Netflix’s “Heart Shot” is a dramatic thriller short from acclaimed director Marielle Woods. It revolves around Sam and Nikki, a teenage lesbian couple who look forward to some alone time when the former’s family moves out of town. Unbeknownst to Sam, Nikki is hiding a dark secret that threatens to ruin their lives. As they begin to tell each other their future dreams, hopes, and stories, Nikki’s violent past eventually catches up with her and causes disaster. Thus, she finds herself torn between saving her love or saving herself.
The gripping narrative and shocking ending of “Heart Shot” has a profound impact on the viewer’s mind and raises many questions about past trauma and family dynamics. Moreover, the intriguing title arouses curiosity about its relevance. If you too want to find out what this means, we have all the information to satisfy your mind. Let’s dive! FRONT SPOILERS.
What is the meaning of the title Heart Shot?
In “Heart Shot”, Nikki flees her tumultuous past. She hides a sinister secret that makes her act all jittery and nervous. Her fear makes her extremely defensive and engages in petty crimes to survive. Additionally, she tends to lie and is elusive about her family and background. The anxious rhythm of her heart is symbolized by the background score, indicating that she could explode at any moment with the burden of her secrets. On the other hand, the title is more a representation of his internal dialogue.
A troubled Nikki finds love in Sam, who is the complete opposite of her. She is confident and belongs in a secure environment, with future goals and plans. Despite her mother’s apprehensions, Sam invites Nikki to her home when her family leaves town for two days. When she tries to ask Nikki more about her equation with her sisters, she dodges her questions. Nikki states that they don’t get along and that she left her old town because she didn’t like him there. Sensing her discomfort, Sam lets it go and they enjoy each other’s company.
Later, when Sam asks Nikki to move with her to college and stay together, the latter hesitates and shares that things would change if her past came out in the open. She further divulges a childhood incident where she was violent towards her older sister, encouraged by her own mother. Sam rejects it and states that it’s a normal family issue and that she loves Nikki regardless. Guilty of his girlfriend’s kindness and feeling even more tense, Nikki decides to leave her to protect her from her past. She writes a farewell letter where she promises to find her one day.
Unfortunately, Nikki is attacked while leaving and Sam sees her shooting at the assailants. Just then, the elder’s older sister, Ty, arrives and holds Sam hostage. She reveals that their mother sent her to punish Nikki for abandoning the family and running away. This vaguely indicates that she most likely belongs to an influential family involved in the mafia or in a dangerous business. To get revenge on Nikki, Ty decides to take Sam with her and gets into a fight with his sister. Despite Sam’s pleas, she chokes Nikki unconscious.
Upon awakening, a frantic Nikki realizes that Sam and Ty are gone. So her heart literally explodes at the loss of her beloved girlfriend and she sets out to find her, just as she wrote in the previous letter under different circumstances. Thus, the title “Heart Shot” aptly justifies the distressed state of Nikki’s mind and connects her past to her present, when her own past takes a blow to her heart by ripping out the one occupying her – Sam.
Read more: Is Heart Shot based on a true story?
