Year of Release: 2025
Director: Josh Ruben
Starring: Olivia Holt, Mason Gooding, Gigi Zumbado, Jordana Brewster, Devon Sawa, Michaela Watkins, Yoson An, James Gaylyn, Bronwyn Bradley
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 2
Watch it on Amazon
Synopsis and Review
While "Heart Eyes" is a Screen Gems release, I genuinely thought this film was a Netflix release, trying to emulate the "Fear Street" series. The narrative follows the story of Ally McCabe, a copywriter/marketeer, whose latest creation/campaign for a Jewelry client almost gets her fired by her volatile and energetic boss Crystal. Crystal introduces everyone to Jay Simmons, a bold and award winning creative who is coming in to inject some creativity into the campaigns the teams have been pushing out. Ally fears even more for her job, but upon meeting Jay realizes he's the man she bumped into earlier on at a coffee shop. He invites her for a work dinner, so they can also get better acquainted as they're about to start working together, and Jay is in town for a very brief time span. After a tense conversation during dinner, and as they both leave the restaurant, Ally crosses paths with her recent ex-boyfriend, in tow with his new partner. Not wanting to be a sore loser, she quickly locks lips with Jay, makes up a quick lie, not realizing that a serial killer who goes by the name of Heart Eyes is checking what is happening. As Ally and Jay patch their relationship up, and go to her apartment, they are attacked by the killer, who starts leaving a list of bodies on the trail to get to the couple.
This is the type of film that is truly a head scratcher, not because of being particularly ingenious or creative, or even particularly gore-filled, but more so about the question that forces us all to ask ourselves: why was this even made. This is a film that literally adds nothing to the slasher genre that's been around for quite some time, it picks up influences from Wes Craven's "Scream" series, from Geoffrey Wright's "Cherry Falls", and a series of others, but essentially brings nothing new to the genre. Where Ti West for instance has approached the genre in a rather unique way, with his trilogy of "X", "Pearl", and "Maxxxine", Josh Ruben who previously directed "Death to 2021" and "Werewolves Within", doesn't really do much beyond illustrating the gore that is involved in most killings in this film. There are glances of humor in the narrative, but it's a film that doesn't really know what to do with its characters, nor with the killer, who when uncovered at the end, is presented with the flimsiest justification as to why that killing spree has been occurring. This attempt at marrying a Young Adult type of series, quasi Hallmark style, with slasher, ultimately doesn't congeal, it feels forced, and it's inhabited by characters that are caricatures without much to say (or do), including the perpetual humorous best friend, and the shrill and eccentric older boss character. The cast is sadly also uninspired, without anyone truly making much of a mark. The production team is solid, with highlights going to Stephen Murphy's cinematography, and Rob Bavin's production design. It's forgettably mediocre.
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