Eli Roth's New Horror Film 'Zmrzlinář' Sparks Controversy

Director Eli Roth has revived a two‑decade‑old concept for a horror film titled Zmrzlinář, in which a mysterious ice‑cream vendor’s treat turns children into violent killers. Roth co‑wrote the screenplay with childhood friend Noah Nelson and founded Media Capital Technologies to produce the movie under the brand The Horror Section. The film was shot in Hamilton, Canada, and its first footage generated buzz at San Diego Comic‑Con, where a blood‑splattered booth allowed visitors to play a tether‑ball game with a severed head.

The story follows a seemingly innocent ice‑cream van that distributes a drug‑laced treat, causing children to enter a zombie‑like state and attack adults. Critics note the film’s graphic violence and its homage to earlier horror works such as Cabin Fever and Zbran od Zacha Creggera. While the premise has drawn criticism for its extreme content, Roth emphasizes the project’s playful yet macabre tone, describing it as a “child apocalypse” that finally received funding after more than twenty years of development.