**A Gruesome Valentine: *Heart Eyes* Merges Romantic Comedy Delight with Slasher Excitement**

Equally likely to elicit an “aww” and a cringe, *Heart Eyes* serves as an ode to both rom-coms and horror flicks, melding the quirks of these seemingly conflicting genres. Directed by Josh Ruben (*Werewolves Within*, *Scare Me*), the film is as sentimental as it is bloody, providing the sweet clichés of a traditional romance alongside a substantial dose of blood-drenched chaos. While it’s uncertain how many viewers find themselves in the intersection of this rom-com/horror diagram (aside from me), *Heart Eyes* presents an outrageously entertaining adventure for those who appreciate a twisted love narrative teamed with dark comedy and slasher excitement.

Although it doesn’t pioneer new territory in either genre, *Heart Eyes* pays tribute to romantic comedies overall, making references to contemporary classics in a clever monologue and alluding to Golden Age cinema with scenes from *His Girl Friday* playing in the background. Its horror inspirations, on the other hand, are more pronounced. Heavily borrowing from *My Bloody Valentine* in its storyline, the film also has substantial ties to *Scream*—not just in its atmosphere but also in the casting of Mason Gooding, who starred in the *Scream* reboot and *Scream VI*.

### *Heart Eyes*: Love Intersects with Slasher Slaughters

Gooding plays Jay, an engaging marketing professional who encounters Ally (Olivia Holt, *Cloak & Dagger*) in a coffee shop, where they connect over their mutual admiration for convoluted coffee orders. Their meet-cute takes an unexpected twist when they collide, only for Ally to learn that Jay is the freelancer brought in to save her faltering jewelry ad campaign. The campaign, which has a death-themed motif, faced criticism online for its inappropriateness—especially as Valentine’s Day approaches, and the Heart Eyes Killer has been stalking couples for three consecutive years.

With her career at stake, Ally must develop a new campaign under the direction of her boss (Michaela Watkins, *You Hurt My Feelings*, sporting a wonderfully perplexing Southern accent). Jay proposes a working dinner at a top Seattle restaurant on Valentine’s evening, but their night veers into darkness when they capture the attention of the Heart Eyes Killer. As the masked fiend leaves a path of destruction throughout the city, Ally and Jay—who adamantly declare they are not on a date—find themselves growing closer while attempting to survive the night.

### An Adorable Couple with Superficial Characters

Gooding and Holt exhibit undeniable chemistry, making them an enjoyable pair on-screen. However, their characters lack substance. Ally is a love cynic who detests paper straws (too mushy), while Jay is a tender-hearted romantic concealed behind a movie-star physique. Both characters’ pasts involve trauma, yet the script doesn’t delve much deeper than these superficial features. The storyline is likewise predictable, following the known patterns of both rom-coms and horror films. Even the identity of the killer is easily surmountable if you’re observant—though the film playfully underscores a critical hint with a punny gag.

In spite of these flaws, *Heart Eyes* is a riot. It’s side-splittingly funny and wonderfully grotesque, featuring inventive kills that test the limits of its R rating. While the red-band trailer reveals one of the more imaginative death scenes, there are still many surprises awaiting. The film isn’t particularly terrifying, aside from a few jump scares, but it delights in its exaggerated violence and gore, offering a satisfyingly brutal experience.

### A *Scream*-Inspired Romantic Comedy with a Dark Twist

*Heart Eyes* embraces its inspirations, channeling the self-referential humor and slasher conventions of the *Scream* series. The cast even includes horror stalwarts Devon Sawa (*Final Destination*) and Jordana Brewster (*The Faculty*), solidifying its affiliation with the genre. The film also shares a lively spirit with *Happy Death Day* and *Freaky*, given that its screenplay was co-written by *Happy Death Day*’s Christopher Landon and *Freaky*’s Michael Kennedy, along with Phillip Murphy (*Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard*). While it may not achieve the brilliance of *Happy Death Day* (few films do), it is a notch above *Freaky*, delivering a joyous blend of romance and mayhem.

From the very first notes of Lonestar’s “Amazed” in the initial kill sequence, *Heart Eyes* establishes the atmosphere for its darkly humorous tone. The soundtrack and audio design are highlights, with songs like Outkast’s “Happy Valentine’s Day” and David Gray’s “This