With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the color of red which symbolizes love always finds its way into slasher flicks. This is especially true in films where romance takes a drastic turn for the worst which is the case in Heart Eyes. Directed by Josh Rubin, there are elements of joy and humor to go along with this unique title. The movie is neither a terrible nor amazing slasher full of terror, but it is relatively entertaining and fulfilling. With Rubin having credits as a director for Netflix specials and different TV series, his creativity and ability to hold audiences’ attention is on par with arcade fun in Heart Eyes. This movie has moments which feel interactive but not in a way that requires the audience to take it too seriously.  It is a fun thriller to take in for most any type of occasion.

The film’s title refers to a killer known as the “Heart Eyes Killer.” He is a murderer that targets couples on Valentine’s Day. The story begins by taking the audience to a place where true love is being displayed during a proposal. When this killer comes into the scene, the grizzly tone shivers at high level as the stage for murder is set and the loss of innocence spirals. The director is experienced at making his work joyful to watch even when the subject involves death.  

The new targets are a unique pair. The film introduces us to Ally (played by Olivia Holt) and Jay (played by Mason Gooding). They are co-workers doing news work on the night of Valentine’s Day, and they become the new targets of the “Heart Eyes” Killer. The film feels like the setting of a Scream movie. However, it is less violent. Heart Eyes captures the moments when characters try to find the right answers in the suspenseful moments. The film also feels like a puzzle, because thecharacters who play authorities are questionable as well. The two detectives are Detective Hobbs (played by Devon Sawa) and Detective Shaw (played by Jordana Brewster). No, their titles do not relate to the Hobbs and Shaw film, although that is even joked about during the movie. Overall, the film focuses ona group of misfit characters dealing with a killer. The killer’seyes are the shape of hearts, but the hearts signify death. 

I appreciated the cheesiness throughout Heart Eyes. It has a plot that seems predictable, but it does not rely solely on violent tactics to sell the story. The director works to add quirky chemistry between the many characters who are navigating the dangers. A spirit of teamwork in a group of not-so-bright minds is how Heart Eyes lands on an intriguing vibe. The film is kind of like a Hallmark holiday movie filled with both slashes andlaughs. It also succeeds by having an antagonistic tone which keeps the story on track. Hugs and kisses do not see eye-to-eyein Heart Eyes, but the film glows with evil. Two-and-a-half out of four stars for Heart Eyes.