Changing Cinema Trends
The deadline for Valentine’s Day is arriving quickly and the event of the holiday brought films that portrayed love and emotions as love was the primary genre for the box-office success. In the past, people would queue up in front of the multiplexes only to be entertained by the stories of love and other related themes of love that depicted the feeling of the season. However, times have changed considerably, and this transformation has been influenced by shifts in audience tastes and broader industry trends. In fact, what was once a celebration of tender narratives has now become a period where conventional romcoms are noticeably scarce. As a result, the cinematic landscape during this time has taken on an entirely new dimension, marked by unexpected genre choices and innovative storytelling.
Since the onset of COVID and the subsequent streaming boom, traditional romantic comedies—indeed, comedies in general aside from a few action blockbusters and animated features for kids—have become rare sights in theaters. Additionally, audiences now have a broader array of choices, which has compelled studios to rethink which genres are both financially viable and artistically daring. Meanwhile, horror has staged a triumphant return, emerging as the only genre where studios, whether big or small, are willing to take significant creative risks. Consequently, the resurgence of horror has provided a refreshing alternative to the once-dominant romantic fare, setting the stage for unique cinematic experiments that blend elements of terror with unexpected humor.
Bold Genre Blending
In this shifting environment, Heart Eyes stands out as a film that successfully marries the thrill of a horror slasher with the charm of a classic romantic comedy. Specifically, this movie marks director Josh Ruben’s third foray into horror-comedy, and he manages to do justice to both genres simultaneously. On one side, Heart Eyes delivers a post-Kevin Williamson slasher experience that offers plenty of suspense and gore; on the other, it channels the essence of a post-Nora Ephron studio romcom that evokes the magic of earlier, beloved romantic tales. Moreover, although the finished recipe may appear to be little more than the sum of its parts, the scarcity of quality romantic comedies today makes this blended approach a welcome and even refreshing form of cinematic comfort food—even if it comes with a generous helping of blood.
At its core, Heart Eyes is essentially a creative mash-up of two very different movie pitches that are ingeniously woven together. Firstly, the film introduces a familiar slasher narrative: a masked killer embarks on a violent murder spree that specifically targets couples on Valentine’s Day. This well trodden premise immediately establishes a high stakes atmosphere and injects the movie with palpable tension and suspense. Simultaneously, the film explores another storyline that could have easily been headlined by iconic actors like Helen Hunt in the late 1990s or Julia Stiles in the mid-2000s. In this plotline, a jaded marketing executive, played by Olivia Holt, faces a major professional setback at work and finds herself forced to team up with a handsome, charming freelancer portrayed by Mason Gooding, who might have designs on her job.
Collision of Storylines
The narrative takes an exciting twist when these two seemingly unrelated plots unexpectedly collide. In a dramatic turn of events, the Heart Eyes Killer mistakenly identifies the two rivals as an actual couple, which forces them into a situation where they must flee for their lives together. This unexpected collision not only heightens the suspense but also propels the characters into a rapidly unfolding enemies-to-lovers romance that feels as if fate itself has intervened. Furthermore, as the pair are forced to navigate a dangerous landscape while dodging a relentless killer, their journey becomes a race against time that intertwines personal growth with thrilling action. In this way, Heart Eyes cleverly accelerates the romance while maintaining the pulse-pounding tension characteristic of a classic slasher film.
Ultimately, Heart Eyes serves as both a nod to established genre conventions and a bold step forward in the current film landscape. By intertwining the gore and suspense of a post-Kevin Williamson slasher with the quirky, heartfelt beats of a post-Nora Ephron romantic comedy, the movie manages to deliver a distinctive and engaging experience. Moreover, it stands as a testament to the creative risks studios are now willing to take, especially in a time when traditional romcoms have dwindled at the multiplex. The movie offers viewers unusual cinematic sensations that are both terrifying and thrilling, bringing a combination of two distant elements and therefore, a captivating and up-to-the-minute goodie audiences looking for some scares and a bit of love will appreciate.
Genre Mash-Up
Both genres are gently teased throughout the film, and yet, every now and then, Heart Eyes bursts with that unmistakable “parody movie trailer” flair. At the same time, the movie manages to capture the heartfelt sincerity expected of a true romantic comedy. In other words, while it pokes fun at both the slasher and romcom traditions, it also respects the spirit of each by delivering moments of genuine emotion and unexpected warmth. Consequently, viewers find themselves both laughing at the playful nods to genre clichés and feeling the sincere chemistry that breathes life into the story.
Furthermore, the pairing of Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding is a highlight in its own right, as their on-screen connection feels remarkably natural despite the clashing expectations of a blended genre tale. The romance that evolves between their characters is not forced; instead, it develops organically even while the film bombards them with over-the-top genre conventions. In addition, their interactions are laced with playful banter and subtle glances, which not only enhance their chemistry but also allow the audience to appreciate the deeper, more tender moments that emerge amid the chaos.
