Clown in a Cornfield

While I enjoy a good slasher, I would not call myself a fiend for them. I don't subscribe to Shudder and I don't watch all the horror movies that come out. I'd even say that I tend to stay away from the schlocky and B/C grade ones, though there are those that I do enjoy. For me, this is one of those films. While I appreciate that this one tries to do a little more and have a little more to say, in the end, the slasher elements just felt okay. The kills lack creativity, the whodunit part is kind of predictable, and the film felt very much in line with your typical slasher in it's most visceral elements.

Quinn is a new kid in town and quickly finds herself among peers. They take to her, mostly, and she's soon hanging out, drinking beer, and getting cozy with one of the boys. Of course, this is a slasher and the good times don't last long before the clown starts messing things up. I will say that the film does do a good job with it's central theme, that being a divide between the generations. While the kids fit into the modern mold of being kids, getting into a bit of trouble while spending some time creating a bit of horror content for YouTube, the adults are much more morose and agitated. They don't take kindly to the kids and it's a central theme to the story throughout. The cast is also mostly good, though too many feel like throw away characters left to be fodder. Katie Douglas, Carson MacCormac and Aaron Abrams fare the best by being more than one dimensional and actually giving the movie some emotional weight. The film also contains the trappings of most slasher films, so those who love the genre staples will be right at home here. Initially, I expected the movie to be pretty cliche and similar to everything else. Then, halfway through, things take an intense turn and the movie shifts into overdrive.

Here is where most will find the film's strengths. Not content with just wallowing in the films cliches, it decides to kick things up. I won't spoil it here, but it was a pleasant surprise after thinking I'd be let down. All of that said, the movie never rose above average for me. Everything about it screams "watch at home on TV with some popcorn and friends and/or family". I can't quite put my finger on it, but the whole production feels very much run of the mill, 80's/90's slasher that you'd rent on a weekend. It does do a decent job with it's favored social commentary, even though I found that to be a little to on the nose, but it's not enough to elevate the production. On top of this, the kills lack any real creativity. We get a lot of the usual, from slashings to stabbings to severed parts. There's maybe one kill that stands out, but it's incredibly goofy and I actually laughed in the theater when it happened because it was so ridiculous. This, for me, may have been the biggest buzz kill. The lack of creativity.

Clown in a Cornfield is likely to make genre fans who eat this stuff up like corn syrup overloaded candy, but for anyone looking for something more than an average slasher, this will be a let down. It's not bad, just mostly average.

What made Adam Ceasare's book so great was that we really got to know the characters, and had long enough in the terrifying situations to really soak them in. The movie, on the other hand, feels like it flies by. It's fun, quick paced, and Quinn Maybrook is still an undeniably fun character. I loved the humor injected throughout, and every kill is great. I just wish the movie was perhaps 20 minutes longer so that we could really feel the horror elements. Ultimately it feels like they rush by the scary parts and overemphasize the message of the movie.

There's also a huge change from the book in how and why the final attack occurs, and I am not a big fan of the change.

I was in tears by the end of the movie i was laughing so hard. Immediately the credits begin with a score perfectly foreshadowing the theme of the movie (campy slasher). While i did at one point mentally compare it to Thanksgiving and wish for more to the movie in the beginning; i changed my tune by the end. I think once i switched my mindset from mainstream slasher to ~80s campy horror it really pulled my attention more. I think it does a great job of staying true to silly tropes but keeping gore up to par with current horror standards. As a horror fan i usually feel guilty not enjoying "cult classics" because i unfortunately grew up with further advanced special effects so it's harder for me to connect to "older" movies sometimes. I think this movie did a great job for those who may relate to how i feel and even for those who enjoy any campy slasher.

Clown in a Cornfield is about a girl named Quinn and her dad who move to a small town called Kettle Springs for a fresh start. They soon learn the fractured community has fallen on hard times after losing a treasured factory to a fire. As the locals bicker amongst themselves and tensions boil over, a sinister, grinning clown emerges from the cornfields to cleanse the town of its burdens, one bloody victim at a time.

The first half of the movie feels like a serious slasher with some light humour sprinkled in. I'd say it was just okay in that section. It's mostly setting things up, and it takes a little time to get going.

But once it hits the halfway mark, the tone completely shifts and that's when the movie really shines. It suddenly gets hilarious and super slashery, and that mixes really well. The jokes land perfectly with the kills, which is such a fun combo. It's funny because the humour earlier on wasn't nearly as strong, but once the gore and chaos kick in, it all clicks. I was actually laughing with the kills, and some of them really surprised me. They're shocking and funny at the same time, and it doesn't ruin the moment. It actually makes it better. Plus, the gore is awesome. The practical effects are super bloody and look great.

It's a teen horror comedy, so you've got to expect that kind of humour. It's silly at times, but that's part of the charm. There are a few surprises in the story too. Even though I thought I had it figured out early on, there was a nice little twist that changed things up.

The movie ends in a way that feels like there's more to tell. Which I'm down for. I really hope they make a sequel.

Sometimes, you just want a good, straightforward slasher, and that's exactly what Clown in a Cornfield delivers. It's gory, tense, and doesn't mess around. The setup is classic: Quinn moves to a small town, only to discover that it's hiding a deadly secret. Enter the killer clown, and suddenly the cornfields aren't just a creepy backdrop-they're a trap.

The film knows what it is and doesn't pretend otherwise. It's violent, fun, and self-aware, with some creative kills and just enough backstory to make you care about who lives and who doesn't. Sure, it leans into some slasher clichés, and there were a few "Why would you do that?!" moments, but honestly, that's half the fun of watching a movie like this.

It's not breaking new ground, but it doesn't need to. It's the kind of movie you watch for the tension, the chase scenes, and the brutal confrontations. If you're a fan of classic slashers with a bit of modern flair, you'll have a blast.