Eli Roth, the director known for brutal horror films like Hostel and Thanksgiving, is now at the center of a major controversy. His upcoming movie Ice Cream Man hits theaters on August 7, 2026. But even before its release, the film has sparked intense anger online. Critics and fans are slamming Roth for using generative AI in key sequences of the movie.
The backlash grew so loud that Roth had to issue a statement. He admitted he “misspoke” about how the animated scenes were made. What started as a promotional interview quickly turned into a public relations crisis for the veteran horror director.
The AI Controversy Explained
The trouble began when Roth spoke to Polygon about a specific scene in Ice Cream Man. The scene features an old-timey cartoon that plays on children’s phones. This cartoon hypnotizes the kids and turns them into killers.
Roth originally told Polygon that he drew the animation himself. He said, “I have an animation background and I drew it”. He explained that he wanted the cartoon to look like a 1920s Mickey Mouse style.
But then social media users noticed something. The film’s credits list Dark Half, an AI visual effects company. People started asking questions. How much of the movie was actually made with AI?
Facing the growing questions, Roth changed his story. He released a new statement saying, “I misspoke. AI was used in a very small portion of a few scenes in the film”. He added that the technology helped bring his vision to life.
Two Major Sequences Created With AI
Reports confirm that Ice Cream Man uses generative AI in two major sequences.
The first AI-generated sequence is the villain’s origin flashback. Instead of filming the backstory with real actors, Roth used AI software to create the entire scene. The flashback shows how a local priest, played by Benjamin Byron Davis, responds to a tragic event that triggers a chain of revenge.
The second sequence involves the old-timey animated cartoons. These cartoons appear on children’s phones and tablets throughout the film. They play alongside the ice cream truck’s jingle and act as a psychological trigger that turns kids into killers.
Early viewers have already criticized both sequences. Many said the AI-generated graphics looked off and felt out of place in a horror film.
Rotten Tomatoes Score Hits Rock Bottom
The AI controversy is not the only problem for Ice Cream Man. The film has also received terrible reviews from critics.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie holds a score of just 24% based on 25 reviews. Many critics gave it scores of 3 out of 10 or lower. Some even gave it a 1 out of 10.
ScreenRant called the film “an empty meal of a movie” that lacks the brains to be anything more than a pale imitation of better horror films. Variety described it as a “one-joke piece of shock theater”.
The Hollywood Reporter said the film is only for diehard slasher fans and absolutely no one else. IGN gave it a 4 out of 10, saying it inflicts plenty of head trauma but reveals itself as empty.
If the score holds, Ice Cream Man will have one of the worst Rotten Tomatoes scores for a major 2026 horror movie.
Fans and Critics Call for Boycott
Social media has been flooded with angry reactions. Many fans are now calling for a boycott of the film.
One user wrote, “Eli Roth is a contender for one of the worst modern filmmakers”. Another said, “Saw this movie for a Screen Unseen, and save your money. Ignoring the AI, the movie is genuinely dogsh*t”.
Some fans expressed disappointment because they expected better from Roth. One person commented, “He seems like a cool dude and I wonder what would push him to use AI”.
Others compared Ice Cream Man to Roth’s previous failures. One user wrote, “And I thought his awful 2024 Borderlands movie was the lowest point of his career”.
The criticism has not been limited to the AI use. Many reviewers have argued that Roth’s direction focuses too much on gore and crude humor while ignoring coherent storytelling.
Roth’s History of Controversial Comments
This is not the first time Eli Roth has faced public anger. In 2025, he made a comment on his Instagram stories about environmental activist Greta Thunberg. He said she “needs to be eaten by cannibals”. That remark caused widespread outrage at the time.
Roth has also faced criticism throughout his career. During the development of Cabin Fever and Hostel, studios and critics slammed his work, calling it vile and disgusting.
Despite the backlash, Roth remains a well-known figure in horror. He made his directorial debut with Cabin Fever, which Quentin Tarantino praised as a notable entry into modern horror. He also played the role of The Bear Jew in Inglourious Basterds.
What We Know About ‘Ice Cream Man’
Ice Cream Man follows a small town called Bayleen Bay. A creepy ice cream vendor, played by Ari Millen, gives out demonic treats to children. The treats turn the kids into homicidal killers who target adults.
The film marks the first feature from Roth’s independent production company, The Horror Section. It has a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes and a budget of $6 million.
The cast includes Benjamin Byron Davis as the Priest, Karen Cliche, Dylan Hawco, Sarah Abbott, Shiloh O’Reilly, Kiori Mirza Waldman, Charlie Zeltzer, and Charlie Storey. Roth also appears in the film as a character named Marty.
The movie is not a remake of the 1995 film with the same name. It is an original story that Roth says he came up with over 20 years ago.
The Growing Debate Over AI in Filmmaking
The Ice Cream Man controversy adds to a larger debate about AI in Hollywood. Many people are worried about the technology replacing human artists.
This is not the first time a horror movie has faced AI backlash. The 2023 film Late Night with the Devil had to explain its use of AI-generated images after audiences noticed them. Director Adam Shankman also had to deny AI use in his film Stop That Train after social media users raised concerns.
In the case of Ice Cream Man, the backlash has been especially fierce because Roth initially denied using AI. His change in story made many fans feel misled.
One social media user summed up the frustration: “AI might not steal your job, but it’ll definitely push your popcorn crowd away from movie theaters”.
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What Happens Next
Ice Cream Man is scheduled for release on August 7, 2026. The film will open exclusively in theaters.
Whether the controversy will hurt ticket sales remains to be seen. But the online anger is already intense. Many fans have made it clear they plan to skip the movie entirely.
Roth has not commented further on the AI backlash since his statement on Tuesday. Representatives for Dark Half, the AI studio involved, have also not responded to requests for comment.
For now, Ice Cream Man stands as one of the most controversial horror releases of 2026. And Eli Roth finds himself defending not just his movie, but his reputation as a filmmaker.
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