Spoiler-Free Review of “Heart Eyes” in Theaters: Rom-Coms are making a Killer Comeback!

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“This is going to be the best Valentine’s Day ever…”

Heart Eyes released in theaters on February 7th 2025. The slasher-romance horror film stars Olivia Holt, Mason Gooding, Devon Sawa, and Jordana Brewster. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-seven minutes.

A masked killer targets couples each year on Valentine’s day, but when two co-workers get mistaken for a pair in love, they must work together to survive the night.

Here is the trailer:

Heart Eyes is my type of movie, effectively channeling slasher comedies like Happy Death Day, making this an absolute blast to experience. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

Perfect balance of genres!

In the mood for a rom-com or a gory slasher? Why not combine both? This film understood the assignment and just went for it in the best possible way. The opening really set the tone and we even had some fun chase scenes!

The comedy really landed for me and I loved the outrageous gory kills. There were also a lot of sweet moments in this one without overdoing it. Honestly, it was the perfect mash-up and I will be watching this one every Valentine’s day for sure!

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

Great chemistry between characters.

Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding were delightful in this one. I believed the chemistry between them. It felt real and genuine and it wasn’t too over-the-top, which I appreciated.

They are both starting to appear in more and more horror movies (which I love) and I can’t wait to see them in more films in the future.

It was also fantastic seeing horror alum, Devon Sawa and Jordana Brewster in this.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

Predictable reveal.

I still loved it, but I saw it coming a mile away. The ending was a little messy, but I think it managed to stick the landing for the most part and make sure you stay for the after credits scene!

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

I’m in 100 percent!!!

Heart Eyes is a self-aware slasher with the perfect balance of gory kills and genuine laughs.

I had a feeling that I would fall in love with this film. It exceeded my expectations and then some!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Heart Eyes in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

When former friends, Shay and Adriana team up to participate in a Halloween scavenger hunt with a cash prize, they temporarily put their differences aside to outsmart their opponents. However, they soon start to realize that a dangerous threat is playing their own version of the game, stalking them during each hunt.

Winning is now a necessity as their lives are at stake. As old wounds and memories re-surface, Shay and Adriana attempt to unmask the threat before the night is over, but soon learn that Scream Hunt is not done with them just yet…

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Totally Killer” on Prime Video: A Feel Good Slasher Flick

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“It’s not 1987 anymore…”

Totally Killer released on Prime Video on October 6th 2023. The horror comedy film stars Kiernan Shipka, Olivia Holt, Troy Leigh-Anne Johnson, Liana Liberato, Lochlyn Munro, and Julie Bowen. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-five minutes.

The “Sweet Sixteen Killer” returns 35 years after murdering three teens around Halloween. When Jamie faces off against the killer, she winds up accidentally time traveling back to 1987, teaming up with her teenage mother to take the killer down.

Here is the trailer:

Totally Killer successfully channels vibes from Happy Death Day and The Final Girls while finding its own identity along the way, presenting us with fantastic music, welcomed references, and some bloody fun. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Kiernan Shipka and Olivia Holt are incredible!

Wow…what a team up! I honestly LOVED the entire cast and thought that even the supporting characters were a lot of fun. There were plenty of familiar faces in this one, but Kiernan Shipka and Olivia Holt stole the show.

They were both so fantastic and I hope to see them both in some more horror films soon because they kick ass and then some!

Images courtesy of Prime Video

A self-aware slasher.

It’s no secret that my favorite genre is the slasher one and I love when films like this recognize what they are and just embrace their identity fully. The movie references were so much fun and they didn’t overdo them, which I was initially slightly worried about. 

The music was an absolute blast and there was a good balance of dry humor and slasher fun, which worked seamlessly.

Plus, that opening scene was INCREDIBLE!!!

Please make more films like this!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Loses a touch of steam in the middle.

The pacing was mostly on point, but I thought that the opening and ending were the strongest parts. We fell off a little bit somewhere in the middle, but I wouldn’t say this was a major con.

I also wanted a little bit more in the slasher department. We got some decent kills, but this film definitely leaned more toward the comedy side of horror comedy.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Prime Video

I’m in!!!

Totally Killer is a bloody good time!

Effortless fun and a cast to die for.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Totally Killer in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

When former friends, Shay and Adriana team up to participate in a Halloween scavenger hunt with a cash prize, they temporarily put their differences aside to outsmart their opponents. However, they soon start to realize that a dangerous threat is playing their own version of the game, stalking them during each hunt.

Winning is now a necessity as their lives are at stake. As old wounds and memories re-surface, Shay and Adriana attempt to unmask the threat before the night is over, but soon learn that Scream Hunt is not done with them just yet…

My young adult horror thriller is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

 

 

Spoiler-Free Review of “Cruel Summer” on Freeform: Mean Girls with Bite

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“Who do you believe?”

Cruel Summer premiered on Freeform on April 20th 2021. The series is set to air ten weekly episodes. It stars Olivia Holt, Chiara Aurelia, Harley Quinn Smith, Michael Landes, and Froy Gutierrez. Each episode runs for approximately 50 minutes.

The events we witness take place over three summers in the 1990’s as a teen goes missing and another girl mysteriously takes her place.

Here is the trailer:

Cruel Summer adapts a typical teen thriller formula into something different by presenting us with three timelines that jump back and forth. It’s something bold and unique, but does it get in the way of this already entertaining plot? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Cruel Summer Spoiler Free Review 1

Images courtesy of Freeform

Mean Girls meets Single White Female.

Sure, it’s been done before, but this is a formula for success. I really loved this vibe and I was drawn into the plot and mystery completely. I can’t predict what is going on and I am actually really excited to see what happens next.

I also really like that I’m not sure who to root for just yet. The opening two episodes present us with different perspectives and of course things are not as they seem.

The performances are actually pretty on point and I thought that Kevin Smith’s daughter, Harley Quinn Smith was really great and I’m excited to see her in this role.

Cruel Summer Spoiler Free Review 2

Images courtesy of Freeform

90’s nostalgia.

Much like Little Fires Everywhere, this show is also bringing us some 90’s nostalgia with the fashion and music soundtrack. I’m not sure it was truly necessary for this show, but it’s an added bonus and I am enjoying the throwback so far.

The Cons:

Cruel Summer Spoiler Free Review 3

Images courtesy of Freeform

Trippy time jumps.

While I appreciate that this show is trying to do something different, the trippy time jumps become really confusing and distracting. I actually think that the show is really good without these flashes every few minutes and while the actresses do a great job of reminding us which Jeanette and Kate we are dealing with, my head started to hurt after a while.

So am I in or out?

Cruel Summer Spoiler Free Review 4

Images courtesy of Freeform

I’m in!

Even with the trippy time jumps, this show is really addicting. I think that it might quickly become one of my favorite shows and I am really excited to see the mystery unfold over the next several weeks.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Cruel Summer in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

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A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!