Eli Roth Admits To Using AI In Ice Cream Man

Borderlands Movie Director Admits To Using Generative AI For Ice Cream Man Published Aug 5, 2026, 12:01 PM EDT James Lucas is an Executive Editor at TheGamer who has worked in professional journalism since 2018. A Newcastle University graduate with a degree in Journalism, Media, and Culture, they have written hundreds of guides, news stories, and original reports, with bylines in IGN, NME, GaymingMag, and VG247, sourcing interviews with studio heads, legendary industry figures, prominent actors, and more. An expert on FPS games, Soulslikes, RPGs, and survival horror, James has intimate knowledge of a wide variety of titles, providing in-depth coverage and exclusive profiles. Some of the games they have extensively covered include: Half-Life 3, Counter-Strike, Elden Ring, and Fallout. They pride themselves on their consistently thorough research, leveraging nearly a decade of industry experience. You can reach them at James.t@thegamer.com Sign in to your TheGamer account Look, I like Hostel, but Eli Roth's filmography lately hasn't been... the best. Thanksgiving felt like a comeback, sure, but then we had Borderlands, and the less said about that, the better. Unfortunately, Ice Cream Man is shaping up to be another disappointment, with a 30% rating on Rotten Tomatoes at the time of writing. Worse yet, this new horror movie, described by critics as "unimaginative" and "uninspired", was revealed to have used generative AI during production. "I misspoke. AI was used in a very small portion of a few scenes in the film," Roth clarified in a statement to our sister site Polygon, shortly after claiming in an interview that the Fleischer Studios-inspired cartoon was entirely hand-drawn. "It was an opportunity where technology and creativity came together to help bring my vision for the film to life." "Obnoxious AI-Generated Images" The film was already drawing flak after early reviewers noted that AI visual effects company Dark Half had been credited, prompting speculation that generative AI had been used in production, but these comments have only further ignited that backlash. Some critics even cite the use of AI in their reviews, such as Robert Kojder, who wrote, "much like the ice cream itself, the moments of outrageously grisly fun (following an unforgivably slow first act) in Ice Cream Man unfortunately and quickly dry up. My thoughts are also lowered learning AI was used." Likewise, Cody Dericks wrote in his 2/10 review, "Awful dialogue, non-existent characterizations, an unremarkable villain, and obnoxious AI-generated images. As memorable and enjoyable as a post-dessert stomach ache." The film comes out on August 7, but with an AI scandal brewing and a measly 30% on Rotten Tomatoes, it's hard to imagine there being much excitement behind Ice Cream Man — especially coming hot off the heels of the Borderlands movie, which had a rating of just 10% (after debuting at zero). For my two cents, go watch the 1995 Ice Cream Man instead. It's not exactly a masterpiece, but it's got that wonderfully schlocky '90s slasher energy. And, crucially, no AI. Release Date August 7, 2026 Runtime 86 Minutes Director Eli Roth Cast Benjamin Byron Davis The Priest Writers Eli Roth, Noah Belson Producers Kate Harrison Karman, Eli Roth