Ice Cream Man
An idyllic summer town descends into madness when an ice cream man serves kids sweet delights with horrifying results.
Why it matters
A deceptively sunny setup that melts into a chilling exploration of childhood fears and suburban decay.
- Practical effects deliver grotesque, sticky-sweet body horror that recalls the best of ’80s creature features.
- Subverts nostalgic Americana, turning ice cream trucks into vehicles of dread and societal critique.
- Perfect for fans of folk horror’s creeping unease mixed with the visceral shock of grindhouse cinema.
- Balances dark humor with genuine terror, making it more than just another slasher in disguise.
Director
Cast
Horror DNA
⚠ Limited data — scores are approximate
Gore
0
Slow Burn
0
Psychological
14
Supernatural
0
Creature
0
Disturbing
17
Fun Factor
33
Cerebral
0
Survival
0
Content Warnings
Pairs Well With
Production History
Intelligence Brief
Eli Roth returns with a summer-set nightmare that twists childhood innocence into macabre terror.
- Why it matters: Roth, known for blending visceral horror with dark humor, tackles suburban malaise through a deceptively sweet premise that echoes 80s body horror and folk horror tropes.
- What we know: The story unfolds in a peaceful town unraveling as the titular Ice Cream Man's treats unleash chaos, spotlighting practical effects and a creeping dread atmosphere.
- Who's involved: Directed by Eli Roth, with Ari Millen leading a young ensemble cast including Charlie Zeltzer and Shiloh O’Reilly, promising strong performances from emerging talent.
- The buzz: Early festival whispers praise its blend of nostalgia and gore, positioning it as a standout in Roth's filmography and a fresh take on the summer horror subgenre.
Trailers
No breathers. No breaks. Just wall-to-wall carnage.
these kids have zero chill
we dare you to remain cool, calm and collected through this one
Which one are you?
Production Intel
- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $5.5 million
- Filming Locations
- United States of America, United Kingdom, France, Japan