Heart Eyes

It’s a movie that understands the assignment.

Heart Eyes is a slasher movie first, and a gnarly one at that, with some imaginative, seat-shiftingly gruesome kills, and some particularly ominous set pieces.

The creatives’ obvious affinity for the genre comes through in every frame of the film, and to their credit Heart Eyes includes many clever touches.

Heart Eyes is a blast. It's often shriekingly funny while also being pretty disgusting (complimentary).

Heart Eyes isn’t nearly as clever as the best entries in that ongoing horror juggernaut. But it’s not without its pleasures, from the sincerity of the lead performances to the cartoonish gore offered by Werewolves Within director Josh Rubenn.

Director Josh Ruben gives romance and horror equal weight in this seamless fusion of genres, ensuring that the gore hits just as hard as the sizzling hot chemistry between leads Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding.

The opening sequence starts off bright and brutal, giving you a preview of the next 90 minutes of on-screen mania with an aura of the bubbly, naive teen cadence found in Legally Blonde and Clueless.

Director Josh Ruben leans into this style and knows the right execution for this rom-com meets slasher.

Heart Eyes leaves potential on the table, but it still slices and dices up some diverting entertainment.

While there have been body count movies about masked killers who spoil the romantic mood of this Hallmark holiday before, none have also been a worthwhile rom-com at the same time. Heart Eyes is a rare exception.