Clown in a Cornfield

Synopsis: 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. 

Movie Review:

“Clown in a Cornfield,” directed by Eli Craig, is a fresh take on the horror slasher genre that delivers a good dose of silly fun, complete with plenty of gore and outrageous kills. I was genuinely surprised by how likable each character was, thanks to their distinct personalities that made me care about their fates.

Katie Douglas shines as Quinn Maybrook, a typical 17-year-old who moves to a quiet, dead-end town and inevitably finds herself in trouble. While her character could have easily been a one-dimensional cliché, Douglas brings a sweet, charming, and witty performance that truly makes her stand out in the film.

Carson MacCormac plays Cole Hill, the mayor's son, who also finds himself in hot water. His portrayal adds depth to the character, showcasing layers of complexity, inner demons, and regrets that make him far more interesting than many of the other characters in the movie.

Aaron Abrams takes on the role of Dr. Glen Maybrook, Quinn's father, and he’s fantastic as the uptight widower. His character injects some much-needed humor into the film, delivering some of the best comedic moments.

The first half of the movie follows the typical slasher formula, featuring a killer clown on the loose. However, the second half dives deeper into the lore and mythology, ramping up the excitement with even more over-the-top and gory kills, which made it a more enjoyable experience overall.

That said, aside from the four main characters, the other teenage characters felt a bit flat and seemed to exist solely to be dispatched in bizarre, over-the-top ways. The reveal of the killer and their motivations was somewhat disappointing and predictable, which took away from the overall impact.

Kevin Durand, who plays Mayor Arthur Hill, delivers a solid performance, but unfortunately, his character feels underutilized and doesn’t have much to do.

While “Clown in a Cornfield” doesn’t reinvent the slasher genre but this film blends genre elements with horror, creating a fun and entertaining experience, highlighted by a standout performance from Katie Douglas. I’d rate it a solid 3.5 out of 5.

Director: Eli Craig 

Cast: Katie Douglas, Aaron Abrams, Carson MacCormac, Cassandra Potenza, Verity Marks, Bradley Sawatzky, Vincent Muller, Ayo Solanke, Daina Leitold, Dylan McEwan, Will Sasso, Jean- Jacques Javier and Kevin Durand 

Runtime: 96 Minutes