Heart Eyes was released in theaters on February 7th and follows the chaos caused by the Heart Eyes Killer, a serial killer that has been targeting couples on Valentine’s Day for the last several years. After the opening kill scene, those watching learn about the past attacks of the Heart Eyes Killer. The movie also follows the Valentine’s Day of Ally McCabe, the main protagonist.
Ally and her love interest, Jay, first take on escaping the Heart Eyes Killer, but then move to take them down. The film builds the plot by developing the two’s relationship while also developing them as targets.
It also pulls in comedy through both plot and characters, such as Ally’s best friend Monica. Audiences are kept engaged as the movie takes them from laughter to jumpscares, and jumpscares to playful romance.
Heart Eyes takes the classic aspects of a movie like Scream and combines it with modern references. From Tinder to cancel culture, the film uses these to keep viewers interested, almost introducing a ‘cringe’ factor. In the climax of the film, Ally and the Heart Eyes Killer engage in an almost banter-like conversation.“Well I didn’t know that murder was a love language,” said Ally. “Try it. Maybe you’ll like it,” said the Heart Eyes Killer.
The ‘cringe’ factor is combined with satirical horror to balance out the mood of the film. The comedic relief is well-timed alongside the gory scenes. Romance was a surprisingly large feature, as Ally and Jay form an unlikely connection while being pursued by the Heart Eyes Killer.
Heart Eyes is able to execute both the romantic and horror plotlines well individually, while also intertwining them. Every scary scene uses fear to strengthen the connection between Ally and Jay, creating a full-on romance by the end of the film.
Heart Eyes takes the foundation of classic horror and romcoms and combines them in a way that refreshes both genres, and sets up the film with the opportunity for enfranchisement.
