Clown In A Cornfield (2025) Spoiler Free Review
Are you a friend of Frendo? Clown in a Cornfield is a 2025 American slasher film directed by Eli Craig based on the 2020 novel by Adam Cesare. The film premiered at South by Southwest on March 10, 2025 and was released in theaters by RLJE Films and Shudder on May 9, 2025.
Looking for a fresh start, Quinn and her father move to the quiet town of Kettle Springs. 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.
Film synopsis
The cast includes Katie Douglas as Quinn Maybrook, Aaron Abrams as Dr. Maybrook, Carson MacCormac as Cole, Kevin Durand as Arthur Hill, Will Sasso as Sheriff Dunne, Vincent Muller as Rust, Cassandra Potenza as Janet, Daina Leitold as Trudy, Verity Marks as Ronnie, Ayo Solanke as Tucker, and Alexandre Martin Deakin as Matt.
“Clown in a Cornfield” delivers exactly what it promises: an entertaining and surprisingly well-acted teenager slasher that keeps you engaged from start to finish. While some might crave more gore, the film showcases creative killings. The acting from the young cast stands out as surprisingly strong, giving convincing performances. Fans of the “I Know What You Did Last Summer” (1997) structure will find familiar ground here, with a similar setup involving past trauma and vengeful return.
As an adaptation of the novel of the same name published in 2020, the film takes some liberties, most notably with the opening scene and the villain’s reveal. The added depth to Quinn’s character is a welcome change, making her more likable. However, the alteration of Quinn and her father’s relationship to a “stranded” dynamic feels somewhat cliché and less compelling than the book’s original setup.
The movie takes its time unraveling the mysteries behind the cornfield massacre, a departure from the book’s more upfront approach to the villains’ motives and identities. This pacing choice builds suspense, even if it means the “why” remains a bit more ambiguous for a longer period. The ending subtly hints at the possibility of a sequel – a different approach compared to the book’s more definitive continuation.
One of the film’s strengths lies in its balance of humor and self-awareness. It acknowledges the inherent cheesiness of a teenager slasher flick without ever becoming a parody. The Gen Z humor lands well, avoiding the cringeworthy pitfalls that often plague similar films. Ultimately, the film never pretends to be anything other than what it is: a fun, enjoyable ride based on a young adult novel.
While not groundbreaking, “Clown in a Cornfield” is a solid and entertaining horror offering. Its surprising acting, creative kills, and self-aware humor make it a worthwhile watch for genre fans, even if some of the book’s nuances are altered in translation. It successfully delivers a good time and leaves you with a lingering sense of unease, both satisfied and perhaps just a little bit scared of cornfields.
“Clown In A Cornfield” is now available in theaters and will be available on Shudder later this year.