Fan-Made ‘Heart Eyes’ Trailer Captures 80s Slasher Vibe

Heart eyes: Where Love Turns Deadly This valentines Day

Valentine’s Day: a celebration of love, chocolate, adn roses. Now, prepare to add blood and terror to that bouquet. This February,get ready for a chilling twist on romance wiht the release of *Heart Eyes*,a slasher film that promises a valentine’s Day celebration unlike any othre.

Directed by Josh Ruben, known for his darkly comedic horror films *Werewolves Within* and *Scare Me*, *Heart Eyes* stars Mason Gooding, fresh off his role in *Scream*, alongside Olivia Holt, known for *Cruel Summer*. Together, they’ll navigate a Valentine’s Day steeped in bloodshed, where romance turns deadly.

Ruben isn’t a stranger to twisting familiar tropes, and *Heart Eyes* dives headfirst into the nostalgic holiday slasher subgenre, which saw iconic films like *Black Christmas* and *halloween* terrorize audiences in the 70s and 80s. Adding fuel to the excitement, fan-made trailers, like the extraordinary one crafted by Wilson Cleveland, capture the essence of classic 80s slashers, transporting viewers back to a time when horror films were raw, visceral, and unapologetic. As cleveland aptly states in a tweet, “This would be the trailer for *heart Eyes* if it came out in 1981 during the first holiday slasher boom.” And trust me, it shows.

but don’t just expect nostalgic thrills; *Heart Eyes* promises a fresh, chilling narrative. As a tantalizing glimpse into the film’s premise reveals, “For the past several years, the Heart Eyes killer has wreaked havoc on Valentine’s Day by stalking and murdering romantic couples. This Valentine’s Day, no couple is safe.”

Bringing this sinister story to life is a powerhouse trio of screenwriters: Phillip Murphy (The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard), Christopher Landon (Happy Death Day, Freaky) and Michael kennedy (Freaky).

Produced by Screen gems and Spyglass, the studio behind the modern *Scream* franchise and *thanksgiving*, *Heart Eyes* is slated to hit theaters on February 7, 2025. Mark your calendars, horror fans. Valentine’s Day 2025 just got a whole lot more terrifying.

How Does Valentine’s Day Fuel the Fear?

Valentine’s Day, traditionally associated with love and affection, becomes a chilling backdrop for terror in *Heart Eyes*. Archyde recently caught up with director Josh Ruben to delve into how the holiday setting enhances the film’s suspense and terror.

“Valentine’s Day represents vulnerability, intimacy, and expectations,” Ruben explains. “Flipping those themes on their head, taking this holiday that’s supposed to be romantic and turning it into a hunting ground, creates a unique layer of tension.

Heart Eyes: A Modern Take on the Classic Holiday Slasher

Director Josh Ruben’s latest film, *Heart Eyes,* promises a fresh take on a familiar horror concept: the deadly Valentine’s Day massacre. While Ruben’s previous works,
*Werewolves Within* and *Scare Me,* showcased his masterful blend of humor and horror, *Heart Eyes* leans heavily into suspense and terror.

“While humor definitely plays a role, Heart Eyes leans more heavily into suspense and terror,” explains Ruben.

“Valentine’s Day, with its inherent themes of romance and intimacy, provides a unique backdrop for horror. It creates a sense of vulnerability and expectation that gets twisted in unsettling ways. think of classic holiday slashers, like *Black Christmas* and *My Bloody Valentine*; they tap into those primal fears associated with celebrations, turning them into nightmares.”

Ruben’s inspiration clearly comes from the classic 80s slashers, and this homage is evident throughout the film. “Absolutely! I’m a huge fan of 80s slashers,and I wanted to pay homage to that era while bringing something fresh to the genre.” Ruben states, adding,

“*Heart Eyes* embraces the tropes and aesthetics of those films, but with a modern twist. We’re bringing back practical effects, suspenseful scores, and iconic imagery, but with a story that feels relevant to today’s audiences.”

This resurgence in holiday slashers, particularly set around Valentine’s Day, reflects a deep-seated fascination with fear tied to seemingly innocent celebrations. “I think it speaks to our fascination with fear, especially when it’s tied to seemingly innocent celebrations,” Ruben continues.”These films tap into our primal fears, anxieties about safety, and the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of everyday life. Valentine’s Day, with its emphasis on romance and connection, becomes a breeding ground for paranoia and suspicion. *Heart Eyes* explores those anxieties, asking the question: Who can you truly trust, especially when love turns deadly?

“

While entertaining audiences and delivering chills, Ruben hopes audiences leave the theater pondering deeper implications. “I hope audiences leave the theater entertained, terrified, and maybe even a little reflective.Heart eyes is a reminder that even the most romantic holidays can have a dark side. It’s a celebration of horror, but also a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked obsession and the fragility of trust.”

In *Heart Eyes*, how does teh holiday backdrop of Valentine’s Day contribute too the film’s heightened sense of suspense and terror?

Heart Eyes: How Valentine’s Day Fuels the Fear

Valentine’s Day, traditionally associated with love and affection, becomes a chilling backdrop for terror in *Heart Eyes*. Archyde recently caught up with director Josh ruben to delve into how the holiday setting enhances the film’s suspense and terror.

An Exclusive Interview with Director Josh Ruben

“Valentine’s Day represents vulnerability, intimacy, and expectations,” ruben explains. “Flipping those themes on their head, taking this holiday that’s supposed to be romantic and turning it into a hunting ground, creates a unique layer of tension.

Heart Eyes: A Modern Take on the Classic Holiday Slasher

Director Josh Ruben’s latest film, *Heart Eyes,* promises a fresh take on a familiar horror concept: the deadly valentine’s day massacre. While Ruben’s previous works, *Werewolves Within* and *Scare Me,* showcased his masterful blend of humor and horror, *Heart Eyes* leans heavily into suspense and terror.

“While humor definitely plays a role, Heart Eyes leans more heavily into suspense and terror,” explains ruben.

“Valentine’s Day, with its inherent themes of romance and intimacy, provides a unique backdrop for horror.It creates a sense of vulnerability and expectation that gets twisted in unsettling ways. think of classic holiday slashers, like *Black Christmas* and *My bloody Valentine*; they tap into those primal fears associated with celebrations, turning them into nightmares.”

Ruben’s inspiration clearly comes from the classic 80s slashers, and this homage is evident throughout the film. “Absolutely! I’m a huge fan of 80s slashers,and I wanted to pay homage to that era while bringing somthing fresh to the genre.” Ruben states,adding,

“*heart Eyes* embraces the tropes and aesthetics of those films,but with a modern twist. We’re bringing back practical effects, suspenseful scores, and iconic imagery, but with a story that feels relevant to today’s audiences.”

This resurgence in holiday slashers, particularly set around Valentine’s Day, reflects a deep-seated captivation with fear tied to seemingly innocent celebrations.”I think it speaks to our fascination with fear, especially when its tied to seemingly innocent celebrations,” Ruben continues.”These films tap into our primal fears, anxieties about safety, and the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of everyday life. Valentine’s Day, with its emphasis on romance and connection, becomes a breeding ground for paranoia and suspicion.*Heart Eyes* explores those anxieties,asking the question: Who can you truly trust,especially when love turns deadly?

“

While entertaining audiences and delivering chills,Ruben hopes audiences leave the theater pondering deeper implications.”I hope audiences leave the theater entertained, terrified, and maybe even a little reflective.Heart eyes is a reminder that even the most romantic holidays can have a dark side. It’s a festivity of horror,but also a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked obsession and the fragility of trust.”