In these trying times, it seems fitting that dark humor and violence are dominating the silver screen. It’s refreshing to see Hollywood prepare ahead, releasing a series of blood-soaked comedies in rapid succession. Last week brought us “Companion,” Drew Hancock’s cathartic thriller about an unaware sexbot and her boyfriend, and in two weeks we have “The Monkey” on the horizon – a blend of Oz Perkins’ autobiographical family trauma, laugh-out-loud brutal “Final Destination” style kills, and the director behind “Longlegs.” For now, we can enjoy “Heart Eyes,” a unique slasher romantic comedy that stands out among its peers. Compared to the R-rated release “Love Hurts,” which is an action-based romance, “Heart Eyes” offers a more engaging viewing experience.
Regrettably, “Heart Eyes” falls short of greatness due to some lingering issues. If it were to sharpen its critique of romantic comedy tropes and improve its execution of the chase scenes involving the title character, a massive figure with glowing eye-emoji mask, it could rise above being merely passable. Nonetheless, it’s smartly written enough to offer 97 minutes of escapism from our inexorable race towards doom.
The protagonist of the film “Heart Eyes”, a marketing executive named Ally (played by Olivia Holt), finds herself in a bitter post-breakup state, constantly scrutinizing Instagram photos of her ex with his new girlfriend. Her predicament stems from an inability to fully commit due to lingering resentment and a past trauma – the death of her father, which deeply affected her mother. This romantic dilemma is a common trope in films, serving as a hurdle that characters must overcome on their path to finding happiness.
In a twist of fate, Ally encounters a man named Jay (Mason Gooding) at a coffee shop who shares similar emotional baggage. Jay has a habit of idealizing his relationships and investing too much too quickly. Fate brings them closer as Jay starts working for the jewelry company where Ally works. Typically, a romantic comedy would introduce obstacles to prevent these two attractive individuals from being together. However, “Heart Eyes” presents a unique challenge: a serial killer who preys on couples, making Seattle their latest hunting ground.
Despite not being romantically involved yet, the strong connection between Ally and Jay catches the attention of the Heart Eyes Killer, marking them as potential victims. The chemistry between these two characters is so palpable that they become the serial killer’s new targets, despite their attempts to convince the killer that they are not a couple (yet).
The film “Heart Eyes” was helmed by Josh Ruben, a director known for his previous works, “Scare Me” and “Werewolves Within,” both released in 2020 and 2021 respectively, which were horror-comedy blends. However, it’s the involvement of producer and co-writer Christopher Landon that stands out. From penning Paranormal Activity sequels to creating clever spin-offs like Happy Death Day and Freaky, influenced by the Scream series, Landon has a knack for self-aware genre parodies. While Heart Eyes continues this trend, it seems the creators might not have enough familiarity with romantic comedies to effectively satirize them. To truly mock the tropes, one must appreciate them. A joke about a character rushing to the airport towards the end of the movie falls flat because it doesn’t seem like the filmmakers understand the usual climaxes in such scenarios. The actors playing Ally and Jay are likable, but they often slip into stereotypes, as if the script demands they remain unrealistic. The most effective parts of their romance lie in the conflict between their moments of attraction and flirtatious banter, which occur during their life-or-death escapades.
It’s smart to avoid this killer. The quirky nature of the Heart Eyes Killer’s murder spree is intriguing, though its methods aren’t always predictable. The movie starts with a hilarious massacre of an annoying couple during their engagement at a vineyard, where Lonestar’s “Amazed” plays from a speaker, a ring is hidden in a strawberry, and a repeat performance takes place once the photographer fails to capture the moment. Unlike many horror films, Heart Eyes prioritizes humor over fear, with scenes of its glowing-eyed monster chasing characters through gardens, police stations, and drive-ins, but these sequences lack spatial consistency that could build tension. However, when the violence erupts, it’s vivid, imaginative, and gruesome enough to provide a temporary release for any anger or despair one might be feeling. And in today’s world, that may just suffice if we still have governments functioning.
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2025-02-07 21:54