Joseph Kahn, teh director known for the horror-comedy Detention, is making a return to the genre with his new creature feature, Ick. Fathom Entertainment has announced a theatrical release date for the film this summer, promising a pulpy and potentially unsettling experience.

Theatrical Release Details

Ick will initially screen in select theaters in new York and Los Angeles for a one-week run starting Thursday, July 24. Following this limited engagement, the film will expand to theaters nationwide from July 27-29, offering audiences across the country a chance to catch the creature feature on the big screen.

A Glimpse into the Madness

A trailer has been released, providing a sneak peek into the creature feature madness that awaits. The soundtrack, featuring tracks from All American Rejects, Paramore, and blink 182, promises to be an earworm-inducing complement to the on-screen action.

Star-Studded Cast

Ick boasts a cast that includes Brandon Routh (Superman Returns, Scott Pilgrim), Malina Weissman (Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events), and Mena Suvari (American Beauty, American Pie). Their combined experience and talent promise to bring depth and intrigue to the film’s narrative.

Synopsis: What is ‘The Ick’?

The film’s premise revolves around a viscous, vine-like growth known as “The Ick,” which has quietly infiltrated American life over two decades. The residents of Eastbrook remain largely indifferent to its presence,except for Hank (Routh),a former high school football star turned science teacher,and Grace (Weissman),his perceptive student. They are drawn together by Grace’s mom Staci’s (Suvari) secret and a shared suspicion that The Ick is about to unleash monstrous mayhem.

A Power Punk Homage

According to promotional materials, Ick is described as a wild ride driven by a power punk spirit, a dizzyingly fun and hilariously grotesque homage to throwback PG horror flicks, as well as an ode to Millennial nostalgia manifested in soundtrack needle drops by All American Rejects, Paramore, and Blink 182. This blend of horror,comedy,and nostalgia aims to create a unique and engaging cinematic experience.

Additional Cast and Crew

The cast also includes Harrison Cone, Debra Wilson, Taia Sophia, Zeke Jones, and jeffrey Fahey. The screenplay is penned by Samuel Laskey (The guardians of Justice (Will Save You!)), Joseph Kahn, and Dan Koontz (C.C. Unit). The producers include Steven Schneider, Joseph Kahn, Peter trinh, Joe Heath, David Kang, and adi Shankar.

Fathom Entertainment’s Outlook

Ray Nutt, Chief Executive Officer for Fathom Entertainment, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, Fathom is thrilled to bring the award-winning creature feature and horror comedy, ICK, to the big screen. With the talented Joseph Kahn at the helm, a great cast, and an unbelievable rock soundtrack, the highly anticipated ICK is primed to have wide appeal to many fanbases and be a popular addition to the summer slate.

Critical Reception

Early reviews suggest a film that is both energetic and uneven. Joe Lipsett noted in his TIFF review, You know a Joseph Kahn film when you see one. Ther’s an approach to style, narrative, and editing akin to pure adrenaline; it’s as though the filmmaker drank a bunch of coffee, ate a bunch of candy, and then promptly made a movie. Ick, Kahn’s first feature since 2017’s Bodies, is pure sugar/caffeine rush.