Its just not going to happen.
That alone is a clever, specific twist on the typical horror tropes.
Dropping us in the middle of this mythology adds all sorts of fun possibilities and expectations.
Heart Eyes could become our next big slasher.Image: Sony
The performances are heightened.
The music choices are beautifully on the nose.
And, as a result, you start laughing at seemingly everything that happens, even the kills.
Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding inHeart Eyes.– Sony
The movie knows its silly for these two to fall for each other so fast.
It knows its dumb for this killer to keep focusing on them when so many other couples are around.
There are multiple red herrings that work incredibly well and the kills get increasingly gory and brutal.
Jordana Brewster and Devon Sawa inHeart Eyes. – Sony
Much grosser than one would expect in a film with so many laughs and romance.
Any time the killer is on screen, or just off it, the movie clicks.
It also doesnt help that neither Holt nor Gooding are particularly great in the movie.
Everything about their relationship, from the annoying meet-cute to the confusing working relationship, always feels forced.
Thankfully, while the leads might not be great, the supporting cast is.
Those two in particular know exactly what movie they are in and really play it up for the camera.
Even with the just-okay leads and moments of flat awkwardness,Heart Eyesdid end up winning us over.
Its consistently funny, has some solid misdirects, and lots of gross horror elements.
Its not perfect but its ambitious and sometimes thats enough.
The film opens February 7.
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