Look Into My Heart Eyes

In the original Scream, Randy Meeks (Jaime Kennedy) started breaking down the rules of horror movies while being in a horror movie and that changed things for the genre. I am not saying that there was no humor in horror movies before but horror movies started becoming more self-aware after this moment. The characters in Heart Eyes are just that: self-aware. They know what the motive of the Heart Eyes Killer is and throughout the movie they try to reason with the killer in a way that is not only hilarious but also frightening. 

In Heart Eyes, we are introduced to a killer known as the Heart Eyes Killer, AKA HEK, that kills couples on Valentine’s Day. The movie starts off by showing us a newly engaged couple being hunted down by the killer. This leads to a series of news clips showing how the Heart Eyes Killer has been terrorizing couples throughout the country for years. The killer is now in Seattle and this is where we meet our two leads, Ally (Olivia Holt) and Josh (Mason Gooding). The two meet at a coffee shop and the audience can see that the chemistry is instant. Unfortunately, Ally does not see it right away.

Ally and Josh looking down
Courtesy of Sony Pictures

Through a series of events, the two end up having a work dinner together and end up becoming the target of the Heart Eyes Killer. During this chase is where the comedy and horror combine. Since the killer only kills couples, the two are constantly yelling that they are not a couple and for the killer to leave them alone. You would think that after a few times this joke would get old but it is in the instances when they are used that make it hilarious. Now while the movie does make you laugh it also makes you fear for your life.

Heart Eyes does not shy away from showing the brutality of the murders. We are shown the aftermath of the bodies and what the Heart Eyes Killer does to the people they kill. There is a gruesome shot in the trailer of being able to look through the mouth and onto the other side of her head and this is the level of gore throughout the movie. Even the final battle between Ally and Josh we see the carnage that is left behind by the Heart Eyes Killer.  

Heart Eyes Killer standing in front of a carousel
Courtesy of Sony Pictures

Final Thoughts: Heart Eyes is a fantastic comedy/horror movie. The two leads have great chemistry that the audience becomes invested in seeing what will happen next. The kills are brutal but yet, entertaining. This is one of those movies that should be a shared experience with an audience. Heart Eyes is a scary good time!

Kid-Friendly: The film is rated R and there are a lot of elements that are not for younger kids. From the kills to a couple being intimate in a van this movie is not for anyone under 17. There is a scene where there are flashing lights that goes on for a few minutes and it might be triggering for some people. 

Violence: The movie deals with a killer that kills couples on Valentines Day and does get pretty violent. There is a scene where the killer is killing multiple people on the screen and it’s not pretty. There is a beheading scene that plays out a little long that might not be for the squemish. 

For the past several years, the “Heart Eyes Killer” has wreaked havoc on Valentine’s Day by stalking and murdering romantic couples. This Valentine’s Day, no couple is safe…