Canadian atress Karen Cliche chatted with #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos about starring in “Ice Cream Man” and “Racewalkers” films.
‘Ice Cream Man’
“Ice Cream Man” follows an idyllic summer town descending into madness when an ice cream man serves kids sweet delights with horrifying results.
She also reflected on her experience in “Ice Cream Man,” where she had the chance to work with Eli Roth again — this time sharing the screen with him. Playing the parents of the young leads, she appreciated the creative freedom on set, particularly during a major dinner scene where improvisation was encouraged. She admired Roth’s efficient directing style and his unmistakable passion for the horror genre, describing his enthusiasm for horror and gore as contagious.
When discussing her role in “Ice Cream Man,” she joked that she was grateful for the upgrade from her previous Thanksgiving experience, where she humorously described her fate as being “dinner,” to now playing Eli Roth’s on-screen wife. Though the role was supporting, she valued the opportunity and the chance to be part of the project.
‘Racewalkers’
For Cliche, stepping into the world of “Racewalkers” was an unexpected and delightful experience — one that reminded her of the joy of comedy and the power of a heartfelt story.
Although she admits that reading scripts is not always her favorite part of the process, this screenplay immediately captured her attention. “I was laughing out loud and just loved the heart of it as well,” she shared. She praised the film for its balance of humor, memorable characters, and emotional depth, noting that it delivers “silly laughs” while also creating characters audiences can genuinely connect with — whether they love them or love to hate them.
In “Racewalkers,” she portrays Desiree, a reporter covering the final race. Initially approaching the unusual sport of racewalking with a sense of skepticism, Desiree’s perspective evolves as the story unfolds. By the end, she and her crew find themselves cheering on the film’s hero, becoming part of the emotional journey at the center of the story.
Working alongside Phil Moniz, Kevin Claydon, Robbie Amell, Jess Salgueiro, and the rest of the team was an experience she describes with genuine enthusiasm.
Even though her time on set was brief, she enjoyed every moment. The opportunity to collaborate with such talented performers — and to embrace improvisation — made the experience even more rewarding.
The project also offered her a surprising personal discovery: she learned about racewalking itself, but perhaps more importantly, she rediscovered how much she missed comedy. Having started her career with more comedic work, she expressed a desire to return to that space and continue exploring the lighter side of storytelling.
Advice for hopefuls in acting
For aspiring actors hoping to build a career in the industry, she emphasizes the importance of dedication, professionalism, and kindness. She believes success comes from embracing the entire journey — not just the exciting moments. “You spend most of your time auditioning and being rejected,” she explained, stressing that performers must love acting enough to appreciate every part of the process.
Looking ahead, she is excited about attending the Los Angeles premiere of “Ice Cream Man” while continuing another passion: teaching acting. Through both in-person classes in her city and online instruction, she finds fulfillment in helping performers develop their craft and watching them grow.
Success
Ultimately, she defines success not through fame or recognition, but through personal fulfillment. For her, success means living a meaningful life, overcoming challenges, persevering, loving deeply, being loved in return, and feeling proud of the person she has become.
With humor, humility, and a genuine love for storytelling, she continues to embrace every chapter of her artistic journey — always seeking opportunities to create, connect, and find joy along the way.
To learn more about Karen Cliche, follow her on Instagram.
Read More: “Racewalkers” review.
