Heart Eyes (18)

The Heart Eyes Killer, abbreviated to HEK by police and the media, is a masked-clad maniac who has slaughtered loved-up couples in Boston and Philadelphia on Valentine's Day. This year, the merciless predator has chosen Seattle as their playground. Advertising exec Ally and consultant Jay Simmons are mistaken for a romantic pairing by Heart Eyes. The pair loudly affirm their single status so they should be spared but the killer pursues them regardless.

LondonNet Film Review

Heart Eyes (18) Film Review from LondonNet

Scream actor Mason Gooding doubles down on misfortune this Valentine’s Day, trading fighting against Ghostface for another seemingly unstoppable masked maniac in a gleeful comedy slasher directed by Josh Ruben, which gives new meaning to loving someone to death. A script co-written by Phillip Murphy, Michael Kennedy and Happy Death Day filmmaker Christopher Landon enthusiastically bear hugs well-worn horror and rom-com tropes including a meet cute in a coffee shop, physical pratfalls, jump scares and a titular menace sneaking up behind victims to plunge a knife through politely yielding flesh.
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Gooding’s sensitive and soulful singleton is chivalrous under pressure, in touch with his emotions and maintains an impressive six-pack with afternoon yoga sessions. “These muscles were not made for violence. They were made for cuddling,” he asserts dreamily. Screen partner Olivia Holt is the slap to his tickle, a battle-scarred cynic when it comes to the notion of everlasting, monogamous love: “It’s a farce, a lie.” The two leads kindle plentiful sparks as they work together to avoid a close encounter with blades, bullets and crossbow bolts on the night of February 14, when lovers traditionally exchange cards or engagement rings not fearful final words before a grisly demise.

The Heart Eyes Killer, abbreviated to HEK by police and the media, is a masked-clad maniac who has slaughtered loved-up couples in Boston and Philadelphia on Valentine’s Day. This year, the merciless predator has chosen Seattle as their playground, not that residents know it yet. The city is home to long-suffering advertising exec Ally (Holt), whose latest pitch to her bullying boss (Michaela Watkins) is deemed tone-deaf and offensive. To salvage the campaign and her career, Ally must work with consultant Jay Simmons (Gooding), who is in Seattle for one night (yes, they will be sleepless).

After a brainstorming dinner, the colleagues are embroiled in a minor first aid emergency, which escalates into life or death when Ally discovers Heart Eyes hiding in her closet. Ally and Jay loudly protest that they aren’t consciously coupled so should be spared but the killer pursues them regardless. Meanwhile, police detectives Hobbs (Devon Sawa) and Shaw (Jordana Brewster) piece together clues to the lunatic behind the mask.

Heart Eyes is a frothy, fast-paced treat that delivers laughter and slaughter in dizzyingly quick succession. Squelchy death sequences escalate in intensity and gratuitous gore, leaning in heavily to the unapologetic madness of the final 20 minutes, which the central duo aptly describe as “an all you can kill buffet”. Whoops are loud and plentiful including a scene-stealing turn from Gigi Zumbado as Ally’s no-nonsense best friend, who welds together romantic comedy film titles to say anything about love, actually. Cute.

– Sarah Lee