Podcast Summary:

Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present
Episode: Deep Cuts Horror Hit List #11 “Heart Eyes”
Date: October 21, 2025
Hosts: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes (Amy & TJ)

Episode Overview

On this episode of their “Deep Cuts Horror Hit List,” Amy and TJ discuss “Heart Eyes,” a recent genre-bending film that successfully merges rom-com and slasher horror. Sitting at number 11 on their horror hit list as Halloween approaches, “Heart Eyes” stands out for its unique blend of romance, comedy, and blood-soaked mayhem specifically themed around Valentine’s Day. The hosts deep-dive into why it works, its self-aware humor, the cast, critical and audience reactions, and, as always, recommend the perfect food and drink to enjoy with the movie.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why “Heart Eyes” Stands Out

• Genre Mashup Challenge:
  • Amy was skeptical such a mix could succeed:

    "I thought finally someone has made the perfect date horror movie where you mix a rom com with a horror movie. And I just didn't believe it could be done well in both genres. And yet they nailed it." (Amy, 03:44)

  • TJ calls it the “perfect date movie” and notes they keep newer releases lower on their list to ensure objectivity but felt this deserved the spot.

2. Film Synopsis and Audience

• Plot:

  • A Valentine’s Day-themed slasher where the “Heart Eyes Killer” targets romantic couples.
  • Focuses on two coworkers forced to survive and uncover the killer’s identity.
  • Amy: “The two have to find out who it is.” (06:43)

• Who’s It For:

  • Couples, rom-com fans, and viewers who enjoy self-aware humor.
  • Not for those seeking “highbrow horror” or who dislike genre-blending.
  • Amy: “This is for couples… And I think girlfriends, girls who like rom coms, who all go together and watch… as long as you can handle some gore.” (23:45)
  • TJ: “Not for anyone who is looking for a highbrow horror experience… This is some silliness, some foolishness. The killings are food. And why is he using a crossbow?” (26:03)

3. Cast & Performances

• Olivia Holt, Jordana Brewster (of Fast & Furious fame), and Mason Gooding (Cuba Gooding Jr.'s son).
• Mason described as “adorable” and “perfect in this role.” (Amy, 07:21)
• Chemistry between leads: “Rooting for them and their love story, which was so hilariously formulaic, including the meet cute at the coffee shop.” (Amy, 07:32)

4. Rom-Com and Horror Tropes: Satire and Sincerity

• Satirizes and embraces rom-com conventions—“meet cute,” formulaic dialogue, car scene packed with famous rom-com lines.
• Amy describes a favorite scene:

  “…where they brilliantly weave in nearly every line in every famous rom com movie in a scene in the car where I just died laughing.” (Amy, 05:30)

• TJ admits learning about rom-com tropes through Amy and the film:

  "See, I didn't know what a meet cute was till about eight months ago." (TJ, 07:47)

• The film is “cheesy,” “over-the-top,” and self-aware, but the hosts agree that’s what makes it work.

5. Critical and Audience Reception

• Rotten Tomatoes:
  • 77% critics, 76% audience—surprisingly close.
  • Amy thinks it deserves a 90%. (08:35)
• Critical Consensus:

  "A mixture of gory slasher and sweet rom com that ingeniously nails both formulas. Heart Eyes serves up a bloody Valentine that'll make the heart skip a beat." (Critics, read by TJ, 09:16)

• Negative reviews:
  • Some critics felt it failed to fully satisfy any genre.
  • TJ and Amy defend the movie, insisting viewers shouldn’t take it too seriously.
  • Amy: "Sometimes maybe you have to ask yourself, am I taking my opinions too seriously? Maybe this movie was exactly what it set out to be and it wasn't for anyone to take it too seriously." (Amy, 12:31)

6. Why the Mix Works (or Doesn’t)

• Horror Purists vs. Rom-Com Fans:

