Creating a successful horror romantic comedy is a skillful balancing act. Too much bloodshed can turn off viewers seeking fun with a hint of danger, while an overload of romance can feel as tiresome as a cliché like “Sweet Home Alabama” (which is often so bad it becomes unintentionally scary).

The slasher film “Heart Eyes” (★★★ out of four; rated R; hitting theaters on Friday) takes a bold, bloody approach to this recipe. While it skillfully navigates both genres, it offers a gritty thrill ride with engaging performances and a captivating premise: a masked killer arrives in a new city to target couples every Valentine’s Day.

This year’s chaos unfolds in Seattle, but the residents appear surprisingly unconcerned. Ally (Olivia Holt), however, has her own issues that outweigh the possibility of becoming the Heart Eyes Killer’s next target (often abbreviated as HEK). She’s nursing the wounds of a recent breakup while struggling to create a standout advertising campaign for a jewelry brand. Her latest idea revolves around star-crossed lovers—more Grim Reaper than Cupid—and she fears her eccentric boss (Michaela Watkins) might terminate her employment.

This sets the stage for a classic meet-cute. At a café, Ally unexpectedly encounters the dashing Jay (Mason Gooding), and they bond over their favorite espresso while inadvertently bumping into each other. Just when it seems like fate has brought them together, he turns out to be the marketing expert assigned to rescue her project.

A work dinner only widens the gap between Ally, who is cynical about love, and the hopeful Jay. In a moment of impulse, she kisses Jay to make her ex jealous, unaware that HEK happens to witness this, leading to a relentless chase that transforms their evening into a mix of horror and unexpected intimacy. (Let’s just say dodging arrows tends to bring people closer.)

Director Josh Ruben (“Werewolves Within”) and co-writer Christopher Landon (“Happy Death Day”) masterfully blend styles in the horror genre. While “Heart Eyes” may echo their previous successes less inventively—falling into familiar rom-com tropes and culminating in a climax that aligns too closely with standard slasher formulas—it still packs a punch.

Fortunately, the Heart Eyes Killer stands out in appearance and method. The glowing heart-shaped eyes on his mask add a clever touch—enhanced by night vision capabilities—proving handy for his murderous pursuits. This killer’s penchant for leaving victims in a gory mess is reflected in his leather getup, complete with a utility belt filled with sharp tools, though he’s not above improvising with whatever’s handy, like a tire iron or a wine press. As a horror fan, witnessing a head crushed in a wine press is an unforgettable experience.

Holt and Gooding are a delight to watch as they navigate danger, with their roles occasionally flipping traditional gender expectations. Jay’s muscular build, coupled with his humorous quip, “These muscles were not made for violence, they were made for cuddling!” adds to their charm. Including familiar faces from late ’90s/2000s horror, like Devon Sawa and Jordana Brewster as the investigating officers, is a nice homage.

“Heart Eyes” is more delectable than a box of conversation hearts, featuring wildly entertaining kills and largely sticking to its genre conventions. If it manages to entice even one horror-averse partner to join in on the fun, that’s a bloody victory.