favorable reviews and enjoyed commercial success, highlighting the franchise’s lasting allure, particularly that of Ghostface. The killer’s distinctive look, sinister voice, and crafty strategies contribute to the franchise’s popularity, alongside the ongoing mystery surrounding the identity of different Ghostface actors across films.
Our View on Heart Eyes Killer vs. Ghostface
The Heart Eyes Killer Could Prove More Menacing

Ghostface has solidified a place as one of the most memorable villains in slasher cinema, characterized by a menacing yet somewhat clumsy demeanor that adds realism to the horror. His habit of stumbling or tripping while pursuing victims enhances his relatable quality and contributes to the Scream films’ dark humor.
As Ghostface prepares to return in Scream 7, slated for February 27, 2026, it remains to be seen whether Heart Eyes will embrace a similar wit. However, the film aims to distinguish itself through its unique combination of weaponry and sheer brutality. As such, the Heart Eyes Killer may present a formidable challenge for Gooding’s character, transforming Heart Eyes into an enticing addition to the horror genre.
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