  • Some audience split between men and women; women seem to appreciate it more.
  • TJ: "I noticed a difference in reviews between women and men… The women seem to get this." (15:57)
  • Amy: "If you went to go see this just with a bunch of dudes thinking it was going to be a fun slasher… you probably wouldn't have gotten a lot of the jokes or a lot of the whole point of the movie, which was to make fun of, yet honor rom coms." (16:24)

• Audience Review Highlight (Read by TJ, 16:39):

  “If you don't like this movie, it's probably just not for you. Heart Eyes was actually great, especially if you have a creative taste. I'd pay $20 a person to see a sequel… This movie shines if you're in a relationship… For couples, it's a unique, fun and memorable theater experience.” (16:39)

7. The Heart of Rom-Com vs. Horror

• Discuss how “rom coms are comfort food… you know it's gonna all end okay,” whereas horror is full of uncertainty.

  • TJ: “There was safety almost in watching a horror movie because it was also a rom com. Like, okay, I know it's going bad now, but it's gonna work out.” (15:09)

• Adding a killer “with a mask in the shape of hearts… they light up” makes the silliness clear. (TJ & Amy, 13:32)

8. Personal Favorites & Movie References

• Playful discussion about favorite rom-com moments and classics (e.g., “Pretty Woman”, “Notting Hill”, “Love Actually”, “Say Anything”).
• Amy and TJ humorously debate which actors starred in which classics and promise a future “Rom-Com Countdown” episode.

9. Food & Drink Pairing (27:18)

• Amy’s recommendation:
  • “Duh. Valentine's Day stuff. So I would go with a sparkling rosé… something celebratory like that. And then chocolates. Anything sweet… put it on your coffee table and just enjoy.” (Amy, 27:18)
• Perfect for Netflix and a fun night in.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “They brilliantly weave in nearly every line in every famous rom-com movie in a scene in the car where I just died laughing.”
  — Amy (05:30)

• “Charming as well.”
  — TJ on Mason Gooding (07:31)

• “You have to embrace how ridiculous it is. It's called Heart Eyes. There's literally a killer with a mask on in the shape of hearts.”
  — TJ (13:23)

• "Rom coms are… comfort food for the soul. You know what you're getting. You know what's gonna happen. You know you're in good hands because it's gonna all end okay. But you put in death and a masked killer… it makes it funnier."
  — Amy (14:22)

• “There was safety almost in watching a horror movie because it was also a rom com. Like, ok, I know it's going bad now, but it's gonna work out.”
  — TJ (15:09)

• “If you don't like this movie, it's probably just not for you. Heart Eyes was actually great, especially if you have a creative taste. I'd pay $20 a person to see a sequel.”
  — Read by TJ (16:39)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction to episode and “Heart Eyes” — (03:11)
• Amy’s take on the rom-com/horror mashup — (03:44)
• Plot & cast discussion — (06:06 – 07:31)
• Meet-cute and rom-com tropes explained — (07:47)
• Critical/Audience reviews breakdown — (08:35 – 10:57)
• Satirical nature & how to approach the film — (12:31 – 13:50)
• Difference in gendered reviews — (15:57 – 16:39)
• Standout rom-com elements in the film — (18:10)
• Who will love the movie / who won’t — (23:45)
• Food & drink pairing recommendations — (27:18)
• Streaming info: Available on Netflix — (27:45)
• Preview of next episode / wrapping up — (28:17)

Tone & Dynamic

• Light, playful, and self-deprecating.
• Amy acts as the rom-com aficionado; TJ learns and pokes fun.
• Both embrace the film’s “foolishness” as part of its charm.
• The episode is conversational and at times feels like a lively, affectionate couples debate about movies.

Conclusion

Amy and TJ give “Heart Eyes” a strong endorsement for couples, rom-com fans, or anyone looking for a fun, self-aware holiday horror. They caution horror purists away, but say it’s a must-see for date night or groups of girlfriends, especially for viewers who appreciate “comfort food” cinema—but with a bloody, hilarious twist. Available to stream on Netflix, best enjoyed with chocolates and sparkling wine.