Heart Eyes (2024) – Movie Summary
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Director: Josh Greenbaum
Starring: Joel Courtney, Alexandra Daddario, Donald Faison, and Liza Koshy
Release Date: 2024
Plot Overview
Heart Eyes is a quirky, offbeat romantic comedy that thrives on awkward moments, wild coincidences, and the undeniable chemistry of two wildly different people trying to survive a chaotic city on the most romantic day of the year—Valentine's Day.
The story centers around Jack (Joel Courtney), a hopeless romantic and greeting card writer who’s become disillusioned with love after a devastating breakup. Jack believes that true love exists only in the carefully crafted lines of his own cards, but not in real life. He hides behind his work and avoids Valentine’s Day like the plague.
Enter Molly (Alexandra Daddario), a bold, sarcastic, and emotionally guarded woman who treats Valentine’s Day with the kind of disdain typically reserved for tax season. She's just been dumped by her long-term boyfriend in the most humiliating way—during a surprise proposal at a crowded restaurant, where she was supposed to be the one doing the proposing.
The two meet by chance—thanks to a mix-up at a costume shop where Jack is forced to wear a giant “heart eyes” emoji suit for a last-minute Valentine's Day promotional event. Molly, seeking to mock the ridiculousness of the holiday, snaps a photo of him and posts it on social media with the hashtag #LoveIsAClown.
The image goes viral overnight.
Unknowingly linked by this meme, Jack and Molly keep running into each other throughout the day in a series of hilarious and touching encounters across New York City. Each interaction forces them to confront their past traumas, failed relationships, and emotional defenses.
Jack is sensitive and wears his heart on his sleeve (literally, in the emoji suit), while Molly is sharp-witted and guarded. Their conflicting personalities make for an entertaining “will-they-won’t-they” dynamic that keeps audiences rooting for them.
As the day progresses, Molly challenges Jack to prove that love isn't just a fantasy written on paper, while Jack dares her to admit that maybe she’s afraid of love because it’s real—and unpredictable. The emotional tension builds through mishaps involving exes, karaoke battles, a Valentine’s Day singles brunch gone wrong, and a stolen taxi cab that leads to a heart-to-heart in the backseat.
The supporting cast, including Donald Faison as Jack’s sarcastic but wise best friend Reggie, and Liza Koshy as Molly’s overenthusiastic roommate Zoe, add a lot of energy and comedic relief to the film.
In the climax, Molly storms off after believing Jack used her story to write a new line of viral Valentine’s Day cards without asking. Feeling betrayed, she retreats into her shell once more. Jack, devastated, realizes he’s been hiding behind fictional love rather than fighting for the real thing.
With the help of Reggie and Zoe, Jack makes a grand gesture—not with a cliché proposal, but by using Molly’s own words in a rewritten ad campaign about real love: messy, unpredictable, and honest. He shows up, not in costume, but as himself—nervous, vulnerable, and genuinely in love.
Molly, finally letting her guard down, responds not with a kiss, but by writing her own greeting card—a single sentence that says everything: “You don’t have to be perfect. Just be real.”
They kiss. Cue the confetti cannons, awkwardly placed doves, and a flash mob organized by Zoe without anyone’s permission.
Themes and Tone
Heart Eyes walks a fine line between modern cynicism and traditional romance. While it pokes fun at the absurdity of Valentine’s Day commercialization, it ultimately embraces love in all its forms—flawed, spontaneous, and real.
The tone is lighthearted but surprisingly introspective at times. Through Jack and Molly’s emotional journeys, the film explores how fear and vulnerability shape the way we love—and avoid love.
Questions & Answers
1: What does the title “Heart Eyes” represent?
Literally, it refers to the heart eyes emoji costume Jack wears, which becomes a symbol of public love. Metaphorically, it represents how we idealize love—seeing it with “heart eyes” instead of clear vision. Both Jack and Molly must learn to see each other not as ideals, but as real people.
2: How does the film stand out from other romantic comedies?
While it follows some rom-com conventions (meet-cute, opposites attract, grand gesture), Heart Eyes stands out with its sharp dialogue, social media satire, and deeper emotional honesty. It modernizes the genre by blending memes with meaningful character growth.
3: What kind of character is Molly, and why is she relatable?
Molly is emotionally armored and witty—someone who’s been hurt and uses sarcasm to protect herself. Many people relate to her fear of vulnerability and her skepticism about love in a world full of curated Instagram relationships.
4: What does Jack learn over the course of the film?
Jack learns that love isn’t about perfection or poetic words—it’s about honesty, risk, and presence. He stops hiding behind his greeting cards and begins to fight for something real, even if it’s messy or uncertain.
5: Is the movie just about romantic love?
Not at all. Heart Eyes also explores friendship, self-worth, and the power of emotional honesty. Jack and Reggie’s friendship, Zoe’s unwavering support of Molly, and even how strangers interact in the city on Valentine’s Day—each reflects different forms of love.
6: What role does social media play in the story?
Social media acts as both a catalyst and a commentary. The viral photo of Jack in the emoji suit propels the story forward, but it also reflects how easily public perception can shape private experiences. It questions whether our online selves help or hinder our real connections.
Q7: Does the film have a happy ending?
A: Yes, but not in the typical “happily ever after” way. Instead of a wedding or a final declaration of love, the film ends with Molly and Jack choosing to try—knowing love is uncertain but worth the effort. It’s hopeful, grounded, and emotionally satisfying.
Q8: Would this movie appeal to people who don’t usually like rom-coms?
A: Definitely. Its modern humor, self-awareness, and emotional depth make it appealing even to rom-com skeptics. It’s as much about finding yourself as it is about finding someone else.