The following contains spoilers for Heart Eyes and Companion, now playing in theaters
Heart Eyesis just the latest example of how good a specific horror sub-genre can be, and (alongside the previously releasedCompanion) sets the stage for a prolific year for the concept. In many ways,Heart Eyesis a very conventional horror film. The movie is a love-letter to slasher movies from previous eras, with the titular masked killer dispatching plenty of people in increasingly gory manners. However,Heart Eyes' charactersare also inhabiting a surprisingly sweet romance story, adding unexpectedly silly layers to the film.
It’s a similar trick accomplished byCompanion, which fused sci-fi, horror, and comedy into an effective exploration of toxic relationships. Despite being very different films,Heart EyesandCompanionare both ultimately examples of how goodhorror comedies can be at causing laughs and screams alike. The success of both films highlights how flexible and entertaining this horror sub-genre really is, and set off a very exciting 2025 for films that embrace both comedy and terror.
Heart Eyes And Companion Have Already Given 2025 Some Great Horror Comedies
Heart EyesAndCompanionAre Good Reminders That Horror Can Be Really Funny
Films likeHeart EyesandCompanionare solid additions to the pantheon of great horror comedies,a genre mashup that is set to have a very impressive year in 2025. BothHeart EyesandCompanionplay with their genre conventions to strong comedic effect, with the former poking fun at the slasher sub-genre whileCompanionplays sci-fi concepts for dark laughs. Both movies didn’t hold back on the gore, especiallyHeart Eyes. BothCompanionandHeart Eyesembrace the twists and turns of a good horror movie, but also never stop being funny commentaries on relationships and other genres.
8 Reasons Heart Eyes' Reviews Are So Positive
The Valentine’s Day slasher horror comedy Heart Eyes has already earned rave reviews from critics for its script, cast chemistry, genre mix and more.
The ultimate threat ofHeart Eyesis a classic slasher villain, albeit one with some surprisingly effective comedic elements. Similarly, the sci-fiCompanionexplores heavy themes about agency and toxic relationships through a murder mystery plot that steadily turns one of the seemingly nice characters into a monstrous representation of entitlement and casual cruelty.Heart EyesandCompanionboth feature some genuinely grisly death scenes and tense chances through tight environments, butboth films also never stop being funny in their own ways(whether that’s the character-driven beats ofCompanionor the sudden physical comedy ofHeart Eyes).
How Heart Eyes And Companion Work As Genre Fusions
Heart EyesAndCompanionAre More Than Just Funny Movies That Are Scary
The horror comedy is a fun fusion of two genres that operate in similar fashions. However, that sub-genre also actually has a lot of flexibility.Different approaches to both the comedy and horror genres can work in different ways, which is well illustrated by the differences betweenHeart EyesandCompanion.Heart Eyesis in many ways a conventional rom-com, with Ally and Jay’s romantic tension building into a rewarding love story. It follows the standard beats of that genre, but connects the complications and conflicts to the masked murderer who is chasing after them.
BothHeart EyesandCompanionremain effective horror films and funny comedies, even while playing with very different storytelling styles.
By contrast,Companionis a more introspective sci-fi story that embraces some horrifying (and darkly hilarious) turns). That film has a very different perspective on love, with a greater emphasis on questions of agency and honesty in relationships.Companionis also about relationships, but keeps the focus on a toxic one that quickly gives way to murder. Those sci-fi elements fit well intoCompanion’s story, especially as Jack Quaid’s Josh evolves into a genuinely frightening character. BothHeart EyesandCompanionremain effective horror films and funny comedies, even while playing with very different storytelling styles.
2025 Has Plenty More Horror Comedies Coming Up
There Are A Dozen Horror/Comedy Films Set To Debut Over The Course Of 2025
Heart EyesandCompanionare both very solid horror comedies, but they’re also only among the first of the sub-genre mashup to be released in 2025. The year is poised to have several similar releases, whichhighlights the strength of the fusion as an underlying concept. Many play with the same self-aware sense of comedy that can be found inHeart Eyesor experiment with multiple genres likeCompanionorPeter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare. The grim comedy ofThe Monkeyis already earning critical acclaim, while the meta-commentary ofUntil Dawnpokes fun at a wide breadth of horror tropes.
M3GAN 2.0
Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble
TBD
The self-aware absurdity of the Twisted Childhood Universe is set to continue and build toPoohniverse: Monsters Assemble, while the newAnacondafilm starring Jack Black and Paul Rudd will likely follow a similar track. A24’sDeath of a Unicornintroduces a monstrous version of the mythological beast, while new entries in theM3GAN,Final DestinationandFive Nights at Freddy’sfranchises will likely bring some darkly comic deaths to the big screen.Heart EyesandCompanionare just the beginning for a hilariously horrific year,which could be a stand-out period for the horror/comedy sub-genre.
