This girl cannot be this stupid. Dude is an outcast nerd with creepy and violent tendencies. I understand the girl has no self esteem or whatever, but any logical human would have run after the confession in the pool. It's like a cheap knockoff of the movie Fear. Coolest part is that Sam's mom wore a Slayer shirt toward the end.
49 Reviews
Good premise, poor execution
lune7825 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
While the acting is top-notch and the first half-hour is very promising, the film never quite finds its identity and constantly switches between romance, slasher flick and psychological drama. Not to mention that the ending is extremely anticlimactic, predictable and unsatisfying.It's also hard to root for Sam, who in the end realizes she really did love Henry, although he was a serial killer and a psychopath.
Very disappointing, to say the least.
Very disappointing, to say the least.
I HATE THIS FREAKING MOVIE
whatch-1793118 October 2020
The first act is so great.
Even the second act starts so well...
There is so much earnest acting here, it's really depressing how far south this goes. Gilchrist's acting is certainly solid.
And it really goes so far off the rails, its surreal. It's not implausible it goes where it goes, but sheesh....
Even the second act starts so well...
There is so much earnest acting here, it's really depressing how far south this goes. Gilchrist's acting is certainly solid.
And it really goes so far off the rails, its surreal. It's not implausible it goes where it goes, but sheesh....
Another Nonsensical Movie
clintstevens11 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This story makes absolutely no sense. A high school girl, Sam, who apparently has had sex with just about everyone at her school, meets a dweeby boy, Henry, who is extremely intelligent and is going to attend MIT. He falls head over heels in love with her, but unfortunately, she doesn't return the favor. She is just content with giving him hand jobs and finally hopping into the sack with him, where he loses his virginity. His unrequited love appears to push him over the edge and he starts to do away with anyone he thinks has had a sexual encounter with her. Evidently, the police in this town have no clue on how to solve these murders, but we have to take that for granted, as the police play no part in the story. When he thinks his mother is trying to break up his 'love affair' he tells her he could easily kill her, using her coffee mug (huh?). The climax of the film comes as no surprise, but what is surprising is Sam's regret for never telling Henry she loved him even if he WAS a serial killer, but that doesn't stop her from working through her grief by falling into the arms and bed of her high school teacher. Such nonsense.
Surpringly Good "Straight to DVD" Movie
timsaunders2323 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I wasn't expecting much from this one and certainly, there's nothing original about this boy-meets-girl-boy-becomes-creepy-obsessive plot, but for what it is, it's fairly well done.
It's well paced, with fairly good acting and dialogue. My main gripe *spoilers ahead* is that the movie completely ignores the police investigation into the murder of Henry's first victim. I felt a couple of scenes with the police questioning Henry and some of the other kids could've been added to what was a fairly short running time.
All in all, nothing special, but worth a look.
It's well paced, with fairly good acting and dialogue. My main gripe *spoilers ahead* is that the movie completely ignores the police investigation into the murder of Henry's first victim. I felt a couple of scenes with the police questioning Henry and some of the other kids could've been added to what was a fairly short running time.
All in all, nothing special, but worth a look.
Entertaining spin on high school summer romance flick...
HowieRS15 January 2018
All around pretty solid movie, well acted, shot, edited, etc. Some might not care for the direction the plot takes in the second half, but I found it quite engaging.
While it did require some suspension of disbelief at times, it wasn't immersion-breaking imo.
Please don't romanticize abusive relationships.
yeezypeep19 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
A girl meets a boy who purposely messed with her car so that he would come to her rescue. Already weird. He kills one of her former flings. He threatens his mother when she says he should put school before the girl. When the girl is muorning the death of her fling she innocently goofs off with a platonic male friend (at a party.) Boy doesn't like that so he attacks the male friend and hits girl so hard she has a giant bruise on her breast area for the rest of the movie. He break into her room while she sleeps... she wakes up and he threatens suicide if she were to leave him. REALLY WEIRD. Boy kills that platonic male friend later of course. He convinces girl to come over for a platonic dinner. Surprise, his mother is tied in another room and when girl discovers this, boy threatens to kill mom. Reveals how he killed her friends. Basically this story ends with mom escaping and boy killing himself because he realizes he can't contain the girl.
