Mason Gooding Stars in Valentine’s Day Horror Rom-Com ‘Heart Eyes’

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Mason Gooding, known for his role in the ‘Scream‘ franchise, takes the lead in the new Valentine’s Day horror rom-com ‘Heart Eyes,’ set to release just ahead of the holiday. The film, directed by Josh Ruben and written by Christopher Landon and Michael Kennedy, blends slasher horror with romantic comedy tropes, creating a unique genre cocktail.

‘Heart Eyes’ follows Ally (Olivia Holt), a cynical marketing professional, and Jay (Gooding), her charming coworker, as they navigate a deadly Valentine’s Day. The duo becomes the target of the Heart Eyes Killer, a masked murderer who stalks couples on the most romantic night of the year. Despite not being lovers, Ally and Jay must work together to survive the killer’s rampage.

Gooding, who has become a horror staple after surviving Ghostface in two ‘Scream’ films, shared his thoughts on his uncanny ability to survive horror movies. ‘Well… that’s one way to go,’ he joked during an interview with CinemaBlend. His co-star, Olivia Holt, reacted with a single word: ‘Don’t.’

The film opens with a brutal double homicide set to the tune of LoneStar‘s ballad ‘Amazed,’ setting the tone for its blend of dark humor and gory violence. Director Josh Ruben, known for ‘Werewolves Within,’ brings his signature style to the film, including inventive chase scenes and over-the-top kills. One standout sequence involves a carnival carousel chase, while another sees Jay handcuffed to a table, trying to evade the killer.

Despite its playful approach to horror, ‘Heart Eyes’ doesn’t shy away from romantic comedy conventions. The film features a dress montage, a race to the airport, and plenty of banter between the leads. ‘It’s a farce, a lie,’ Ally says of love during a business dinner with Jay, who counters with his own romantic optimism.

The Heart Eyes Killer’s identity remains a mystery until the end, though the small cast makes it relatively easy to guess. The film’s ending pays homage to Wes Craven‘s ‘Scream,’ though it lacks the same level of suspense and cleverness. Still, the sincerity of Holt and Gooding’s performances and the film’s commitment to its genre-blending premise make it an entertaining watch.

‘Heart Eyes’ is the latest in a line of genre-mixing films from writer Christopher Landon, who previously helmed ‘Happy Death Day‘ and ‘Freaky.’ While it may not reach the heights of those films, it offers a fun, if not particularly scary, way to spend Valentine’s Day.