Eli Roth’s new horror film Ice Cream Man is facing a harsh reception from critics ahead of its wide theatrical release this Friday. The movie features Ari Millen as an ice cream vendor who arrives in a small town, triggering a wave of violent events among the local children.
With an early Rotten Tomatoes score of 31 percent, the response from the critical community is largely negative. Reviewers like Variety’s Owen Gleiberman argued that the director relies too heavily on a cynical tone rather than building genuine engagement with the audience. Others, including The Wrap’s William Bibbiani, expressed disappointment, noting that the behind-the-scenes craft seems more compelling than the finished product itself.
Despite the backlash, the film still has its defenders. Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter offered a positive take, describing the project as an ambitious, dark entry that aims to outdo previous films in the killer-children genre. Bob Strauss of the San Francisco Chronicle also gave the film a fresh score, suggesting that Roth brings more thematic weight to the table than just standard horror tropes.
As the film moves toward its nationwide debut, audience reactions remain the next major indicator of its performance. Whether the project will find a dedicated following despite the initial critical storm remains to be seen. The movie opens following several preview screenings held this past Thursday.