In a small town, a mysterious Ice Cream Man (Ari Millen) casts a spell over children, leading them to murder adults. Eli Roth’s latest, a gory homage to his early 2000s hits, feels out of step with current horror, which has evolved and garnered critical acclaim. The film attempts to channel a fun, splatter-filled vibe but lacks engaging storytelling and character development.
Children turn into murderous zombies at the whims of the cheerful vendor, resulting in a series of uninspired and brutal deaths. The script is muddled, filled with weak attempts at humor, including out-of-place references that feel forced. There’s no depth to the characters, reducing them to mere fodder for violence.
While some may appreciate the relentless gore, it feels gratuitous and neglectful of narrative structure. Scenes lack flow, and any semblance of coherent dialogue is overshadowed by crude humor and casual sexism. The film also incorporates glaring generative AI inappropriately, detracting further from its artistic merits.
Ultimately, Roth’s film is not just about horror; it’s an ugly and superficial effort that fails to resonate. With its unpleasant tone and lack of thoughtful content, it leaves a rather sour impression, suggesting that the once-rebellious filmmaker may need to reassess his approach in a changing genre landscape.
