Eli Roth's latest directorial venture, 'Ice Cream Man,' set to release in theaters on August 7, largely fails to escape the shadow of its genre predecessors. The film, produced under Roth's banner The Horror Section, draws heavy inspiration from recent horror successes like the 'Terrifier' series and Zach Cregger's 'Weapons,' yet it falls short of replicating their effectiveness. This iteration of 'Ice Cream Man' should not be confused with the 1995 film of the same name starring Clint Howard.
While Roth has a career marked by a willingness to explore violence and gore, 'Ice Cream Man' leans into imitation rather than innovation. The narrative centers on a murderous rampage in the town of Bayleen Bay, initiated by the titular Ice Cream Man. The plot involves a curse that turns children into killers, a premise that, on paper, suggests potential for campy horror fun. However, the execution is described as cheap and uninspired, lacking the richness and texture expected of an immersive horror experience. The film's visual presentation is often overlit, and its dialogue is frequently stilted, contributing to an overall awkward and stiff tone rather than a playfully unhinged one.
At the heart of the story is Jared, a boy tormented by the Ice Cream Man despite his lactose intolerance. The film attempts a Stephen King-esque small-town atmosphere but feels limited in scope and imagination. The violence depicted includes parents murdered by their children and a school turned into a site of bloodshed, with kills involving a microscope, a ladder, and a Segway adding to the gruesome spectacle. Despite these attempts at visceral impact, the film struggles to create genuine horror or captivate its audience.
Compared to the 'Terrifier' series, 'Ice Cream Man' lacks the chaotic energy and memorable performances of Art the Clown. Roth's own on-screen appearance as Jared's father, delivering lines like "Dare I say, he gives me the chills," are noted as falling flat. The film also features a strange dubbed line, further contributing to an amateurish feel. The directorial approach is characterized as more amateurish than darkly absurd, resulting in a sentiment of "we have Terrifier at home."
The film's pacing and narrative development are also points of criticism. The story suffers from lengthy exposition dumps that halt momentum, and moments that hint at creative exploration, such as animated sequences, are ultimately abandoned. The attempt to delve into the killer's backstory is described as a dreary and drawn-out explanation. Unlike the restrained build-up and impactful conclusion of 'Weapons,' 'Ice Cream Man' fails to establish narrative momentum or deliver a satisfying ending, leaving viewers with a sense of emptiness.
Ultimately, 'Ice Cream Man' is deemed a derivative work that does not achieve the heights of the films it emulates. The review suggests that audiences could easily skip this film, finding little of substance or entertainment to warrant viewing, and that it fails to evoke strong reactions of either joy or fear, leaving only a sense of ennui.