Ice Cream Man Review

Ice Cream Man, directed by Eli Roth under his company The Horror Section, is set to hit theaters on August 7. Known for his violent films like Hostel and Thanksgiving, Roth has previously delivered both captivating and disappointing results. This new film, however, seems to be indebted to recent horror hits like Terrifier and Weapons, but lacks the chaotic madness and humor found in those movies.

Instead, it presents a sporadic mix of elements from both, resulting in a cheap and unoriginal experience. The film's premise of children becoming murderous due to consuming ice cream may sound promising, but Roth fails to make the most of it, creating a movie that feels like a cheap YouTube sketch rather than an immersive horror film.

The cinematography is poorly done, with bizarre lighting and cringeworthy dialogue, making it awkward and stiff rather than unhinged. The story revolves around Jared, who is tormented by the Ice Cream Man after he unleashes a curse on the town of Bayleen Bay. While the town's dark side adds some intrigue, the overall execution is limited and unimaginative.

The acting, particularly Roth's performance as Jared's father, falls flat, and the film's attempts at humor and absurdity fall short. Despite its running time being less than 90 minutes, the film feels long, with an unnecessary backstory of the killer that drags the plot down. In the end, Ice Cream Man falls short of the greatness achieved by previous horror films like Terrifier and Weapons, failing to deliver the creative and darkly absurd experience that viewers were hoping for.