Heart Eyes (2025) Movie Review - Genuinely Great Rom-Com Slasher
Welcome to Knockout Horror. Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and, let’s be real for a second. It’s never the most generous occasion when it comes to fans of horror. With that in mind, what better way to spend the day than checking out a rom-com with a dark side? Josh Ruben’s brand new slasher, Heart Eyes, is here to offer you just that.
Heart Eyes follows the story of two co-workers who just so happen to get stuck together while working on the evening of Valentine’s day. Not only that, but there is a vicious serial killer on the loose who targets couples in love. The pair find themselves in a fight for survival after the killer mistakes them for a couple spending Valentine’s night together and pursues them through the city.
Before we start, if you are looking for answers regarding the plot of this movie. Why not check out our Heart Eyes Ending Explained article? Be warned, there are spoilers but there are none in this review so carry on reading if you haven’t yet watched the movie.
The Cupboard is, Almost, Bare
As mentioned earlier, when it comes to Valentine’s day, you will likely fall on one of the two distinctly different ends of the scale. You either hate it or love it. People don’t tend to sit somewhere in the middle when it comes to this subject.
If you are in a great relationship; you might really look forward to setting aside some time to celebrate the love you have with another person. If you are single, you might absolutely hate the overly saccharin, and rather exclusionary, nature of the day.
With that being said, what if you are all for Valentine’s day and love but don’t enjoy romance movies? What if, instead, you are a fan of horror and want a movie that sits somewhere in the middle? Well, to be perfectly honest, you are, almost, shit out of luck. The cupboard is pretty bare when it comes to romance themed horror.
There Are Options
There are options, though, and we have put together a few themed lists focusing on this subject. Just check out our Valentine’s Day Horror Series collection, for more of those. But there are very few actual romantic horror movies targeted at couples. Heart Eyes, however, is exactly that. It is slasher movie that plays out like a Rom-Com.
Now, I get it, that sounds pretty awful if you aren’t a fan of the rom-com subgenre. Hell, I am there with you. I absolutely despise romantic comedies. I am in a fantastic relationship, and we do tend to mark the occasion on Valentine’s day, but I cannot stand romance films. Despite this, I think that Heart Eyes does the slasher thing so well that it finds a perfect balance between the two disparate subjects.
The movie plays out, for the most part, as a 50/50 blend of the genres. It’s made abundantly clear that our antagonist, The Heart Eyes killer, is a ruthless villain and that the slasher elements will not be taking a back seat. But the romance and comedy aspects are front and centre, as well. The developing relationship of our protagonists plays a huge part in the story, equally as much as their fight for survival, in fact.
Works Incredibly Well
Everything here works in glorious, harmonious, balance. The comedy is pitch perfect thanks to a witty script and some brilliant comedic timing from actors Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding. As well as a fantastically over the top performance from Cellar Door’s Jordana Brewster. The kills come in at a decent clip and with no small amount of blood and guts. The action sequences are well paced and the movie does a nice job of keeping you guessing.
Nothing is sacrificed, here. Even the romantic elements are well done. With the relationship between Ally and Jay building gradually in much the same way as it would in any typical romantic comedy. Both protagonists are likable and both have their fair share of hilarious moments. As well as moments to take the spotlight and play the horror hero. This movie is, clearly, the work of someone who is a fan of both genres and knows how to make them work well together.
It is commendable that the romance elements really don’t get in the way of the horror, as well. Again, I am not a rom-com fan but I didn’t find myself constantly cringing. The romance is there but very subtle and well blended. The slasher elements are paramount to the movie’s story and take centre stage. Cat and mouse chases make for some seriously fun scenes and the many nods to horror classics and frequent winks to the camera add to the movie’s charm. Especially for seasoned horror fans.
It’s Going to be Divisive
With all of that being said, this is still a movie that is going to divide people, a little. There is so much going on here that it is impossible not to imagine some people feeling a bit overloaded. Some people hate comedy in their horror and the comedy here is very much at the heart of the movie. I can see some people not vibing with the romance elements and finding the integration of the sub-genres unnecessary and awkward. Others will, likely, feel as though the slasher stuff takes a back seat. I wouldn’t agree, but I can understand where they are coming from.
There are a couple of issues, here and there, as well. There are a few scenes that are a little drawn out and don’t really add anything to the film. Particularly during the first 15 minutes and towards the end. One later scene, in particular, feels like it is there purely to pad the romance elements and really seems a bit pointless, in the grand scheme of things. A late movie twist might disappoint a few people, as well. Though it is easy to see it coming some may find it unnecessary.
Still a Great Movie
In my opinion, however, these are minor issues. Heart Eyes does a lot right. Much of the comedy is legitimately hilarious. I really appreciated the somewhat tense, almost buddy cop like relationship between the main characters. Some of the kills are fantastic. There is buckets of gore and the slasher parts of the movie play out with a real genuine love for the genre.
The movie is, technically, great, as well. Acting is perfect, throughout. Mason Gooding and Olivia Holt are excellent and have great chemistry. Jordana Brewster is a laugh riot and hamming it up in the best way possible. And I absolutely loved Michaela Watkins’ brief stint as Ally’s sharp tongued boss, Crystal. Let’s not forget Final Destination’s Devon Sawa, as well. Still appearing in horror, practically, on the yearly.
Editing is a treat with the timing on both kills and comedy being perfect, throughout. A truly difficult task given the differing nature of the subjects. Ruben’s direction is excellent. Ruben achieves something quite impressive in making Heart Eyes feel like both a legitimately brilliant horror movie and a rom-com while sacrificing nothing from either genre.
Should You Watch Heart Eyes?
Heart Eyes is a fantastic movie that works both as a great slasher and an enjoyable rom-com. There’s, clearly, a lot of love for both subjects and the melding of the two genres works perfectly. Sure, there are a few issues and the movie is going to be divisive, just by its very nature. But I really enjoyed this film a lot and think it would make for the perfect date night movie. Awesome stuff.
