While Halloween and Christmas have inspired a wealth of terrifying horror classics, Valentine's Day has received little affection from the genre. Aside from My Bloody Valentine and Valentine, few horror films are set during the holiday of love despite the perfect setting for carnage and (blood) lust. But not for much longer, with Josh Ruben's latest genre offering Heart Eyes perfectly marrying the conventions of horror and rom-coms while also introducing a brand new slasher icon in the making.

For the last two years, America has been plagued by the Heart Eyes Killer (HEK) who has brutally slain unsuspecting couples on Valentine's Day across different cities, with no known motive. In the present day, the serial killer sets his sights on Ally McCabe (Olivia Holt) and Jay Simmonds (Mason Gooding), two co-workers whose chemistry is absolutely undeniable and thus makes them the perfect target for HEK. Jay has been brought in to salvage the disastrous ad campaign that designer Ally has butchered, initially placing them at loggerheads. But soon they must join forces to fight for their lives as HEK's arrival in Seattle plunges the holiday into chaos.

After working together on holiday horrors It's A Wonderful Knife and Happy Death Day, writers Christopher Landon and Michael Kennedy have once again showcased their expertise in Frankenstein-ing genres into a new, monstrously entertaining concoction. From meetings fated in the stars to saccharine sweet declarations of love and the perfect dates, to gnarly kills, splatters of gore, and guttural screams, Heart Eyes shows an intimate understanding of the conventions of both horror and rom-com, and uses them to craft something unique. These tropes are what make both genres so recognisable and enjoyable, and while Heart Eyes may become predictable in parts because of these aspects, it's undeniably fun throughout as it celebrates the best of both worlds.

Following in the footsteps of Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, and Harry Warden, HEK is surely a new horror icon to hack and slash through our nightmares. With an intriguing yet ghastly mask and the savage brutality we've come to expect from the slasher genre, each kill from the shocking opening scene through to the end cements HEK as a villain to be feared and revered among the genre. Gooding and Holt deliver stellar performances as Ally and Jay with a chemistry palpable from the moment they bump into each other, quite literally, in a coffee shop. Horror icons Devon Sawa and Jordana Brewster are similarly brilliant as ineffective police officers Zeke Hobbs and Jeanine Shaw (yes, you did read that correctly) as they repeatedly try and fail to bring down the killer.

Horror and rom-com fans alike are sure to have heart eyes for Heart Eyes with extravagant set pieces, intricate kills, witty one-liners, and heart-swelling romantic moments that celebrate the best of both genres. Heart Eyes shows attention to detail on another level, with the makings of a truly unique franchise that is sure to be a staple for Halloween and Valentine's Day.

Heart Eyes is in cinemas from 14th February 2025.

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