Carl Roberts 
“Violent, gory, but with a hell of a lot of humour involved, Heart Eyes is a complete surprise. And a great film for Valentine’s Day screams!”
Back in 1981, Paramount Pictures gave us the slasher movie My Bloody Valentine. A low-budget Canadian horror movie, the film was actually miles better than its premise. It was certainly one of the better slasher films that ripped off the formula of John Carpenter’s original Halloween. Fast forward twenty-eight years, and we got the remake, My Bloody Valentine 3-D. The remake updated the original film but with better visual effects, more gore and a surprise twist ending. It was pretty good for a horror movie and was a box-office success. It showed that a Valentine’s Day slasher film would certainly pull in the crowds.
Now, we come to Valentine’s Day 2025 and the new horror movie Heart Eyes. I say horror movie but the film is much more than that. Anyone going into the film expecting a splatter fest will get their fill with what’s on offer. But they will also get a film that has its tongue firmly in its cheek and is surprisingly self-aware and often hilarious. It takes a simple premise of a masked killer murdering couples on Valentine’s Day and turns it into something that will surprise everyone who sees it. It also happens to be one of the best entries into the genre for a long time.
PREMISE
When the “Heart Eyes Killer” strikes Seattle, a pair of co-workers pulling overtime on Valentine’s Day are mistaken for a couple by the elusive couple-hunting killer. Now, they must spend the most romantic night of the year running for their lives.
THOUGHTS
I won’t delve too deeply into what the film contains as it would spoil the fun for everyone. But let’s just say that many of the standard horror movie tropes are here but are completely turned on their heads, many times to a brilliantly comic effect. While there are genuinely a few jump scares, the film isn’t as frightening as you’d expect. Of course, the blood flows freely, and people die in many nasty ways. But the deaths also raise some genuine laughs along the way. I can’t remember the last time I went to see a horror movie that surprised me so much and gave me so much fun to enjoy as the film does.
One thing that does let the film down slightly is the feeling around halfway that you know who the killer will turn out to be. This also gets turned on its head by the climax, but it isn’t much of a surprise. But even this detail gets to be made fun of at the three-quarters point with a joke that is one of the best in the film. It is something that you’d never expect but have waited to hear in a slasher movie for a long time. Kudos to the scriptwriters Phillip Murphy, Christopher Landon and Michael Kennedy for finally adding this joke into a slasher flick. To say it had me roaring with laughter would be an understatement.
OLIVIA HOLT AND MASON GOODING
Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding feature in almost every scene in the movie, bar the opening sequence. And they, as a pairing, are quite simply superb. Olivia Holt brings a brilliant sense of humor to go alongside the frights her character of Ally suffers. The actress grasps our attention from the moment we first meet her and never lets go until after the end credits (there is a mid-credits scene, just so you’re aware.) Ally has recently broken up with her boyfriend and is in danger of being fired from her job as a pitch designer for a jewelry company after creating an ad featuring doomed couples for Valentine’s Day. Before the big meeting, she bumps into (and almost seriously injures) Mason Gooding’s character of Jay Simmons, a famed designer.
After being seen and mistaken for a couple by Heart Eyes, the race is on to evade the killer. And their murderous intentions for the rest of the film. This does include one scene where we know what will happen, which it does. But it gives us a scare as well as one of the best laugh-out-loud moments in the film. Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding make for a brilliant on-screen pairing throughout. Sometimes, Gooding comes across as arrogant and annoying, but these are fleeting moments. The actor gives a terrific performance as Jay, all charm, sophistication, and suave as he is thrown into a situation he isn’t equipped to cope with in reality.
A BRILLIANT PAIRING
The difference in the two characters actually suits the film and its premise. One by themselves feels like they only stand a small chance of surviving the film. But together, they form a whole, a pairing that will be able to withstand all that’s thrown at them. In some cases, literally. Both have their flaws, but both also have their strengths, and they will need each other to survive what’s coming for them. Olivia Holt shows she has the acting prowess to play any role asked of her. Tough and strong one minute, a scream queen the next, followed by some brilliant comedic timing. The same goes for Mason Gooding. We already knew what he could do after appearing in the last two Scream movies. Both here give A-list performances, ones that sizzle with on-screen chemistry.
THE SUPPORTING CAST
The supporting cast all play their roles well, even if they are used sparingly. The one who gets the best lines and becomes a firm favorite is Gigi Zumbado as Monica. Not only is she Ally’s best friend, but she is also her fashion guru, her conscience, and her backup. The actress becomes a vital part of the film in its early stages, and once she leaves proceedings, we find ourselves missing her. We are pleased to see her return towards the finale of the film as Gigi Zumbado gives a brilliantly hilarious performance.
With the further additions of Devon Sawa as Detective Zeke Hobbs and Jordana Brewster as Detective Jeanette Shaw (Hobbs & Shaw, and yes, they couldn’t pass up making a joke about it!), the film gets two characters that make the film that much better. The pairing of the two actors works wonders. Both play off each other to perfection. Both have us laughing out loud at times, but both come into their own when confronted by Heart Eyes around the midway point. With a few running gags between them and some wonderful byplay, the pairing works well, making them welcome supporting characters.
THE SCREENPLAY
The screenplay by Phillip Murphy, Christopher Landon (who also produces), and Michael Kennedy knows exactly what its doing, where it wants to go and how to engage with the audience. Despite a few hiccups along the way, the trio have created something that is more than worthy of being called great entertainment. They take what every slasher film contains, mix it up into a totally original blend and deliver a tasty treat for the audience. Everything you’d expect in a film like this is turned upside down or played out with frights. Gore and some hilarious scenes to create something highly enjoyable. Even the quieter moments are peppered with good-natured banter and jokes that almost all land. The romance aspects are utilized well, making the film a horror rom-com that transcends the medium.
THE DIRECTION
Josh Ruben’s direction is solidly assured. After his efforts with the comedy horror films Scare Me and Werewolves Within, the filmmakers hired the perfect man for the job of helmng the movie. Ruben is on safe, firm ground here. He knows how to frame the actors, direct the action and elicit the perfect responses from the audience. He presents the film in an almost perfect way. Of course, he’s going to have some scenes that use the darkness to its advantage. But in the same way, during the fairground and drive-in movie scenes and later at the climax, his use of colours fit the film and the medium excellently. Ruben is a director to keep an eye on as he is destined to go far, based on his work here.
VERDICT
Violent, gory, but with a hell of a lot of humour involved, Heart Eyes is a complete surprise. And a great film for Valentine’s Day screams! Your date, one minute, will be clinging to your arm as the frights and gore come. The next, they will be howling with laughter. And to make things even better, it is a two-way street. Both partners will be either screaming or laughing at what occurs during the film. It is the perfect antidote to all that sugary schmaltz that we usually get for Valentine’s weekend. It is something that is sexy, smart, scary and funny, all in equal measure. This is a mix that we find ourselves wanting more of as soon as the movie ends.
Will there or can there be a sequel to the film? What do you think? Of course, there can. And I, for one, hope there is one. I loved my time in the company of Heart Eyes and the entire cast. For a horror fan, it is a palette cleanser as well as delivering their fix of blood, violence and gore. For the non-horror fan, take a deep breath and go and see the movie anyway or you’ll be missing out on a great night out and a wonderful surprise.
In every sense of the word, you’ll have a wonderful night out with the film. Well crafted, ironic and with its tongue firmly embedded in its cheek, this is a highly entertaining movie. Heart Eyes may be a serial killer, but during the screening, I fell in love with the psychopath. As I did with the film. I loved it!
Heart Eyes is in cinemas from Friday, courtesy of Paramount Pictures.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
