Hallmark’s Because of Cupid Delivers Magical Loveuary Romance

Hallmark Channel’s Loveuary lineup kept the Valentine’s Day vibes alive with Because of Cupid, a bubbly romantic comedy that’s part friendship, part fantasy, and, honestly, a little bit of mythological chaos. It premiered February 14 and is now streaming on Hallmark+, following best friends Naomi and Marcus as their mocktail competition goes haywire thanks to a real-life Cupid and a love potion mishap.

Sparkling chemistry, clever pop culture nods, and a scene-stealing supporting performance all come together here. This Loveuary entry shows that Hallmark’s still got a knack for romance—with a twist, of course.

A Loveuary Entry That Mostly Hits the Sweet Spot

Loveuary’s become Hallmark Channel’s annual excuse to go all-in on romance, and this year’s lineup kicked off strong. After the emotional ride that was The Way To You, people were expecting a lot from Because of Cupid.

Luckily, it delivers heart, laughs, and just enough fantasy to set it apart from the usual friends-to-lovers story. At the heart of it, the movie’s about two best friends who are so obviously perfect for each other—except, somehow, they’re the only ones who don’t see it.

Naomi (Amy Groening) and Marcus (Evan Roderick) work together as bartenders at Agora. They jokingly call each other work wife and work husband, and their banter grounds the whole film.

Their mission? Convince their boss Lisa not to sell the bar before they can buy it themselves. Simple enough, but, well, things never stay simple for long.

The Chemistry That Carries the Story

Groening and Roderick have this natural, bubbly chemistry that makes the friends-to-lovers thing believable. You can feel the shared history—late nights, inside jokes, all of it.

When Marcus finally admits he’s been in love with Naomi since day one, it doesn’t come off as forced or over-the-top. It just fits.

The film sneaks in the classic tune Let Me Call You Sweetheart as a running thread, tying together the romance and the magical meddling. When Naomi echoes Marcus in a later musical scene, it lands with real emotion.

When Cupid Crashes the Mocktail Party

But, hey, it wouldn’t be Loveuary without a little supernatural trouble. Enter Hal, played by Adam Tsekhman, who brings a ton of charm to the screen.

At first, Hal seems like just the confident owner of Eros Tea Cafe. But there’s more to him than meets the eye.

Things go sideways when Naomi accidentally dumps a whole vial of love potion into a batch of mocktails for the competition sponsors. Seven drinks. Seven people suddenly, madly in love.

The Love Potion Fallout

The results? Pure chaos, in the best way:

• Lisa and fantasy romance author E.J. decide to merge their lives and maybe move to Costa Rica.
• Jane and Stephen get swept up in a whirlwind romance.
• Richard and Lucy reignite feelings that have been simmering for decades.
• Marcus throws caution to the wind and tells Naomi how he really feels.

Watching all these storylines spiral is a big part of the fun. The movie doesn’t bother trying to make it too logical—love’s messy, magical, and sometimes just plain weird. Because of Cupid leans into that, and honestly, it’s better for it.

A Scene-Stealer Named Hal

The main romance has plenty of heart, but Adam Tsekhman’s Hal? He steals almost every scene he’s in. With sly smiles and a twinkle in his eye, he brings a playful, mythological energy that’s hard to resist.

When it’s revealed that Hal is actually Cupid, it’s less of a shock and more of a satisfying “aha” moment. Tsekhman’s performance adds a little sparkle and unpredictability that makes the film pop.

From Tea Cafe to Nail Salon

One of the film’s most unexpected gags? Naomi and Marcus rush to Eros Tea Cafe for an antidote, only to find it’s now a nail salon. Blink and you’ll miss it, but it’s a perfect little nod to Cupid’s mischief.

Hal eventually hands over an antidote, sending Naomi and Marcus on a scavenger hunt for ingredients and a mission to convince their love-struck friends to snap out of it. Not everyone’s in a hurry to give up their enchanted happiness, and that brings both laughs and a bit of reflection.

Pop Culture Winks and Hallmark Comfort

Because of Cupid doesn’t shy away from playful movie references. For the second week in a row, Loveuary gives us a nod to Ghost with a pottery scene—this time, it’s played for laughs.

A version of Unchained Melody plays in the background as the characters ham it up. These little pop culture winks are a treat for fans paying attention, and they don’t distract from the main story.

The Emotional Reset

As each couple takes the antidote, reality sets back in. Jane and Stephen realize their spark was more about chemistry than real connection. Lisa and E.J. decide to slow down, even if there are real feelings there.

Richard and Lucy, though, discover their love is the real deal—no potion needed—and decide to get married. And then there’s the final twist: Marcus learns the drink he had was just a placebo. The potion only works if both people take it, and Naomi never did. So his big confession? Turns out, it was all him.

Why Because of Cupid Is Worth the Watch

The film drags a bit in the middle—honestly, who hasn’t zoned out during a slow patch? Still, it pulls through and delivers on its premise.

There’s a nice balance here: fantasy and grounded emotion, humor and sincerity. The mocktail competition subplot adds a little extra tension, which is refreshing.

Naomi’s background in biochemistry and greenhouse gardening gives her some real depth. It’s not just surface-level romance, which I appreciate.

The final declaration of love actually feels genuine. When Naomi sings to Marcus at Richard and Lucy’s wedding, echoing his earlier move, it just works. That full-circle moment? Very satisfying.

Because of Cupid stands out in this year’s Loveuary lineup. It doesn’t totally reinvent the wheel, but it brings charm, a hint of magic, and a supporting cast that deserves more Hallmark screen time.

If you like friends-to-lovers stories, a sprinkle of fantasy, and playful nods to classic romance films, this one’s a solid pick. I’d watch it again—maybe with an actual mocktail in hand.