Ick (2025): Cast, Plot, Release Date, Trailer & Reviews for the Alien Horror-Comedy

Ick (2025) – Alien Goo, Daddy Issues, and a Whole Lot of Fun

Coming to theaters on July 24, 2025, Joseph Kahn’s latest genre-bending sci-fi horror comedy brings the ooze, the chaos, and, surprisingly, the heart.

If you’ve been craving a mix of Stranger Things, Slither, and The Faculty—but with a Gen Z twist and a glow-in-the-dark alien parasite called the “Ick”—then buckle up. Joseph Kahn’s Ick is ready to blast into theaters this summer after its buzzy premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2024, where it left critics delighted and slightly grossed out.

👽 The Premise: Family, Football, and Flesh-Eating Goo

Brandon Routh (Superman Returns) stars as Hank Wallace, a once-promising high school football star turned awkward small-town science teacher whose glory days are far behind him. But when alien parasites start melting people’s brains—and bodies—Hank is forced back into action.

Things get weirder when Grace (Malina Weissman), a snarky student with a suspiciously familiar stubborn streak, turns out to possibly be his daughter. Oh, and his ex-girlfriend Staci (Mena Suvari) is back in town, ready to confront some unfinished emotional business… right as the town starts getting overrun by the grotesque, sentient ooze known as the Ick.

It’s part creature feature, part high school drama, and part midlife crisis comedy—with a healthy dose of goo.

🎬 Directed by Joseph Kahn: Genre Mayhem Meets Visual Flair

Known for his slick visuals (Detention, Torque) and boundary-pushing music videos, Joseph Kahn brings his signature kinetic energy to Ick, blending ’80s creature horror, satirical sci-fi, and emotional coming-of-age themes.

The screenplay—co-written by Kahn, Dan Koontz, and Samuel Laskey—doesn’t shy away from absurdity. But buried beneath the slime and chaos is a surprisingly tender story about reconnection, regret, and redemption.

🧪 The Cast: Comedy, Chemistry, and Chaos

• Brandon Routh shines as the lovable, awkward Hank, balancing action-hero absurdity with genuine dad-in-denial moments.

• Malina Weissman is perfectly cast as Grace—a whip-smart, sarcastic teen who’s not here for Hank’s half-baked life lessons.

• Mena Suvari brings both edge and emotional depth to Staci, adding real weight to the rekindled sparks and unresolved feelings.

• Jeff Fahey as Hank’s grumpy, conspiracy-theorist father is a scene-stealing bonus.

• Harrison Cone and Zeke Jones round out the younger cast with charm and fear as the alien threat escalates.

💥 Gore Meets Giggles: What to Expect

At just 92 minutes, Ick is a tightly paced thrill ride. Expect:

• Squishy, grotesque practical effects (yes, the goo is very gooey)

• Exploding gym teachers

• A high school dance that turns into a sci-fi massacre

• A flamethrower made from a leaf blower

• And some genuinely touching moments between people learning how to say “I love you” through trauma and chaos

🎟️ The Buzz: A Cult Hit in the Making?

After its TIFF debut, Ick earned praise for being both a loving throwback to sci-fi horror and a sharp satire of small-town dysfunction and toxic nostalgia. Critics have compared it to early Sam Raimi with a splash of James Gunn—but with more slime and fewer boundaries.

Expect Ick to gain traction not only with horror fans but with viewers looking for something bold, fast, funny, and heartwarming (in the weirdest way possible).

📅 Release Details

• TIFF Premiere: September 7, 2024

• Theatrical Release (U.S.): July 24, 2025

• Distributed by: Fathom Entertainment

• Runtime: 92 minutes

• Rated: R (for gore, language, and sci-fi violence)

👾 Final Thoughts: Come for the Goo, Stay for the Feels

Ick might look like your typical late-night creature feature, but underneath the slime is a smart, strange, and surprisingly heartfelt story about facing your past—whether that’s an ex, a long-lost daughter, or a parasitic space blob turning your neighbors into mush.

Joseph Kahn has delivered the weirdest, wildest summer movie you didn’t know you needed.

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