Screaming for Ice Cream: Eli Roth’s Next Slasher Turns the Local Sweet Tooth Into a Psychopath
Forget about brain freeze. The latest treat from Eli Roth’s twisted mind is guaranteed to cause a total psychological collapse.
The official trailer for Roth’s highly anticipated slasher Ice Cream Man has finally dropped. And it is every bit as unhinged as you would expect from the guy who gave us Hostel and Thanksgiving. The movie is locked, loaded, and scheduled to scoop its way into 2,000 North American theaters later this summer.
Lactose Intolerance is the Least of Your Problems
Set in a picture-perfect, idyllic summer town, the film explores the ultimate childhood betrayal: what happens when the local ice cream man starts serving up soft-serve with a side of pure, unadulterated madness?
The trailer gives us a deeply disturbing sneak peek at the dairy-induced chaos. Rather than dealing with cavities, the local kids immediately descend into homicidal insanity. The trailer features plenty of nightmare-fuel imagery, including: Creepy children ominously looming over their sleeping parents. Then there are toddlers gleefully making snow angels in massive pools of blood. Let’s not forget a pint-sized mob holding down an adult woman while another kid swings an axe directly into her stomach.
You know, wholesome family fun.
The Creative Ingredient List
Playing the titular, twisted dessert vendor is Ari Millen (Orphan Black), who looks entirely too comfortable in a paper soda jerk hat.
He is joined by a stellar ensemble cast featuring Benjamin Byron Davis (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3), Dylan Hawco (Heartland), Sarah Abbott (The Body), Kiori Mirza Waldman, Charlie Zeltzer (The Handmaid’s Tale), and a trio of actors pulling double-duty from Roth’s previous holiday slasher (Thanksgiving): Karen Cliche, Shiloh O’Reilly, and Charlie Storey.
Behind the scenes, Roth is wearing multiple hats as director, producer, and co-writer. He penned the script alongside his longtime collaborator Noah Belson (The Rotten Fruit). To ensure the gore looks appropriately stomach-churning, the film features VFX by Steve Newburn and Academy Award winner Adrien Morot (The Whale).
And because a movie this wild needs an equally eclectic audio vibe, the original score by Brandon Roberts will be backed by additional music from Snoop Dogg. Because why not?
Welcome to ‘The Horror Section’
Ice Cream Man isn’t just another entry in Roth’s bloody filmography; it officially marks the inaugural feature film to launch under his brand-new production banner, The Horror Section.
Founded in 2025, the company was built to curate highly specific, deeply intense horror-centric experiences for genre fans. If this first outing is any indication, they are off to a wonderfully toxic start.
The studio’s upcoming slate is already leaning heavily into midnight-movie territory. Their next announced project bears the instantly iconic title, Don’t Go In That House, Bitch!—which will feature Snoop Dogg, this time stepping up as a producer, writer, and primary performer on the original soundtrack.
Consider your summer movie plans officially ruined. Track down your local truck on August 7, but maybe skip the sprinkles.
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