Movies

`Heart Eyes’ Killer Twist Leaves Viewers Guessing`

BBG News

In a unique blend of genres, the recently released film titled “Heart Eyes” is a horror-comedy that delves into romance or its satirical take on it, and surprisingly, it also includes elements of mystery movies. Much like many slasher films, Heart Eyes maintains the traditional “whodunit” aspect, where both the protagonists and viewers try to unravel the identity of the masked killer. The revelation of the killer’s identity should not be predictable or too obvious, yet it mustn’t come as a complete surprise. Heart Eyes‘ ending stands out in the crowded slasher genre because it manages to bring something new to the bloody landscape.

In the film titled “Heart Eyes“, directed by Josh Ruben (previously known for “Werewolves Within” ), the characters Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding portray Ally and Jay, who happen to be colleagues. On Valentine’s Day, they are falsely perceived as a couple, creating a predicament. This is significant because a murderer, known as the Heart Eyes Killer (HEK), has been targeting couples (and anyone else in their path) during the past two Valentine’s Days across multiple cities in the United States. This year, the killings occur in Seattle, where Ally and Jay reside. Throughout most of the movie, they strive to evade being victims until the climax when HEK is ultimately defeated—and exposed.

It’s surprising to find out that not one, but three individuals wearing the Heart Eyes mask are involved in the killings of lovebirds. This twist has been used before in slasher movies, notably in Scream, where it was revealed that there were two Ghostface killers, Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard) and Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich). Heart Eyes, however, pushes the boundaries by incorporating a misleading reveal, an underwhelming revelation, and finally, a twist that shrewd viewers might have anticipated—although the movie should be commended for executing a cleverly deceptive maneuver to confuse the audience.

Initially, Ally and Jay opt for confronting Heart Eyes instead of escaping as a masked killer indiscriminately slaughters people at a drive-in cinema. They succeed in eliminating HEK, but when they uncover his identity, it’s an unknown face that neither of them recognizes – one unfamiliar to everyone present. Given the deliberately underwhelming nature of this revelation, coupled with the fact that there were still 20 minutes left in the film, many viewers likely anticipated a subsequent, more conclusive reveal.

Detective Shaw (Jordana Brewster) persistently offers Jay a ride to the airport, but events unfold differently. By this stage, Ally, who has acknowledged her feelings for Jay, receives a directive from the Heart Eyes Killer demanding her presence at St. Valentine’s Church if she wishes to save Jay’s life. Given that the audience has been speculating about the true identity of the killer, they might surmise it’s Detective Shaw, as she was the last person seen with Jay, and when the Heart Eyes Killer attacked a Seattle Police Station where Jay and Ally were present, Shaw seemed to vanish. In a typical horror movie scenario, if a character’s fate isn’t explicitly confirmed, they are likely alive. Her reappearance without any explanation raises suspicions that perhaps there’s something unusual about her role in the story.

However, when Heart Eyes takes off its mask before Ally, it isn’t Detective Shaw, but rather an unfamiliar character – the I.T. guy from the police station whom Ally doesn’t recognize initially. This might also catch viewers off guard since he’s a minor character. The I.T. guy is somewhat irritated that Ally doesn’t remember him. This unexpected reveal is humorous, but if it were the final revelation of HEK’s identity, it would be anticlimactic. A good twist in a slasher narrative must be surprising yet familiar. Heart Eyes fulfills the surprise factor with the I.T. guy, and delivers on familiarity when Detective Shaw emerges from the shadows, revealing that she too is a killer. The two are married and derive pleasure from murdering other content couples. (The initial HEK, the random individual, was part of their throuple, but they don’t seem overly distressed about his demise.)

In a sequence of surprising unveilings, “Heart Eyes” doesn’t push boundaries in cinema, but it effectively maintains tension throughout a slasher movie by offering unexpected twists. The film employs conventional methods extensively and skillfully, blending misdirection, false leads, and hints that eventually fit together perfectly at crucial moments. Unlike a typical “Scooby-Doo” unmasking, the killer’s identity in “Heart Eyes” is far from routine—a clever play on words for the horror genre. The audience appreciates being caught off guard by these unanticipated revelations and taking pride in solving the mystery themselves.

If Heart Eyes hadn’t done one more clever thing, the audience might have discovered HEK’s identity sooner. In the beginning of the movie, the police discover a wedding ring at one of the early crime scenes with the initials “J.S.” engraved inside. This should prompt any amateur detective to search for characters whose names match these initials. Indeed, the cops suspect Jay Simmons as the culprit. However, this was a misdirection, as it should have been an early hint that Detective Shaw could be a suspect. Her last name starts with “S,” and her full name, Jeanine, is only revealed at the climax.

Initially, she’s presented with her partner, Detective Hobbs (Devon Sawa), leading to a light-hearted remark about their names echoing the Fast & Furious spin-off duo. Although this joke might not be particularly amusing – one critic even criticized it as a representative of the screenplay’s overall wit level – its purpose could be more significant than just a laugh. It seems to serve as a distraction, masking a crucial hint that is right before our eyes because we’re too busy chuckling at the joke. Instead, we should notice that one of the few other prominent characters shares an initial with the killer’s wedding ring. This subtle detail adds depth to the surprising ending in Heart Eyes, making it feel more satisfying and well-deserved.

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2025-02-07 15:07

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