Horror today splits into two camps: the psychological dread of films like Obsession and Backrooms, and the gleeful splatter of old-school shockers. The latter has seen a resurgence thanks to the Terrifier franchise and 2023's Thanksgiving. Eli Roth, the mind behind that holiday hit, returns with Ice Cream Man, a horror-comedy that promises sugary carnage. If you're after jaw-dropping practical effects, you'll find them in spades. But beyond the blood, this confection is disappointingly hollow.
A Sweet Setup with a Sour Aftertaste
Set in a picture-perfect small town, Ice Cream Man introduces us to a silent, smiling vendor (Ari Millen) whose frozen treats turn the local kids into ravenous monsters. By night, these pint-sized terrors tear through the neighborhood, leaving a trail of chaos. Only a few non-indulging kids—like the lactose-intolerant Jared (Charlie Zeltzer) and his sister Lizzie (Sarah Abbott)—can stop the madness. It's a premise that screams fun, but the execution leaves much to be desired.
Gore Galore, But at What Cost?
Roth's love for grindhouse cinema is on full display. The kill scenes are so over-the-top they border on comedic, with the effects team clearly having a blast. One standout sequence involves a group of monstrous kids scooping out a teacher's brain with an ice cream tool and feeding it to him—it's grotesque, hilarious, and technically brilliant. However, the sheer volume of gore quickly numbs the shock. When every scene is drenched in blood, the impact fades, and without a strong story to anchor it, the film loses its way.
A Villain Who Melts Away
The biggest letdown is the Ice Cream Man himself. Ari Millen, a talented actor, is given nothing to do but stand and smirk. Unlike Art the Clown from Terrifier, who commands the screen with silent menace, this villain is passive and forgettable. He never gets his hands dirty, leaving the dirty work to his zombie kids. A late info-dump attempts to explain his motives, but it's too little, too late. The climax is lackluster, and the film ends with a whimper.
Kids Can't Carry the Weight
The young cast struggles with dialogue that feels like an afterthought. Their performances are stiff, making the film feel like a direct-to-streaming B-movie. While Cooties managed to balance its absurd premise with a charismatic cast, Ice Cream Man lacks that cohesion. The result is a movie that's all surface and no substance.
Final Scoop
Eli Roth has proven he can craft both terrifying and hilarious horror, but Ice Cream Man doesn't hit the mark. It's a visually impressive but narratively empty treat that will satisfy hardcore gorehounds, but leave everyone else wanting more. For a better dose of horror, check out our list of terrifying horror films since 2010 or revisit the slasher hall of fame. If you're in the mood for a truly unsettling experience, Midsommar remains the ultimate toxic boyfriend horror. But for now, Ice Cream Man is a miss that melts away from memory.
