Ick (2025): Cast, Ratings & Ending
Ick is a 2025 sci-fi horror film directed by Joseph Kahn, starring Brandon Routh as Hank, Mena Suvari and Malina Pauli Weissman. It runs 1 hour 27 minutes. Critics gave it 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.3/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 27m (87 min)
- Director
- Joseph Kahn
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Imagenation Abu Dhabi FZ
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Ick About?
The premise of Ick without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
For nearly two decades, a peculiar vine-like growth known as The Ick has quietly spread throughout American life. The residents of the small town of Eastbrook have largely become accustomed to its presence, but former high school football star and now hapless science teacher Hank (Brandon Routh) finds himself increasingly concerned. He and a few others begin to question the seemingly benign nature of The Ick, and its potential impact on their community.
Ick Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- alien invasion sci fi
- monster horror
- football
- one word title
- bar
- sex in a car
- kiss
- 2000s
- high schooler
- reference to the beatles
- prom dance
- prom king
+38 more Show fewer
- prom queen
- new car
- playing pool
- asian man
- college
- cheerleader
- football player
- balloons
- hospital
- cheating
- cat
- watching tv
- limping man
- heart attack
- drinking
- graveyard
- crying man
- aa meeting
- janitor
- high school janitor
- pregnant woman
- science teacher
- blowing a bubble gum bubble
- popping a bubble gum bubble
- reference to armageddon
- teachers' lounge
- watching tv news
- man wears glasses
- politics
- assistant coach
- school cafeteria
- goth girl
- drawing
- smoking
- goat
- car won't start
- real estate agent
- ex girlfriend child
Ick Cast & Characters
Brandon Routh leads the cast as Hank, with Mena Suvari as Staci and Malina Pauli Weissman as Grace. Directed by Joseph Kahn; 20 actors are credited in all.
- Director Joseph Kahn
- Brandon Routh as Hank
-
Mena Suvari as Staci - Malina Pauli Weissman as Grace
- Harrison Cone as Dylan
Also Starring in Ick
· 16 more- Taia Sophia Heather
- Mike Capozzi Infosys Announcer
- Cory Hart Coach Reilly
- April Clark Girl
- Jim Johnson John Johanson
- Vic Stagliano Coach Stone
- Mariann Gavelo Sofia Díaz
- Kedrick Brown Father
- Jason Scott Morgan Prom DJ
- Travis Dunn The Leader
- A.D. Johnson Felix
- Katelyn Martinez AOC
- Lance Allen Kramer Grace's Cousin
- Jack Seavor McDonald Tristan
- Alyssa Abraham New Mother
- Ara Hollyday Young John Johanson
More from Joseph Kahn
More films directed by Joseph Kahn, best-rated first: Bodied, Detention, Torque and Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to All!.
Ick Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Ick 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in sensory experience (90) and weakest in story & flow (65).
Ick Echo Score Breakdown
Ick delivers a bold audiovisual experience marked by energetic direction and a lively soundtrack, though its narrative coherence occasionally falters. Critics highlighted its affectionate homage to 80s horror-comedies, vibrant pop-punk needle drops, and playful social commentary, while noting uneven momentum and a somewhat trivial script. The film’s strengths in sensory impact and tonal exuberance outweigh its modest storytelling shortcomings, resulting in a generally enjoyable B-movie ride.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 85
In terms of art and craft, Ick exhibits bold direction and dynamic cinematography that embrace defiant maximalism. Production design channels eighties horror-comedy tropes with vibrant practical effects, and editing maintains high energy throughout most sequences. While occasional visual hyperactivity may overshadow narrative clarity, the overall stylistic coherence underscores the film’s audacious aesthetic.
- Character & Emotion 70
When it comes to character and emotion, Ick balances playful mockery with occasional heartfelt moments. The film’s leads deliver spirited, if broadly sketched, performances that capture generational angst and camaraderie. Emotional resonance emerges during sincere interludes amid comedic set pieces, although deeper character development is limited. Nevertheless, the cast’s energy sustains audience engagement.
- Story & Flow 65
In terms of story and flow, Ick offers an inventive premise reminiscent of classic horror-comedies, propelled by brisk pacing and pop-punk zeal. Reviewers praised its originality and crowd-pleasing set pieces but noted a tendency toward narrative fragmentation and uneven momentum. Plot coherence occasionally gives way to spectacle, resulting in an engaging yet narratively modest experience.
- Sensory Experience 90
When it comes to sensory experience, Ick delivers a full-frontal audiovisual assault enriched by a pulsating early 2000s rock soundtrack. Sound design accentuates comedic and horror beats, while visual style fuses retro aesthetics with modern filmmaking techniques. The cohesive audio-visual blend drives sustained excitement and underscores the film’s maximalist intent.
- Rewatch Factor 75
In terms of rewatch factor, Ick’s high-energy set pieces and pop-punk soundtrack offer strong appeal for repeat viewings. The film’s playful tone and nostalgic callbacks may reward fans with fresh observations on subsequent runs. However, its reliance on spectacle over narrative depth could limit lasting engagement. Overall, it remains a fun, if lighthearted, revisit.
-
IMDb 5.3 /10
2843 votes
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 69% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 71%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 67 Metascore
User score 4.5
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 60% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.8 /5
8134 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Ick Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Ick from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Sometime during the 2000s in the quiet town of Eastbrook, a once-bright high school quarterback named Hank Wallace sees his football dreams crushed not by a rival, but by a mysterious, plant-like parasite called the Ick. At first it seems oddly benign, creeping through Hank’s hometown as it slowly grows, unnoticed by a community that would rather focus on everyday life. Hank’s personal life unravels too when his girlfriend, Staci, leaves him for their classmate Ted Kim, setting Hank on a solitary road while the Ick quietly expands its reach.
Full summary
The whole story of Ick, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Ick Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Ick.
How Well Do You Know Ick?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
What career does Hank Wallace pursue after his football injury?
Ick Also Known As
Also known as “恶心”.
- Also known as
-
- 恶心
Seen Ick?
Movies Like Ick
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Ticks, Freaks of Nature and Infestation.
Articles About Ick
Our article about Ick: “Ick 2025 Review and Reception: Critics Praise Unique Storytelling and Fans Praise Eerie Atmosphere”.
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Opinions
Ick FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Ick, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Ick?
Ick runs 1 hour 27 minutes (87 minutes).
When was Ick released?
Ick was released on July 27, 2025.
Who directed Ick?
Ick was directed by Joseph Kahn.
More films by Joseph Kahn Who is in the cast of Ick?
Ick stars Brandon Routh as Hank, Mena Suvari as Staci and Malina Pauli Weissman as Grace, among 20 credited actors.
How is Ick rated?
Ick has 5.3/10 on IMDb, 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67 on Metacritic and 60% on TMDB.
Does Ick have a post-credit scene?
No. Ick has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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