Can the creator of this movie explain why this girl says something along the lines of "my biggest regret is never telling you that I love you" at the end of the movie?Yes, she regrets telling this abusive killer that she didn't say that she loved him.
This movie tries to rip off Fear, but Fear is actually good and doesn't empathize with the abuser. We celebrate the abuser being taken down in Fear. Hearttrob is just a more abusive version of Twilight, with a Lifetime script.
Can the creator of this movie explain why this girl says something along the lines of "my biggest regret is never telling you that I love you" at the end of the movie?Yes, she regrets telling this abusive killer that she didn't say that she loved him.
This movie tries to rip off Fear, but Fear is actually good and doesn't empathize with the abuser. We celebrate the abuser being taken down in Fear. Hearttrob is just a more abusive version of Twilight, with a Lifetime script.
Special kind of crazy
kosmasp17 April 2018
Movies like these are tough, in more than one sense. Tough to make without dipping too much into cliches, tough to watch (for a variety of reasons mostly), tough for the actors to convince. Now I wouldn't call this a home run (read success on all fronts), but it does have an eerie feeling that kind of floats and runs through the whole movie.
The actors are doing their best and while some things seem improbable to say the least, the movie still holds onto some twisted logic. Although human emotion and perspective can not always be labelled as such. And that is more or less what you can expect from this. While it is about love, it is actually more about obsession and about possesion and about having something. About feeling something and not regarding how that effects others. About not being clear and about many other emotional things ... which can be considered strange when you think about how cold the movie probably will leave you
The actors are doing their best and while some things seem improbable to say the least, the movie still holds onto some twisted logic. Although human emotion and perspective can not always be labelled as such. And that is more or less what you can expect from this. While it is about love, it is actually more about obsession and about possesion and about having something. About feeling something and not regarding how that effects others. About not being clear and about many other emotional things ... which can be considered strange when you think about how cold the movie probably will leave you
Yikes
heatherbellini24 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I was really excited to watch this movie since I am such a fan of Atypical. What a terrible message to send to young girls.... so the lead female character is basically saying that if she would have just said "I love you" back then dude wouldn't have gone on a psycho jealousy killing spree? Garbage.
Enjoyable film
brandon-heys5 September 2018
What Did I Just Watch?
ingridnaimy17 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This gotta be one of the worst movies I have seen lately. It started ok, even interesting, although it felt a little forced sometimes, but it went down hill from there. So, this teenager boy is infatuated by this teenager girl, and since it looks like is his first love, he whom I believe suffers from some mental illness, started to stalk and listen to her conversation on the phone, which records every little breath she takes and then he starts to kill anyone that has any contact with her. After one of her friends death, by the boy, she experiences her first physical abuse from him, even unintentionally he hits her. She starts to be a little afraid of him, and distances herself. On an attempt to apologize, he invites her to dinner where he has his mother tied up in her bedroom and the girl finds her and he threats to kill them with a knife. They both run from him, the girl helps the mother to scape and she stay with the boy who stabs himself and die. The end. Yep... she never finds out that he killed her friends, the police is incognito. She never finds out he was tapping her conversation with her friends. The movie just end with her declaring her love for him. Again... THE END. Soooo pointless. Besides the acting is so bad, the direction so poor... SKIP IT while you can.
So much more than your typical "romance gone wrong" movie
jtindahouse19 January 2018
I had no idea what to expect going in to 'Heartthrob'. I've enjoyed some of Keir Gilchrist's previous performances and that was enough to convince me to see it. It then proceeded to start off a little slowly and I was getting a bit of a "seen it all before" vibe. By the end of the film though I was absolutely blown away.
