Children of the Corn (2023) spoiler free review
Nothing ever really dies in the corn. Children of the Corn is a 2020 American supernatural slasher film written and directed by Kurt Wimmer (Equilibrium, Point Break, Salt). This is the third adaptation of Stephen King’s short story “Children of the Corn” published in 1977. It’s also the first film of the franchise to be theatrically released since Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice (1993). The film premiered in Sarasota, Florida on October 23, 2020 with RLJE Films and streaming service Shudder acquiring the distribution rights on January 2023. The film had a limited theatrical release on March 3, 2023 and was released on VOD on March 21, 2023. It will also be released on Blu-ray and DVD on May 9, 2023.
A psychopathic twelve-year-old girl in a small town in Nebraska recruits all the other children and goes on a bloody rampage, killing the corrupt adults and anyone else who opposes her. A bright high schooler who won’t go along with the plan is the town’s only hope of survival.
Film synopsis
The cast includes Elena Kampouris as Boleyn Williams, Kate Moyer as Eden Edwards, Callan Mulvey as Robert Williams, Bruce Spence as Pastor Penny, Stephen Hunter as Calvin Colvington, Erika Heynatz as June Willis, Anna Samson as Sheila Boyce, Sisi Stringer as Tanika, Andrew S. Gilbert as Sheriff Gebler, Joe Klocek as Calder Colvington, Orlando Schwerdt as Cal Colvington, and Brian Meegan as Wilfred Pitt.
My opinion
Ever since Stephen King started to publish his novels in the 70s they had been adapted to the big screen. While some of them are successful (Carrie, Misery, The Shining, IT) and even considered classic horror films a few of them doesn’t have the same response (FireStarter, Graveyard Shift). In 1984 the first adaptation of King’s short story Children of the Corn was released and while that version wasn’t well received at the time, today it can be considered the best entry of this failed franchise. Every entry in the franchise is worst than the other making the original look as a good 80s horror movie.
This new remake, that also feels like a prequel, spend three years waiting for been released and it should have been stayed like that. Sometimes bad horror films can still be liked by the audience by their entertaining story, silly dialogues, and decent gore. But not even that happens here as the only salvageable thing about this movie is Kate Moyers’ performance as the kid’s leader Eden Edwards. But, that’s not enough to save this film from being an unjustified addition to the franchise. The worst part of this film can be the CGI and portrayal of “He Who Walks” that resembles Marvel character Groot but with corn. This new version only proves that this story and franchise has no salvation and should be forgotten.