Olivia Holt
Ally McCabe
Overview
When the "Heart Eyes Killer" strikes Seattle, a pair of co-workers pulling overtime on Valentine's Day are mistaken for a couple by the elusive couple-hunting killer. Now, they must spend the most romantic night of the year running for their lives.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
4 min readLove in the Time of the Heart Eyes Killer
I’ll admit it: I went into Heart Eyes expecting a gimmick. A rom-com with a slasher twist? On paper, it sounds like the kind of high-concept mashup that collapses under its own cleverness—like a Valentine’s Day card stapled to a meat cleaver.
But somewhere between the winery massacre and the drive-in bloodbath, I found myself unexpectedly charmed. Not because the film reinvents the wheel, but because it spins the wheel with such giddy, gory enthusiasm.
Josh Ruben, the director behind Werewolves Within, has a knack for taking familiar genre tropes and giving them a playful, self-aware twist. Heart Eyes is no exception. It’s a film that winks at the audience while still delivering genuine scares and, surprisingly, a few tender moments. The premise is simple: Ally (Olivia Holt), an advertising executive, and Jay (Mason Gooding), a freelance marketer, are mistaken for a couple by the "Heart Eyes Killer," a Valentine’s Day serial killer who targets lovebirds.
What follows is a night of forced proximity, frantic escapes, and a lot of blood.
The film’s greatest strength is its ability to balance its tones. One moment, you’re laughing at the absurdity of a killer interrupting a marriage proposal with a crossbow; the next, you’re gripping your seat as the camera lingers on the Heart Eyes mask’s eerie, glowing red eyes. The mask itself is a brilliant touch—a simple but effective design that turns the killer into a living, breathing metaphor.
Those heart-shaped eye holes aren’t just a stylistic choice; they’re a visual pun, a reminder that love and violence have always been uncomfortably close bedfellows.
And yet, for all its cleverness, Heart Eyes isn’t afraid to get messy. The kills are graphic, almost cartoonishly so, with a level of gore that feels deliberately over-the-top. There’s a scene involving a merry-go-round that’s equal parts hilarious and horrifying, a perfect microcosm of the film’s tone.
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.5/10
"A charming but uneven blend of romance and horror that struggles to balance its tones."
The movie’s quirky premise and Olivia Holt’s performance draw praise, with viewers appreciating its attempt to merge comedy, horror, and romance. However, the execution feels inconsistent, leaving some underwhelmed by the pacing and underdeveloped supporting characters. The visual style and chemistry between leads keep it engaging, latestnetflix.com argues, but the story’s predictability holds it back.
What viewers praise
- Olivia Holt’s performance Holt’s charisma and energy anchor the film, making her character the standout.
- Unique genre mix The attempt to combine comedy, horror, and romance is seen as fresh and ambitious.
- Visual style The movie’s aesthetic and cinematography are praised for adding flair to the story.
- Lead chemistry The dynamic between Holt and Mason Gooding is a highlight, keeping interactions lively.
Common complaints
- Uneven tone The shifts between comedy, horror, and romance feel jarring and poorly balanced.
- Predictable plot The story follows familiar tropes, leaving little room for surprises.
- Underdeveloped side characters Supporting roles, including those played by Michaela Watkins and Devon Sawa, lack depth.
- Pacing issues Some scenes drag, while others rush key moments, disrupting the flow.
Recommended for
Fans of genre-blending films Olivia Holt admirers Light horror-comedy lovers Indie romance seekers
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Heart Eyes (2025): A Rom-Com Slasher with Awkward Chemistry and Killer Vibes
Heart Eyes (2025) is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated genre-blenders of the year—a romantic comedy with a slasher twist, directed by Josh Ruben (Scare Me, Werewolves Within). The film follows two coworkers, played by Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding, who are mistaken for a couple by a Valentine’s Day serial killer targeting lovebirds. With a cast that includes Jordana Brewster, Devon Sawa, and Michaela Watkins, the movie promises a mix of humor, horror, and heart. But behind the scenes, latestnetflix.com contends, the production has already sparked some juicy gossip—from on-set awkwardness to casting risks.
No Chemistry Read? No Problem (Mostly)
One of the most surprising revelations about Heart Eyes is that Holt and Gooding were cast without a chemistry read—a gamble for a rom-com, let alone one with slasher stakes. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Holt admitted the process included an "incredibly awkward icebreaker" to test their dynamic 
. While she didn’t spill details, the fact that the scene was deemed "well-received" suggests the duo’s off-screen rapport translated on camera . Still, the lack of a chemistry read is a bold move for a film banking on romantic tension. If the final product delivers, it’ll be a testament to the actors’ improvisational skills—or sheer luck.
A Killer Cast with Genre Cred
Heart Eyes isn’t just a rom-com with a body count; it’s a reunion of horror and comedy veterans. Devon Sawa, best known for Final Destination and The X-Files, brings slasher credibility, while Jordana Brewster (Fast & Furious) adds star power. Michaela Watkins (The Other Two, Search Party) and Gigi Zumbado (Do Revenge) round out the supporting cast, hinting at a mix of dark humor and genuine scares.
The film’s tone is a tightrope walk: balancing the campy fun of a rom-com with the tension of a slasher. Director Josh Ruben has experience with this blend—his 2020 film Werewolves Within was a critical darling for its horror-comedy balance—but Heart Eyes is a bigger swing, given its Valentine’s Day setting and higher-profile cast .
What We Still Don’t Know
Despite the buzz, details about Heart Eyes remain scarce. Here’s what’s missing:
- The Killer’s Identity: The IMDb synopsis teases that Holt and Gooding’s characters must "find out who it is," but no hints about the villain’s casting or motives have surfaced
. - Behind-the-Scenes Drama: Beyond Holt’s awkward icebreaker, there’s no word on on-set tensions, reshoots, or creative clashes. Given the film’s high-concept premise, it’s surprising there hasn’t been more chatter.
- Release Strategy: With a 2025 release date, it’s unclear if Heart Eyes will debut in theaters or stream. Spyglass Media Group’s involvement suggests a theatrical push, but nothing’s confirmed .
**Why Heart Eyes Could Be a Hit (or a Miss)**
The film’s success hinges on two things: chemistry and kills. If Holt and Gooding’s forced proximity feels authentic, the rom-com half could work. If the slasher elements land—think Scream meets Palm Springs—it might carve out a niche. But if the tone whiplashes between laughs and scares, it risks alienating both audiences.
Early buzz is positive, but with so little footage or trailers released, Heart Eyes remains a wildcard. One thing’s certain: if the awkward icebreaker scene made it into the final cut, it’ll be worth the price of admission.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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