Firstly, Keir Gilchrist is hauntingly good in his performance here. I believed his character and therefore was able to understand and be impacted by him. Every emotion he felt throughout the movie the audience feels too through his fantastic portrayal. This was an enormous part of what made this film so good.
Secondly, it is a genuinely dark film. It holds nothing back. The writing would almost have to be called masterful in places. In particular the ending. Endings to films are often considered one of the hardest things for film makers to get right. 'Heartthrob' does it about as good as any film I can remember. The final 2-3 minutes are heart-breaking, thought-provoking and intriguing all at the same time. To say I loved this film is an understatement. Please see it if you get the chance.
Firstly, Keir Gilchrist is hauntingly good in his performance here. I believed his character and therefore was able to understand and be impacted by him. Every emotion he felt throughout the movie the audience feels too through his fantastic portrayal. This was an enormous part of what made this film so good.
Secondly, it is a genuinely dark film. It holds nothing back. The writing would almost have to be called masterful in places. In particular the ending. Endings to films are often considered one of the hardest things for film makers to get right. 'Heartthrob' does it about as good as any film I can remember. The final 2-3 minutes are heart-breaking, thought-provoking and intriguing all at the same time. To say I loved this film is an understatement. Please see it if you get the chance.
The dark side to the intensity
sac010613 April 2019
Going Over to the Dark Side
lavatch28 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The first third of "Heartthrob" gave the impression of a coming-of-age film with the budding romance of young Samantha (Sam) Maddox with the school's valedictorian, Henry Sinclair. Then, the mood shifted over to the dark side with the emergence of Henry as a monster. The snooty TNT twins (Tina and Tasha) provided some comic relief. But the film failed to juggle different styles of light comedy, romance, and the horror genre.
The deeply troubling summer at Tacoma includes multiple fatalities with Sky's friends Bailey and Dustin murdered in cold blood. There was no police presence or investigation into the deaths by any of the characters. Even more troubling is that Sky fails to recognize the violent side of Henry after he physically abuses her and attacks her former high school teacher in the restaurant where she works.
Sky was such a well-balanced, self-confident character that it stretched credibility that she could not recognize the danger signs in Henry. The most memorable moments in the film were the early scenes, including strolls on the beach and roller skating. The film then fell apart with a by-the-numbers psycho on the loose film.
Stylistically, the film was a hodgepodge. The asides spoken by Sky directly to the audience at the end did not work, despite the convincing characterization of the fine actress playing Sky. And a strange "double" scene occurred with Sky seemingly talking to her mother and to Henry simultaneously.
The best scenes were the simple ones, such as the great one-liners of Sky's friend Cleo at the restaurant where she opines that "love is what happens when you are making other plans." How true!
The deeply troubling summer at Tacoma includes multiple fatalities with Sky's friends Bailey and Dustin murdered in cold blood. There was no police presence or investigation into the deaths by any of the characters. Even more troubling is that Sky fails to recognize the violent side of Henry after he physically abuses her and attacks her former high school teacher in the restaurant where she works.
Sky was such a well-balanced, self-confident character that it stretched credibility that she could not recognize the danger signs in Henry. The most memorable moments in the film were the early scenes, including strolls on the beach and roller skating. The film then fell apart with a by-the-numbers psycho on the loose film.
Stylistically, the film was a hodgepodge. The asides spoken by Sky directly to the audience at the end did not work, despite the convincing characterization of the fine actress playing Sky. And a strange "double" scene occurred with Sky seemingly talking to her mother and to Henry simultaneously.
The best scenes were the simple ones, such as the great one-liners of Sky's friend Cleo at the restaurant where she opines that "love is what happens when you are making other plans." How true!
Leadcharacter saves it a bit
tha_cyberkiller13 October 2018
I saw the Atypical show on Netflix and it made me watch this movie.
With a potentionally interesting script it is poorly executed. Keir Chilchrist (Henry) is pretty good as MIT-student-to-be and strubbling with the first love in his life. He is good enough to be convincing toch be the twisted boyfriend. But also kind enough to be the good guy he also is.
