Romantic comedies are having a moment again in 2025, and Heart Eyes embodies exactly why the genre continues to win hearts despite its predictability. It’s warm, witty, and unabashedly romantic, but it also isn’t afraid to poke fun at the very tropes it embraces. Watching it feels a little like rediscovering your favorite comfort food—familiar, but with an updated recipe that makes it taste new again.
Plot and Themes
The film centers on two characters whose love lives couldn’t be more different until fate, or perhaps the internet, collides their worlds in the most unexpected way. A meet-cute gone wrong goes viral, sparking instant online commentary and turning both characters into reluctant icons of modern dating. What follows is a series of chance encounters that force them to confront not only their feelings for each other but also how the digitally connected world shapes intimacy, vulnerability, and authenticity.
Thematically, Heart Eyes explores the tension between public perception and private emotion. It shows how love stories today don’t just unfold between two people but are often watched, dissected, and sometimes even shaped by the wider audience of social media. That extra layer elevates the otherwise classic rom-com formula and makes it feel timely.
Performances and Chemistry
The film would not work without the undeniable spark between the leads. The actors carry the movie with effortless charisma, balancing humor and emotional depth. The awkwardness of their first encounters feels relatable, while their growing connection is handled with subtlety rather than melodrama. Their chemistry makes each shared look and accidental touch feel significant, drawing viewers in and making us root for them every step of the way.
Supporting performances are equally noteworthy. The best friend duo brings laughs while also grounding the characters’ decisions in emotional truth. A quirky coworker subplot adds levity, and even the skeptical family members add authentic layers instead of feeling like stock character types.
Direction and Cinematography
Visually, Heart Eyes is as playful as its title suggests. The cinematography balances vibrant, bustling cityscapes with tender, close-up moments, allowing audiences to feel both the public spectacle and the private intimacy of the characters’ journey. The director also uses clever visual motifs—like flashes of phone screens, reflections in windows, or little background gags—that remind us of love’s omnipresence in our shared digital spaces.
The pacing is brisk but never rushed, with moments of comedic chaos followed by heartfelt quiet. This balance prevents the movie from tipping too far into farce or melodrama, maintaining a tone that feels grounded and universally appealing.
Writing and Dialogue
The screenplay is packed with crisp, clever writing. Instead of recycling tired one-liners, it leans into contemporary humor, smart references, and self-aware nods to classic rom-coms. The dialogue feels organic, avoiding the sort of stilted exchanges that sometimes weigh down romance films.
One of the movie’s strengths is how it layers humor and vulnerability. Characters aren’t afraid to make fun of each other, but the jokes always serve to deepen their connection, not just to get cheap laughs. It’s the kind of writing that makes the audience feel like they’re watching real conversations unfold rather than scripted witticisms.
Strengths
- Magnetic on-screen chemistry between the leads
- A refreshing mix of modern themes and timeless romance
- Stylish, energetic direction with an eye for detail
- Smart writing that captures both humor and heart
- A payoff that leaves audiences walking out with a smile
Weaknesses
- Predictable arcs—rom-com aficionados will see the conclusion coming from a mile away
- A few subplots, particularly involving side characters, feel underdeveloped or abruptly wrapped up
- At times, the “social media angle” is played a little too heavily, slightly detracting from the intimacy of the central romance
Overall Experience
Heart Eyes doesn’t set out to revolutionize the rom-com formula—it sets out to celebrate it. And in doing so, the film succeeds as both a crowd-pleaser and a thoughtful reflection on how digital culture influences relationships today. It’s romantic without being sappy, funny without trying too hard, and emotionally resonant without feeling manipulative.
If you’re someone who grew up loving the classics—think When Harry Met Sally or 10 Things I Hate About You—you’ll find plenty of nostalgic joy here. But you’ll also get a modernized rom-com that feels relevant in 2025, celebrating messy, unexpected love in the age of viral fame.
Rating: 4/5