Eli Roth's "Ice Cream Man" is a horror film that operates on multiple levels: it is smart, energetic, and features some of the most memorable grotesque visuals the genre has produced in recent years. Directed and co-written by Roth alongside Noah Belson, the film follows a silent, demonic purveyor of sweet treats whose colorful confections transform children into bloodthirsty, superhuman killers.

Set in the idyllic suburban community of Bayleen Bay, the film moves at a brisk pace, clocking in at under an hour and a half. Protagonists Jared (Charlie Seltzer), Tommy (Shiloh O'Reilly), and Mia (Kiori Mirza Waldman) attempt to thwart the titular villain and his growing army of homicidal child psychopaths. The Ice Cream Man's young victims—ice cream caked around their mouths, possessing extreme strength and near-invincible resilience—evoke a hybrid of the juvenile antagonists from "Children of the Corn" and the zombified children from "Weapons."

The unnamed Ice Cream Man himself is played by Ari Millen, known for his work on "Orphan Black." Though the character never speaks, Millen's performance draws on elements of iconic film figures: Conrad Veidt's Gwynplaine in "The Man Who Laughs," David Howard Thornton's Art the Clown from the "Terrifier" franchise, and a touch of the Pied Piper. Unlike the evil ice cream man portrayed by Clint Howard in the 1995 film of the same name—a production with which this film shares no direct connection—Millen's Ice Cream Man is explicitly demonic. This quality is conveyed through the actor's mannerisms long before the plot makes it textually clear. The character ranks among the more layered gothic villains in contemporary horror, combining sadistic pleasure in inciting brutal violence with a tragic backstory that reflects realistically on how corrupt institutions can exploit and discard the most vulnerable.

Inside the Mind of the Ice Cream Man

In a conversation with Millen after an advance screening, the actor offered insight into what drives the character. "When I read him, this is a man who was done wrong and his modus operandi has always been to bring joy to children," Millen explained. "And through what happened to him, the corruption of the minds of kids, he never wants that to happen again. We can argue whether how he goes about it is the right way to do it. But absolutely, his heart is very much in the place where he is here to maintain the innocence of kids and to not let adults or society sort of corrupt their innocence."

The production itself was marked by a palpable sense of enthusiasm from all involved. Shot in just 19 days with a cast and crew drawn largely from Canada—a nation that, as Millen noted, deserves greater recognition for its deep talent pool of actors and filmmakers—that creative energy is visible in every frame. The lean production schedule reflects a broader pattern in independent horror, where the genre has consistently delivered strong returns on modest budgets, making it one of the few reliably commercial categories for studios and streaming platforms amid an otherwise unsettled theatrical landscape.

It should be emphasized, however, that "Ice Cream Man" is not a film for all audiences. The film contains graphic depictions of decapitations, mutilations, exposed viscera, and copious bloodshed. Viewers sensitive to such content are advised to avoid it. For those with an appetite for intense horror, though, the film shares a defining quality with Roth's strongest work: there is genuine intellectual substance beneath the exploitation aesthetic.

"Ice Cream Man" in Context

Within Roth's broader filmography, "Ice Cream Man" continues a pattern of socially conscious horror. "Cabin Fever" examined how civilized behavior disintegrates during a crisis, with an infectious disease narrative that gained renewed relevance after the COVID-19 pandemic. "Hostel" critiqued Americans' ignorance of and false sense of superiority over the wider world. "Hostel: Part II" addressed misogyny in ways that anticipated the Me Too movement. "The Green Inferno" highlighted the naivete of political activists who act on internet trends rather than substantive research. "Thanksgiving" satirized American consumerism and the ways powerful business leaders evade accountability. Even Roth's non-horror projects, such as his "Death Wish" remake (reviewed for Salon), tackled themes including gun culture and vigilantism.

With "Ice Cream Man," the thematic intelligence stems from an understanding of the innocence and cruelty inherent in childhood, and how readily children can be manipulated by adults. The young cast members are central to this achievement. Millen praised his co-stars: kids get a "bad rap" as being "difficult to work with, but Charlie and Kiori and Shiloh are some of the most talented and dedicated actors, kids or adults, that I've ever worked with. They just have the benefit of still having a child's imagination." He added, "They were in this world as soon as Eli called action. They were in that world. And that made my job that much easier because they just drew me in."

Millen's own performance merits significant credit. Silent cinematic villains are not new—the archetype was popularized by Michael Myers in "Halloween" and Jason Voorhees in "Friday the 13th: Part 2"—but those characters typically wear masks and register as inhuman. The Ice Cream Man, by contrast, has a constantly visible face and is terrifying in part because of his humanity. Like the finest practitioners of mime, he conveys a spectrum of emotions—cruelty, a yearning to be liked, even a twisted form of kindness—without speaking a single word. In the way of Robert Englund's Freddy Krueger in "A Nightmare on Elm Street," it becomes difficult to envision any other actor in the role after watching Millen's portrayal.

"Ice Cream Man" is, ultimately, a genre film catering to a specific cinematic palate. Viewers who object to the use of generative AI in special effects may take issue with that aspect of the production—an ongoing industry concern that was a central point of contention in the 2023 Hollywood labor strikes—though the animation and visual effects reviewed appeared realistic. For devotees of Roth's most accomplished work—"Cabin Fever," "The Green Inferno," and "Thanksgiving"—"Ice Cream Man" delivers a fast-paced horror experience populated by indelible characters and imagery.