But the leading girl (Sam) is a lot less convinsing. She supposted tot be the popular girl but I don't buy it for a second. But that is the least of the problems.
Like said by people before. The script is bad. A lot of things just don't add up and the conclusion does not make any sense. Actions of characters seem to have no consequences for others than themselfs. It looks like characters are so naïef but suprisingly they get away with everything.
The ending is so bizarre that I don't know what tot think about any character.
I would watch a different movie.
With a potentionally interesting script it is poorly executed. Keir Chilchrist (Henry) is pretty good as MIT-student-to-be and strubbling with the first love in his life. He is good enough to be convincing toch be the twisted boyfriend. But also kind enough to be the good guy he also is.
But the leading girl (Sam) is a lot less convinsing. She supposted tot be the popular girl but I don't buy it for a second. But that is the least of the problems.
Like said by people before. The script is bad. A lot of things just don't add up and the conclusion does not make any sense. Actions of characters seem to have no consequences for others than themselfs. It looks like characters are so naïef but suprisingly they get away with everything.
The ending is so bizarre that I don't know what tot think about any character.
I would watch a different movie.
I think of it as statement
campbellzachc13 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This movie should make you think twice about the people you date.
The point she makes about how he knew her the way no one else ever did--from her perspective is terrifyingly accurate. Because, no one could ever know her that well, without his creepy technology (that she never found out about). I think the film got a great message out there. The ending sets you at ridiculous unease... because they're trying to show the damage a controlling person can have, even after the control subject is gone, after it's all over--the difficulties of trust and love later. Because the victim connected with the false love, whether they knew it was fake or not. It's deeply damaging, and I respect this film for that.
Could have used cops, I guess, but I think that would have distracted from the exaggerated point they're making and effectively ruined the plot rather quickly. (I mean, spongebob drinks water under water, so...)
Positive societal influence and good acting are 10/10. Lack of reality brought it down to 7.
The point she makes about how he knew her the way no one else ever did--from her perspective is terrifyingly accurate. Because, no one could ever know her that well, without his creepy technology (that she never found out about). I think the film got a great message out there. The ending sets you at ridiculous unease... because they're trying to show the damage a controlling person can have, even after the control subject is gone, after it's all over--the difficulties of trust and love later. Because the victim connected with the false love, whether they knew it was fake or not. It's deeply damaging, and I respect this film for that.
Could have used cops, I guess, but I think that would have distracted from the exaggerated point they're making and effectively ruined the plot rather quickly. (I mean, spongebob drinks water under water, so...)
Positive societal influence and good acting are 10/10. Lack of reality brought it down to 7.
What did I just watch?
NYAmicas29 January 2018
The movie is watchable but you may end up regretting it. It's about a teenage love gone inexplicably wrong. Nothing about that is very interesting and the relationship turns wrong as quickly as it starts. However, the acting of the main actress, the object of the obsessed boyfriend's affections was in question. There were two intense scenes in which she looked like she was about to laugh and once she actually chuckled. Did they not edit the movie? I dont get it, it really was distracting and made me wonder how she got the part.
"Manic pixie dream girl" meets the idiot boy she is supposed to save, but she is his undoing instead, and it's all her fault... because the writer/director says so.
taversia15 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This was one of the most blatantly and unabashedly toxic messages I have ever seen presented in a film. It is, nevertheless, an entertaining watch.
I was wondering how it would end... what sort of statement would be made... Boy, did I NOT see that coming! I was utterly appalled. I will probably show this movie to a friend or two, someday, in the future, as a conversation piece.
I will probably laugh hysterically at the way this ended on the second watch, which I could not do the first time, because I was too busy picking my jaw up off the floor. It's crazy this came out in 2017, because it really feels like a decade or two behind the times.
