by Henry Pham
For your information, this is not a remake of the 1995 film of the same name, which was a slasher film directed by Paul Norman and features Clint Howard (the brother of Ron Howard). It follows a deranged man who was recently released from a psychiatric institution and opens up an ice cream factory where he starts using human flesh in his recipes. Eli Roth’s Ice Cream Manfollows an idyllic summer town, Bayleen Bay, that descends into madness when an ice cream man serves kids sweet delights with horrifying consequences, leading to a killing spree throughout the town and neighborhood.
Charlie Zeltzer (Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale), Kiori Mirza Waldman, and Shiloh O’Reilly (Thanksgiving) deliver engaging performances as Jared, Mia, and Tommy, despite the film’s graphic content. While the trio leads much of the film, Ari Millen (BBC’s Orphan Black) stars as the titular antagonist. Millen’s unsettling performance is memorable yet menacing, and he appears to enjoy the role. His character seeks to lure children with ice cream containing a mysterious ingredient, aiming to turn them into violent threats to their town and families. The supporting cast features Benjamin Byron Davis (Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy 3), Karen Cliche (Thanksgiving), Dylan Hawco (CBC’s Heartland), Sarah Abbott (Netflix’s The Body, Poser), and Charlie Storey (Thanksgiving).
This film is not suitable for children. Eli Roth returns to the horror genre as director, producer, and writer, and also appears as the father of Jared and Lizzie (portrayed by Sarah Abbott). Ice Cream Man presents an original premise unrelated to the 1995 film. Roth and his team aim to capture the energy of Zach Cregger’s Weapons, released last year and featuring Oscar winner Amy Madigan.
The plot is intriguing, though the graphic scenes of children attacking their parents are disturbing. The script lacks clarity and depth, and the pacing feels slow due to its 86-minute runtime. The ice cream scenes are visually appealing and serve as a crucial plot device. The ending is abrupt; my desire for the film’s final act is for the villain to have “his desserts” from the main characters. The acting cast, however, did a decent job of making it entertaining for horror fans.
As you all remember, slasher films are not my thing. I chose this film because I’m a film critic and a film lover who likes ice cream and crafting milkshakes (my signature confection) at home. Eli Roth’s Ice Cream Man is a wild bloody ride with a melty twist. I know from the past that he has made a lot of hits and misses along the way, but he is a really interesting horror filmmaker to talk about. For this one, it is a miss for me. It clocks in at 86 minutes and is a low-budget horror movie in case you’re asking. If you’re willing to handle slasher movies, be my guest. Just be careful and emotionally prepared for the number of blood kills you are about to witness on screen.
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