'Heart Eyes,' the latest in the romantic comedy horror genre directed by Josh Ruben, beautifully marries mortal terror with mortal love. Like an inverse to the traditional “meet cute” found in rom-coms, this movie delivers its humor and terror hand in hand with 'die cute' scenes. Expect spears through eyeballs and crushed skulls, all part of the dishes being served to an audience eager for slaughter on screen, reminiscent of yesteryears' movie musicals' spectacle.
Drawing from the heyday of slasher films in the 80s, 'Heart Eyes' works as an homage and parody of its predecessors, much like the Scream franchise. Adding a touch of holiday horror, the story transpires on Valentine’s Day, bringing to mind 'My Bloody Valentine.'
The plot involves an annual Valentine's Day murder spree conducted in different cities by a mask-wearing killer with heart-shaped eyes, aptly named the "Heart Eyes Killer," or "HEK." The HEK's victims are always couples, hinting at a possibly jaded romantic history. The film focuses on two non-romantic leads, Ally and Jay, who find themselves on the HEK's radar and trying to survive.
The film sizzles with inventively horrific scenes and suspense. But, the script's familiarity may make it predictable, notwithstanding a notable twist involving the killer's identity reveal and his subsequent revival. Whether or not this clever twist can genuinely reinvigorate the slasher film narrative is up to the audience. Despite its predictable elements, 'Heart Eyes' remains a theatrical bloodbath for horror enthusiasts with a soft spot for romance.
