Written by John Edward Betancourt  Still from Josh Ruben’s HEART EYES Courtesy of Sony Pictures. It really is quite amazing what’s happening within the horror genre at the moment. Because not only is it enjoying its reign as one of the top genres out there, but it is making great efforts to bring the genre back to its roots and help a new generation of fans understand what makes it so great and so worth our while. Which is why we are seeing zombie stories return to a sense of bleakness and devastation through The Walking Dead franchise, and why so many creatives are working hard to make the vampire and the werewolf and other such creatures so scary through deconstructive films that capture the essence of the character and the scare. To just hammer home, this is a glorious world that will take your breath away and let you process evil untold before returning you home, safe and sound. In fact, this is so wondrous that it is becoming clear that this back-to-basics approach should be applied to the various sub genres of the horror world as well to spice them up. In fact, one that would benefit from a refresh, is the slasher film. For while the slasher is a genuine staple that has enchanted horror fans for ages on end, through monsters that are both mystical and demented. It is indeed in need of a facelift. For slashers are mired in tropes and familiar situations that any audience member, be them salty veterans or newcomers can call out. But thankfully, there are creatives that have recognized that and are ready to apply that approach, and the slasher’s most significant refresh has arrived at last, in the form of the new horror comedy, Heart Eyes. Which is a film that reinvents the slasher by way of a magnificent plot. One that introduces us to a marketing guru named Ally, who is going through a tough time in her life. Because she just endured a nasty breakup and her sour feelings toward love, inspires her to create an ad campaign with a dark romance theme, that airs at a time of crisis. For the past couple of years have brought about a dark Valentine’s Day for the nation. Courtesy of the Heart Eyes Killer. A serial killer that attacks couples on that special day, and that brings a PR hell storm down upon her. One that requires her to work with a fixer named Jay. Whom she feels an instant draw to, but she denies her heart what it wants. In an effort to heal. But their chemistry in undeniable and the Heart Eyes Killer is in their town and has noticed their spark and is now eager to snuff it out. A decision that will make Valentine’s Day a stunning fight for survival for this unlucky duo.  Which is… the perfect way to refresh this type of story and reinvent it. Courtesy of the fact, that the plot allows for incredible commentary to come into play. Because this story clearly has a lot to say about modern dating and our interesting views on love and romance, and that really is something we don’t see all that often in slasher films. Since messaging really isn’t their forte, and adding commentary here really does refresh the slasher well, as do the other elements present here. Such as the wondrous use of genre fusion since there elements of romantic comedies to be found here, and comedy in general and all of that just brings forth a slasher story that feels new and is exciting, and it still has so much to offer the audience.
Simply because, it takes the many tropes and cliché we find in this type of film and flips them upside down. Which leads to all kinds of amazing surprises and moments that subvert expectations, and that only adds to the refreshing nature of this feature. But make no mistake about it, while this is a smarter slasher film than we are used to, one that also features some amazing updates to this style of story, it is still at its core a good old fashioned slasher flick, and it delivers on that front in bloody spades. For the Heart Eyes Killer is an inventive and twisted monster, one that enjoys spilling as much blood as possible, and leaving buckets of gore lying about post kill. Which leads to some solid splatter in this feature, and some stunning kills that that will indeed prompt some to cry out in surprise. If anything, all of these elements give rise to an absolutely brilliant horror film. Because this one really does reinvent the slasher and update it for a new generation, and to boot, it even features some top-level acting. For Olivia Holt (Abby) and Mason Gooding (Jay) are simply sublime and land every joke and land every moment with ease. Not to mention, Jordana Brewster and Devon Sawa are magnificent as Detectives Shaw and Hobbs (yes, you read that right) and help to add gravitas to this story with their sheer presence as genre legends. All of which makes for a must-see feature. For this one has it all really, courtesy of some great writing and a bold decision to refresh one of horrors most beloved subgenres, and it would be no surprise if this movie kicks off a slasher renaissance since it has showcased, the slasher’s true potential.
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