Needless to say, incels would love this film, as all of the onus is placed on the female protagonist. She was supposed to "fix" this poor broken boy that she is responsible for destroying, and by the end of the film, is kicking herself for. Alongside the director/writer.
The last time I watched a film and had the rug ripped out from under me like that in its very last moments, in such an absurd way, it was The Purge (2013). This is not a compliment.
Nobody owes you their love. Do better.
I was wondering how it would end... what sort of statement would be made... Boy, did I NOT see that coming! I was utterly appalled. I will probably show this movie to a friend or two, someday, in the future, as a conversation piece.
I will probably laugh hysterically at the way this ended on the second watch, which I could not do the first time, because I was too busy picking my jaw up off the floor. It's crazy this came out in 2017, because it really feels like a decade or two behind the times.
Needless to say, incels would love this film, as all of the onus is placed on the female protagonist. She was supposed to "fix" this poor broken boy that she is responsible for destroying, and by the end of the film, is kicking herself for. Alongside the director/writer.
The last time I watched a film and had the rug ripped out from under me like that in its very last moments, in such an absurd way, it was The Purge (2013). This is not a compliment.
Nobody owes you their love. Do better.
Don't understand everyone's problem with this film?
sam_j_keenan6 December 2018
I really enjoyed it, I'm not gonna spoil anything but it seems a lot of these other reviews didn't seem to get what the film was about.
There are a few things in this film that don't quite make sense but it's like that with any film, you're always gonna poke holes in films if you try to.
It's a nice love story, with a dark undertone of what jealously and other people's influences can do to a relationship. Great acting and definitely worth a watch.
Heartbreak
hulsegeorgia27 August 2019
Horrifying, not in the way a thriller should. Terrible plot the whole way but an especially bad ending - seems Chris Sivertson ran out of creativity and went with an attempt at romanticizing an abusive relationship/murderer.. really? The only reason this scored one star was due to Aubrey Peeples' performance.
Not bad, but way too unrealistic.
johannes2000-16 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Sure, there were things I liked about this movie. Although we've seen it all before (girl falls in love with what seems the ideal boy, who turns out to be in fact a dangerous maniac), the story is slowly built up, gradually tuning up the tension and revealing bit by bit the real person behind the friendly nerdy mask of Henry. The acting of both Aubrey Peeples and Keir Gilchrist is fine, especially Gilchrist makes a very believable and convincing weirdo.
It's the script however, that failed to convince me. The pairing of one of the most popular girls of school with one of the most nerdy boys (although this was of course the main premise) was executed just too unrealistic, for instance the speed with which Sam almost overnight fell for him. We keep seeing this improbable couple walk around, there is no chemistry and apart from his stated intelligence it's hard to imagine anything about him that should or could attract Sam, he never loosens up but always stays awkward and plain and serious. And the closing 5 minutes of the movie spoiled even the last credibility, when Sam, after having seen her lover turn into a murdering psycho, in a voice-over keeps declaring her undying love for him. Come-on, she seemed way too intelligent for that!
It's the script however, that failed to convince me. The pairing of one of the most popular girls of school with one of the most nerdy boys (although this was of course the main premise) was executed just too unrealistic, for instance the speed with which Sam almost overnight fell for him. We keep seeing this improbable couple walk around, there is no chemistry and apart from his stated intelligence it's hard to imagine anything about him that should or could attract Sam, he never loosens up but always stays awkward and plain and serious. And the closing 5 minutes of the movie spoiled even the last credibility, when Sam, after having seen her lover turn into a murdering psycho, in a voice-over keeps declaring her undying love for him. Come-on, she seemed way too intelligent for that!
Dumb dumb dumb dumb
afinuc1 October 2018
Control is not Love
sue-2852126 June 2018
Saw this and was deeply concerned in that this young girl confused this dysfunctional relationship to love. It is anything but love. Very disturbing for anyone to watch and think the boy was ok. He was dangerous and the young girl should have stayed away. She is lucky he did not kill her .
Waste of time
mahoneyrmh15 October 2018
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