They broke his heart in middle school—now he’s breaking theirs, one by one
Valentine (2001) is a slasher horror film that dresses its terror in red roses and masked romance. Directed by Jamie Blanks, this early-2000s thriller delivers a chilling reminder that sometimes the people we hurt never forget—and never forgive. Set against the backdrop of Valentine’s Day, the film turns the holiday of love into a blood-soaked game of revenge, secrets, and shattered hearts.
The story follows a group of childhood friends—Kate, Paige, Dorothy, Lily, and Shelley—each leading seemingly glamorous lives years after high school. But when they start receiving strange, ominous Valentine cards and are stalked by a killer wearing a cherub mask, their past comes back to haunt them—literally. One by one, they fall victim to brutal murders, all connected to a cruel prank they played on a shy, awkward boy at a middle school dance years ago.
As the bodies pile up, suspicion spreads among the group. Is it a bitter ex? A jealous boyfriend? Or has Jeremy Melton—the boy they once humiliated—come back under a new face, wielding vengeance in the name of love? Valentine thrives on tension, using traditional slasher tropes like eerie phone calls, red herrings, and stylized kills, all while wrapping them in glossy, early-2000s fashion and aesthetics.
While it never reached the iconic status of Scream or I Know What You Did Last Summer, Valentine has developed a cult following over time for its unique blend of romanticism and horror. It explores how childhood cruelty can fester into adult consequences, and how masks—both literal and emotional—can hide the darkest intentions. The film isn’t just a slasher; it’s a commentary on rejection, shame, and the desperate need to be loved... even if it kills.
In the end, Valentine (2001) reminds us that love can be dangerous, and that some hearts never heal—they just get sharper.
