“I aim to make this one of the most graphic, controversial, character-driven, sociopolitically aware and visually innovative horror films to date,” he tells us. “I grew up as not just a fan of horror, but the great stylists like Polanski, Truffaut, Fellini, and Scorsese, to name a few, and it's a serious goal of mine to blend high art with horror and give the genre the cinematic respect it deserves. This film is truly brutal; there is some heavy, gritty stuff, and uncomfortable situations that have never been put on film. It's important that we counterbalance that brutality with a beautiful visual style, and level of serious character development and story rarely seen in the genre.
[...]
But we throw all the cliches out the window as the story progresses. These characters make real decisions in frightening and disturbing situations. And nothing—nothing—can prepare you for the end. I can honestly say there are some truly original and daring scenes in this film.”

“Our guy is this iconic killer who is somewhat a vigilante,” Terry says. “His psychological problems, which stem from childhood abuse, drastically outweigh the severity of his cosmetic physical ailment. There is actual emotion to the Ice Cream Man; he’s gotten to the point where he just can’t stop anymore. Therefore, there’s a real story to tell in our film. He’s not just killing for the hell of it; he actually has a motive—some reason. There's a method to it all."