Director Eli Roth has admitted he "misspoke" when initially denying the use of artificial intelligence in his recently released horror film, "Ice Cream Man." In a follow-up statement to Polygon, Roth clarified that AI was utilized in "a very small portion of a few scenes" to "help bring my vision for the film to life."
Previously, Roth had told Polygon that he personally drew the animated sequences featured in the film, which depict characters appearing on children's phones after they consume possessed ice cream. He stated that he worked with an animation team to achieve a "jittery style" reminiscent of 1920s cartoons, similar to the animation seen in titles like Cuphead. At the time, he explicitly denied any involvement of generative AI in the creation process.
However, the presence of AI visual effects company Dark Half in the credits of a preview version of "Ice Cream Man" sent to reviewers prompted further inquiry. Following this discovery, Roth issued the revised statement acknowledging the limited use of AI. While Roth has not specifically detailed which animated sequences or scenes involved AI, the context of his initial denial suggests this is the area in question. The director's new statement carefully avoids specifying the exact nature or extent of the AI's contribution beyond acknowledging its use in "a few scenes."
"Ice Cream Man," which centers on a killer ice cream vendor whose products turn children into murderers, has been described as a critical flop and was self-funded by Roth. The film's premise involves children eating ice cream, becoming possessed, and then being triggered into violence by cartoons that appear on their devices. Roth, also known for directing "Hostel" and "Cabin Fever," and the recent film adaptation of "Borderlands," has a background in animation. The film's low budget was cited as a reason for curiosity about its visual effects. Dark Half has been contacted for further comment regarding their specific contributions to the film.