Moreover, Mason Gooding’s performance is a study in contrasts. He effortlessly nails the non-threatening hunk vibe that fans of classic, turn-of-the-century romcoms have come to love, while simultaneously injecting his character with an unexpected dose of Seinfeldian quirk. Yes, it is indeed unusual to hear a character influenced by the dry humor of Jerry Seinfeld, who was never exactly cast as a romantic lead; however, this odd ingredient adds an intriguing layer to his persona. Therefore, Gooding’s performance becomes both a nod to tradition and a breath of fresh air, enhancing the film’s overall appeal with its unique, offbeat twist.
Familiar Yet Fresh
At the same time, both Holt’s character Ally and Gooding’s character Jay might appear somewhat formulaic on paper, as the movie intentionally leans into genre send-ups. However, despite their seemingly cookie-cutter beginnings, the performances breathe unexpected life into these roles. In effect, what might have been predictable character sketches are transformed through nuanced acting and palpable on-screen rapport, ensuring that even the most conventional elements feel engaging and dynamic. Consequently, audiences are treated to performances that feel both familiar and refreshingly inventive.
In addition, the film’s humor reaches new heights with gags that are bolder and more outrageous than those typically found in standard romantic comedies like “My Best Friend’s Wedding”. The jokes here are not only louder and more physical—they also incorporate a surprising amount of visceral imagery, including plenty of brain and bone fragments. As a result, the movie shifts its tone at times, embracing a level of slapstick that pushes the physical boundaries well beyond what a typical romcom would allow. This deliberate exaggeration serves to heighten the comic tension and keep viewers thoroughly entertained.
Furthermore, Heart Eyes takes familiar romcom structures such as the meet-cute and the classic midpoint misunderstanding and reimagines them with an added layer of physical comedy and absurdity. The film does not simply follow traditional templates; instead, it revamps these narrative elements with an energetic twist that infuses each scene with unexpected humor and excitement. As the plot unfolds, these well-worn tropes are given new life through inventive staging and clever physical antics, which not only surprise the audience but also elevate the overall storytelling experience.
Exaggerated Roles
Moreover, several stock characters from both genres are amped up to near cartoonish levels, creating moments of delightful absurdity. For example, the role of Ally’s sinister boss is so extravagantly portrayed by Michaela Watkins that she practically steals every scene she’s in. Similarly, a macho police detective, played by Devon Sawa, is presented with a tongue-in-cheek bravado that borders on the caricatured. These heightened characters serve as vivid contrasts to the more grounded leads, and in doing so, they enrich the film’s overall texture by adding layers of humor and satire that resonate well with the audience.
Finally, by surrounding the more realistic and relatable characters like Ally, Jay, and even Jordana Brewster’s Detective Shaw with these broad, almost cartoonish figures, the movie creates a striking sense of contrast. This clever juxtaposition not only makes the grounded characters appear more authentic and relatable but also reinforces the film’s dual nature as both a loving homage to and a playful critique of its genres. Further, when Jordana Brewster, more familiar for her tough personality in Fast & Furious movies, makes use of her hilarious timing and enchantment, she executes a turnaround to her own image which demonstrates that even very well established stars could see this matter in a different light. At the end of the day, Heart Eyes is a movie that connect more with people; a movie that skillfully balances parody with genuine heart.
Bold Kills
Comedy slashers enjoy the freedom to push the envelope, and in Heart Eyes, director Josh Ruben seizes every opportunity to go bigger and nastier with his kill scenes. For instance, he designs elaborate and ironic death sequences that remind viewers of the vivid imagination associated with a Jason Vorhees-style approach. Furthermore, these kills are crafted with a deliberate mix of humor and shock value, ensuring that each death is both surprising and darkly inventive. Moreover, Ruben’s creative vision transforms typical slasher moments into grand, cinematic events that are as entertaining as they are gruesome, keeping the audience on their toes throughout the film.
Simultaneously, the film introduces the Heart Eyes Killer (HEK), who is never portrayed as an unstoppable supernatural force. Instead, HEK fits more into the Ghostface tradition, where he is a mere mortal who takes his fair share of hits rather than being invincible. Additionally, what makes HEK stand out from other slasher villains is his unmistakable Batman villain vibe, complete with a variety of high-tech gadgets and an action figure-ready costume design. In contrast to a lazy Michael Myers homage that could have easily been used, Ruben opts for a distinctive look that is both cool and memorable. Consequently, this unique design not only enriches the character but also promises to inspire enthusiastic cosplay at upcoming horror conventions, especially as strong horror films continue to make their mark.
Romcom Resonance
Moreover, Heart Eyes impresses more as a romantic comedy than as a pure slasher movie, and this balance is achieved through its clever blending of genres. While the film may not be breaking entirely new ground in either category, its playful take on the classic romcom formula—one that has been largely absent from theaters for some time—offers a welcome change of pace. In this respect, the movie manages to capture the charm of a traditional romantic comedy while still delivering the thrills and shocks expected from a slasher. Additionally, as the film unfolds, its quirky approach to familiar romcom tropes provides both a sense of nostalgia and a refreshing update, ensuring that even if it eventually slips from the list of 2025’s top horror flicks by spring, it might still be celebrated as one of the best contemporary romcoms of the year.
