Heart Eyes (2025)

Heart Eyes: The Valentine’s Day Horror Movie We’ve Been Waiting For

Valentine’s Day isn’t typically known for horror films, but Heart Eyes might just change that. While most holiday-themed horror movies revolve around Halloween or Christmas, there’s a significant gap when it comes to stories tied to Valentine’s Day. And yet, Heart Eyes promises to deliver a much-needed twist to the Valentine’s Day horror genre, giving us more than just another slasher—it offers a thrilling ride through a night of terror on the most romantic day of the year.

Valentine’s Day Horror: A Rare Genre

It’s not that Valentine’s Day hasn’t had its fair share of horror films; it’s just that they’re few and far between. Notably, there’s My Bloody Valentine (1981) and its 2009 remake, but despite the title, the holiday itself doesn’t play a prominent role in the narrative. In the original, a tragic event at a Valentine’s Day dance sets off the killer’s rampage, while the remake is a more straightforward slasher that relies on its graphic kills rather than the holiday itself. Other notable mentions include the anthology Holidays (2016), which features a Valentine’s Day segment, but again, it doesn’t fully embrace the heart-filled chaos we expect from a Valentine’s Day-themed horror story.

Unlike its predecessors, Heart Eyes embraces the holiday’s dark potential. The killer, known as the Heart Eyes Killer, targets couples, turning the most romantic night of the year into a horrific fight for survival. With the blood and gore of a classic slasher, Heart Eyes taps into the full essence of Valentine’s Day horror, offering the perfect mix of thrills, chills, and even a touch of dark humor.

Heart Eyes – A Bloody Love Story

Directed by Josh Ruben, known for his work on Werewolves Within and Scare Me, Heart Eyes is set to bring a Valentine’s Day twist to the slasher genre. The film stars Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding, who play two co-workers caught up in a nightmare when they are mistaken for a couple by the elusive killer. Set in Seattle on Valentine’s Day, the pair must now fight to survive as the Heart Eyes Killer targets happy couples, all while trying to navigate the romantic expectations of the holiday.

The killer’s modus operandi is simple: he goes after couples, creating a terrifying scenario where no one is safe. Holt and Gooding’s characters, who initially meet under innocent circumstances in a coffee shop, find themselves on a harrowing run for their lives. The killer is methodical, and the stakes couldn’t be higher on the most romantic night of the year.

With a tagline that promises “fun and graphic scenes fitting with the slasher genre,” Heart Eyes is poised to be the Valentine’s Day horror film we never knew we needed. This slasher brings the kind of thrills that make horror fans’ hearts race, all while offering a darkly comedic take on the romantic holiday.

Heart Eyes – A Valentine’s Day Slasher with a Twist

The film doesn’t just promise slasher-fueled suspense—it’s also a nod to romantic comedy conventions. Ruben has stated that his love of horror is rivaled only by his affection for rom-coms, and Heart Eyes is his attempt to combine these genres into something unique. He describes the movie as a “brutal slasher in a nostalgic rom-com universe,” blending the clichés of romance with the chaos of horror in a way that’s both playful and terrifying.

Written by Christopher Landon and Michael Kennedy (known for Freaky and Time Cut), the screenplay plays with these genre boundaries, providing moments of humor and heart amidst the bloodshed. As Ruben puts it, “I’m excited as hell to mount my most challenging genre bender to date.” And fans of the genre bender style, like Freaky or Scream, will find plenty to enjoy here.

The Star-Studded Cast and Crew

With Heart Eyes, Ruben has assembled a talented cast and crew. Olivia Holt, known for her role in Totally Killer, and Mason Gooding, who has appeared in the Scream reboot, lead the cast. They are joined by Jordana Brewster (The Fast and the Furious), Devon Sawa (Final Destination), and Gigi Zumbado (The Price We Pay), ensuring a blend of experienced and fresh faces in the horror genre.

Produced by Christopher Landon, the film brings a unique vision to the genre, balancing horror, romance, and humor in a way that has fans eagerly anticipating its release.

The Release and Rating

Heart Eyes is scheduled to hit theaters on February 7, 2025—just in time for Valentine’s Day. While February 14th is traditionally reserved for larger releases, such as Disney/Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World, Sony wisely chose to release the film a week earlier to ensure that horror fans could celebrate the season of love with a bit of bloodshed.

The movie has been rated R for strong violence, gore, language, and some sexual content, promising an intense and thrilling experience for fans of the slasher genre. And with its release coming so close to Valentine’s Day, it’s the perfect movie for those looking to spice up their romantic plans with a little horror.

Why You Should Watch Heart Eyes

Whether you’re a fan of rom-coms, slashers, or just looking for something new to watch this Valentine’s Day, Heart Eyes promises to be an exciting and unique addition to the genre. From its killer premise to its twist on the romantic holiday, this film is one that can truly do justice to the rarely explored world of Valentine’s Day horror movies.

Are you ready to face the Heart Eyes Killer? Let us know in the comments if you’ll be catching Heart Eyes when it hits theaters next month. It might just be the bloodiest Valentine’s Day we’ve ever had.