"Heart Eyes," directed by Josh Ruben, was recently released in theaters. It is a horror Valentine’s Day film starring Olivia Holt as Ally and Mason Gooding as Jay. The two are determined to stay alive together while running from the serial killer. The film is full of horror and suspense. This movie was rated R due to language and violence.
"Heart Eyes" follows this masked serial killer who has glowing red eyes and is determined to murder couples every Valentine’s Day. Ally, an ad executive, goes on this terrifying adventure with her colleague, Jay. They become targets because they go on a work date that turns into a kiss, which the masked killer sees and aims to kill Ally and Jay.
Highs
The plot of this film can be intriguing for the audience because it is different than other horror films. This is specifically about a masked killer who wants to murder couples on Valentine’s Day. It is a mixture of rom-com and horror and has humorous moments. This romance slasher keeps the audience in suspense, trying to guess the killer.
The connection between the characters Ally and Jay is undeniable. Their chemistry was weak at the beginning, but their characters grew closer. This chemistry enhances the romantic appeal of the film to the audience. Their banter is playful and has tension, a lighter aspect of the film. The balance of romance and horror is done well throughout the film, unlike in a typical horror film.
The costume of the killer or "Heart Eyes" is scary and unique. It features glowing red eyes, shaped like hearts, which enhances its appeal.
Ally's character development is also well done. She is an insecure and angry girl who doesn’t believe in love until a serial killer chases her.
Lows
The film's plot was more predictable, considering how Ally and Jay kissed initially. This shows that the characters will end up together after a life-or-death situation. The other low is the absurd gore; the violence was extermely exaggerated. There were scenes in which it was too much and disturbing at a certain point.
The last low point is that Jay’s character lacked depth; his background story was missing. This aspect can be critical to character development and the audience's understanding of the character. The ending was also confusing and did not add up regarding the story. The killer’s motive was unclear.
Verdict
"Heart Eyes" is a funny horror film for Valentine’s Day that could be worth watching if one enjoys dark humor. It is full of gore and disturbing moments throughout.
Rating: 6.5 out of 10
Mariam Fakhreddine is a film and theater reviewer for The Eastern Echo. She has worked as a news and features reporter for The Echo for two years.
