Why 'romhor' has become a major film genre in 2025

The new genre, unofficially called romance horror (romhor), reflects the anxieties associated with modern dating, dating apps and social expectations.

Despite attempts by studios to revive the genre - from Anyone But You to Materialists - most new romcoms have failed, writes Harper's Bazaar India.

Lack of chemistry between actors, formulaic scripts and a complete absence of 'magic' on screen have made modern love stories bland and quickly forgettable. Even with names like Julia Roberts or Pedro Pascal, audiences have not felt the same excitement.

Against this background, "romantic horror" - films in which love and fear go hand in hand - are rapidly gaining popularity. In "Companion" an artificial intelligence girl begins to take revenge on her boyfriend. In "Drop," a widow receives threats to kill her beau. In "Heart Eyes," a loving couple fights a maniac on Valentine's Day. And in "Together," the couple's bodies literally begin to merge in a rustic house - a frightening symbol of fusion in marriage.

The authors of such films use classic horror tropes to convey the reality of modern dating: fear of intimacy, betrayal, violence, loneliness. They recognise - the dating world has become a battlefield. But even amidst the blood and fear, these stories are full of hope: it is not love that is evil, but an external enemy. Often the source of horror is not the partner, but society, power or man-made disasters.

Films like Heart Eyes wink at the audience, reminding them of classic romcoms: airport scenes, references to Love Actually and Crazy, Stupid, Love. But they also leave room for symbolism, unexpected twists and turns, and even catharsis - because the bad guy usually gets what he deserves at the end.

The romhor genre, critics say, is better adapted to the realities of the 21st century than the moralising and boring modern romantic comedies. It recognises the chaos, trauma and absurdity of our time, but still leaves room for faith in true love - albeit after deadly trials.