Devon Sawa Would 'Love' to Star in a Traditional Rom-Com After Recent Horror Roles: 'So Much Fun' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Devon Sawa forHeart Eyes(2025).Photo:Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Sony Pictures

Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Sony Pictures

Devon Sawais open to onscreen love.

The 46-year-old actor and former teen heartthrob stars inHeart Eyes, a slasher from directorJosh Rubenthat spans both horror and rom-com genres.

Sawa is known as much for horror as his more family-friendly movies likeCasperandLittle Giantsearly in his career, and he tells PEOPLE he “would love” to appear in a traditional romantic comedy, should the opportunity arise.

“I love horror, but I’m all about exploring everything,” says Sawa, who made a name for himself in horror with movies likeIdle Hands(1999) andFinal Destination(2000), as well as the Syfy and USA Network seriesChuckymore recently.

“ASleepless in a Seattle, that kind of movie. I would love that. I think it would be so much fun,” he adds.

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Jordana Brewster, Devon Sawa and Mason Gooding inHeart Eyes(2025).Christopher Moss

Christopher Moss

Sawa plays a supporting role as Detective Hobbs alongsideJordana Brewster’s Detective Shaw (yes, there may be a hat-tip joke referencing another fast-paced film franchise that Brewster, 44, is part of in those character names).

The rest of the supporting cast includesGigi ZumbadoandMichaela Watkins, with a screenplay from Phillip Murphy, Christopher Landon and Michael Kennedy.

Josh Ruben (center) on the set ofHeart Eyes(2025) with Jordana Brewster and Mason Gooding.Christopher Moss

Heart Eyesis fitting for a Valentine’s Day date movie since it is “equal parts romantic and scary,” Ruben, 41, tells PEOPLE. “We commit to both genres. So there truly is something for everyone.”

As for Sawa, “I am a massive fan of Devon’s from his horror era,” the director says. “I loved thatDon Manciniand crew cast him in theChuckyseries. I love that he is having, as they’re saying, a Sawa-nessance. And that he appeared inHacks, I love.”

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Sawa tells PEOPLE thatHeart Eyesis more than just a “great Valentine’s Day” movie — rather, it’s “unique” and adds to the slasher genre in a way “that hasn’t been done” before, likeIdle HandsandFinal Destinationbefore it.

“But you gotta see it with an audience, because it’s likeFinal Destination, where people kind of feed off each other,” he adds, callingHeart Eyes"a bucket-of-popcorn kind of movie."

“Everybody’s going to be throwing their popcorn at the same time. I think it’s going to be one of those kind of films,” Sawa says.

Heart Eyesis theaters Feb. 7.

source: people.com