Looking to shake up your traditional Valentine’s Day routine? Heart Eyes may be an attractive option for couples celebrating the holiday. Capitalizing on a popular trend, the slasher kicks off the horror movie lineup with a fresh twist. Although this year’s horror offering promises to be diverse, the film falls under the comedy horror genre. Furthermore, it masterfully blends romantic comedy and sinister elements.
Heart Eyes’ Fresh Approach to Horror
Heart Eyes was directed by John Ruben and penned by the talented trio of Phillip Murphy, Christopher Landon, and Michael Kennedy. Telling the story of a masked killer, the film turns a lighthearted rom-com into a thrilling slasher experience. The upcoming movie follows two young adults, played by Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding. While experiencing a chance encounter at a coffee shop, their budding romance is disrupted by a sinister presence.
As the special holiday approaches, couples are in danger with the two protagonists having to fight to survive the night. Heart Eyes offers a different approach to the slasher genre by blending fun, graphic scenes characteristic of the genre. Ultimately, the film aims to leave audiences on the edge of their seats by putting a fresh spin on the popular horror trend.
Heart Eyes Center Holiday-Themed Horror Genre
Heart Eyes is the latest addition to the holiday horror genre, which has thrilled slasher fans for decades. Typically, Halloween and Christmas dominate the holiday landscape with other celebrations relatively overlooked. Given Halloween’s spooky atmosphere and themes, the holiday’s association with horror is natural. On the other hand, Christmas is mainly associated with joy and togetherness, which seems unusual for horror releases.
Nonetheless, the contrast between the holiday’s wholesome image and horror’s darker elements makes Christmas horror films compelling among moviegoers. Moreover, filmmakers combined Christmas’ festive atmosphere with terror, creating a unique sub-genre. Due to the popularity of Christmas horror movies, audiences can enjoy alternatives to traditional holiday fare.
Valentine’s Day Horror Is Rare
Expanding the holiday horror genre, Heart Eyes also shines a spotlight on Valentine’s Day horror movies. While having some notable exceptions, Valentine’s Day has been underutilized for holiday horror films. For example, the 2016 anthology horror film, Holidays, has a Valentine’s Day-themed segment. Particularly, the story follows a bullied girl who has a crush on her compassionate coach.
The film showcases the potential for Valentine’s Day to serve as an unsettling atmosphere for horror. The holiday explores the unique themes associated with celebrating romance. To date, the 1981 slasher, My Bloody Valentine, and its 2009 remake are the most iconic Valentine’s Day horror films. Upon close examination, however, these films don’t truly embody the spirit of the February holiday, especially the remake. On the other hand, they highlight the negative effects of a relationship including stalking.
In contrast, the original movie uses a Valentine’s Day dance as the killer’s rampage. On the other hand, Heart Eyes seems more deeply rooted in the February holiday’s theme as it features a killer specifically targeting couples. Even with this approach feeling more connected to Valentine’s Day, it’s still unknown whether the horror film can fully capitalize on its Holiday-themed premise.
Heart Eyes Slashes Its Way to Theaters
As a veteran of the Scream franchise, Mason Gooding will face a new knife-wielding killer. In a newly released photo, the titular killer is shown with their face shrouded in darkness except for two glowing red hearts that replace their eyes. The image also exhibits a lit carousel in the background, which feels out of place with the killer’s menacing presence. Exuding an aura of danger, the Heart Eyes killer is armed with a large knife despite the seemingly festive red hearts. The romantic slasher film, Heart Eyes, will be released in theaters on February 7, 2025.
