10 Best Horror Comedies Of The 2020s (So Far)

As Josh Ruben proved with Werewolves Within, the gifted director has a knack for splicing genres. Just to prove it wasn't a fluke, the underrated filmmaker pulled it off again with Heart Eyes.

The romantic whodunnit slasher focuses on a masked killer called Heart Eyes who targets couples on Valentine's Day. When friends Ally and Jay are mistaken for lovers, they find themselves being hunted by the titular psychopath.

From the first scene, Ruben establishes his signature mix of self-aware humour, stylised violence, and emotional sincerity. What could’ve been a gimmicky holiday horror flick turns into an exhilarating ride that balances gore and charm. It also satirises romcoms in a clever way without relying on tropes from the genre itself.

Heart Eyes himself is a brilliantly conceived villain, equal parts terrifying and oddly sympathetic. (Also, props to the people behind his wicked design.)

Of course, since the film is technically a romantic comedy, it wouldn't work unless the leads had chemistry. Though they don't start off as a couple, the constant fear of death brings them closer together, creating warm moments in between the blood-splattering chaos.

The concept has major potential, so let's hope Heart Eyes 2 is on the cards.