Heart Eyes (2025) is directed by Josh Ruben and stars Olivia Holt, Mason Gooding, Gigi Zumbado, Jordana Brewster, Devon Sawa, Ben Black, Michaela Watkins, David Van Horn, Yosan An, Vinnie Bennett, Dylan Thuraisingham, Molly Curnow, Lauren O’Hara, Latham Gaines, and Chris Parker. On Valentine’s, Ally (Holt), a young marketing executive struggling from a recent breakup is forced by her boss to team up with a hot-shot freelancer/fixer named Jay (Gooding) so the two can find a last-minute fix for Ally’s newest, problematic campaign. Even though Ally and Jay share strong romantic chemistry, they do their best to focus on their work. When it’s reported that a brutal serial killer named Heart Eyes has been spotted in the same city, the two believe they have nothing to worry about. Unfortunately, Heart Eyes mistakes the two as a couple and makes them his number one target. As the two are forced into a bloody pursuit across the greater Seattle area, sparks begin to fly when they least expect it. 

As two performers who’ve never particularly stood out in their past roles, I’m surprised at how well Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding carry this movie. Olivia Holt perfectly balances a character who is skeptical about love, but never comes across as cold. She hits all the right notes as a capable horror heroine but also a hopeless romantic who’s easy to root for. As for Mason Gooding, this is easily his best performance/role to date and effectively shows off his skills as an uncommonly charismatic lead. He’s basically a superior version of Chad, his character from both Scream (2022) & Scream 6 (2023). This role proves he’s the rare kind of actor who can deliver even the cheesiest of lines with an earnestness that is uncommonly convincing. The performances of the two leads balance each other perfectly – something that results in palpable romantic chemistry. 

The slasher elements could’ve easily distracted from the romance (and vice versa), but the script does a great job of balancing these two unlike genres. Instead of shifting between these tones from scene to scene, it blends them in a way that feels natural. For example, the script does a great job of showing how Ally and Jay fall in love through fighting/saving one another from Heart Eyes. They often prove themselves to each other through action and it works a lot better than I was expecting. Even so, the first act still provides the more traditional kind of dialogue-focused romance that viewers expect. It’s a great balance that should succeed in satisfying both slasher and romance fans alike. 

Along with this great balance of romance and horror, the film has a decently appealing sense of humor. A lot of these moments won’t make you laugh out loud, but that doesn’t quite seem to be the intention. In terms of providing the viewer with a consistent grin, it does its job perfectly. Going any further with the comedy would’ve only diminished the romance and horror. 

In the vein of slashers such as Scream (1996) and My Bloody Valentine (1981), Heart Eyes mostly comes across as a fun throwback. However, it still struggles with feeling a tad derivative in places – something that leads to a predictable climax/twist. If you’re a fan of the slasher genre like myself, you’ll have fun despite its predictability. Less devoted fans are sure to roll their eyes at the film’s genre quirks, but you can’t argue that they feel tonally out of place.

Overall, this was a big surprise and is easily one of the better Valentine’s Day-themed horror films in existence. It’s not particularly high-brow, but’s it a lot of fun and effectively blends two, unlike genres. It features great performances, creatively gruesome kills, effective romance, and a villain who’s sure to become an icon. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Heart Eyes is the perfect Valentine’s Day watch for all but the most squeamish of viewers. B