‘Heart Eyes’: Director Josh Ruben Talks Slasher-Rom-Com Mashups, Working With Christopher Landon, & His Sci-Fi Movie Featuring Tatiana Maslany [The Discourse Podcast]

Nothing says romance like flowers, chocolates – and a masked serial killer terrorizing young couples. Welcome to “Heart Eyes,” the latest horror-romantic comedy hybrid that slashes into theaters on February 7—just in time to make Valentine’s Day a little bloodier. In this episode of The Discourse, host Mike DeAngelo sits down with director Josh Ruben to talk about the challenge of blending rom-com sweetness with slasher-movie carnage, his deep love of horror, and why this story stands apart from others in the genre. Written by Christopher Landon, Phillip Murphy, and Michael Kennedy, “Heart Eyes” follows a masked killer who has made February 14 a date night to die for, quite literally. The film stars Olivia Holt, Mason Gooding, Devon Sawa, Jordana Brewster, and more.

During the interview, Director Josh Ruben details the delicate balancing act of making “Heart Eyes” work on all fronts. “I didn’t want it to be too funny—I wanted it to go darker, gorier,” Ruben admitted. But at the same time, the romance had to feel genuine. “If I could find two leads with real chemistry, I could pay loving homage to the rom-coms I grew up on—’Pretty Woman,’ ‘Defending Your Life,’ ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding,’ even ‘Big.”

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And while the love story had to feel authentic, the horror elements couldn’t be an afterthought. Ruben took inspiration from one of the best slasher sequels ever made, in his opinion: ‘Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives.’ “I wanted him to be a new Jason, but the fan-fulfillment version with a fully built-out tool belt,” he explained.

Of course, even the sharpest script can fall apart without the right actors, and Ruben knew casting would make or break the film. “If your leads don’t have chemistry or they’re caught trying to be funny, you’re dead in the water,” he said. Fortunately, Mason Gooding and Olivia Holt brought exactly what was needed. Gooding, already familiar with the genre thanks to ‘Scream,’ was immediately on board. “This was a great opportunity—not just to lead a film, but to be a romantic lead while also getting drenched in blood and fighting,” Ruben said. “He was all in.”

For Ruben, “Heart Eyes” also represents a step into the studio world after indie horror hits like “Scare Me” and “Werewolves Within.” Making that leap meant working alongside someone who has mastered horror-comedy: Christopher Landon, the filmmaker behind “Freaky” and “Happy Death Day.” “Chris has done this before. This is my first studio rodeo, and he’s been an incredible guardian angel, mentor, and bulldog all rolled into one.”

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Beyond “Heart Eyes,” Ruben has found himself unexpectedly recognized for something completely different—his appearances on improv comedy game show, “Make Some Noise” via Dropout TV. The show has garnered a fanbase via social media channels posting clips on outlets like TikTok. “Ninety-nine percent of the time, people recognize me from [Make Some Noise]. The horror community is the rest,” he laughed. “But it’s fun when they realize I do both.”

As for what’s next? Ruben is diving into a brand-new project—an alien invasion thriller starring Tatiana Maslany and Jasmin Savoy Brown. “It’s funny, dark as hell, and action-packed,” he teased, with filming set to begin soon. But don’t think he’s leaving “Heart Eyes” behind just yet. If he has his way, the masked killer will be back. “You can take any rom-com setup and drop the Heart Eyes Killer in the middle of it,” he joked. “I just want a scene where the characters sing ‘I Say a Little Prayer for You’ and someone sees the killer lurking across the room.”

“Heart Eyes” arrives in theaters on February 7. You can listen to the full interview below:

The Playlist Presents – Josh Ruben’s Film/TV Recommendation Playlist:

“Pretty Woman” (1990)
“Defending Your Life” (1991)
“My Best Friend’s Wedding” (1997)
“Sleepless in Seattle” (1993)
“Big” (1988)
“Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives” (1986)
“A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984)

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