Clown in a Cornfield (2025)

[that1guystudios]

Originally Posted by BigPudge

After seeing this... im completely baffled by the good reviews this has gotten

+1.
Tonally - this felt all over the map. Not much of what was shown on screen landed and the plot was overly complicated for what should have been a fairly simple book adaptation. It left many themes only half-explained and poorly executed.

[pikeman1]

on digital June 10

[Joey9775]

Yeah this is sounding like "just wait for streaming"

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by Joey9775

Yeah this is sounding like "just wait for streaming"

It’s a horror comedy, it plays better with WB audience imho

[AnthonyGG]

I think this will be another one that horror fans will lump in with Founders Day and Hell of a Summer. It's a mix of Gen-Z teens, some fun kills, goofy boomer adults and a few doses of humor, some of which works. IDK, guys. Just like the other two I mentioned here, I had fun with this even though it's just not as tight or as exciting as it could be. It's got good momentum, Eli Craig keeps things moving well. I liked the cast, Katie Douglas turns in a nice "final girl" performance. Some will find it a waste of time and some will enjoy the ride. For a $5 blu-ray pick up? Sure, why not. I'd watch it again.

[The Great Owl]

Four and a half stars

When Quinn, a teenager played Katie Douglas, moves with her father from Philadelphia to the remote rural town of Kettle Springs, Missouri, she is dismayed to find that the community, which has been in economic decline since its prized business, The Baypen Corn Syrup Factory, was closed, lives up to ignorant country stereotypes. She quickly makes friends at her high school, only be scorned by the town elders for hanging out with the wrong crowd. Soon, she and her newfound crowd will have another problem. Frendo, the clown mascot of the corn syrup factory, has plans for the kids that are not particularly friendly.

The 2025 slasher horror endeavor, Clown in a Cornfield, directed by Eli Craig, is one that I greeted with a facepalm after I watched its preview trailers, which lean heavily into the comedic aspects of the story. Much to my surprise, however, this film exudes a genuine and humane respect for its young characters, taking the time to showcase all of their respective nuances before the bloody mayhem kicks in. One particular sequence, where two teenager girls are fleeing from the titular menace and run into a house to use the phone, only to find out that it is a rotary dial phone that they have no idea how to use, looks ridiculous in the previews, but actually manages to be suspenseful and intense in the grand scheme of the moment. Since I generally like my horror to be pitch black, just as I like my coffee, I have to tip my hat to this one for not letting forced humor overpower the scares.

I have never read the 2020 young adult novel by Adam Cesare from which Clown in a Cornfield was adapted. Still, I appreciate how the movie maintains an earnestness indicative of its origin while also not pulling punches with regard to splatter gore goodness. I cannot discuss the sociopolitical commentary aspects of this tale in too much detail without spoiling the surprises, but I will say that I am on board with the message.

[rooboy78]

This is actually really great. It absolutely nails that small Midwestern town slasher energy. If you enjoyed Thanksgiving and the new Fear Street trilogy then this is in the same wheelhouse. This movie knows what it’s doing and hits all the familiar beats of the genre while also still managing to feel fresh.
4/5

[HorrorBlu]

I loved this as well, and was surprised by the string of negative reviews here yesterday.

I can't imagine being a fan of teen slasher movies and not enjoying the heck out of this.

[rooboy78]

Originally Posted by HorrorBlu

I loved this as well, and was surprised by the string of negative reviews here yesterday.

I can't imagine being a fan of teen slasher movies and not enjoying the heck out of this.

For me it’s exactly what I want a slasher to be - fun cast, fresh energy, small town atmosphere. It has a great sense of humor and camp about it but it also has stakes and they’re not afraid to kill their cast. This also has more to say than most films of the genre. I think it’s quite a gem.

[BluBonnet]

[russweiss1]

I only saw one trailer for this which fortunately didn't spoil everything. There is enough violence/gore to satisfy horror fans but I wasn't vested in any of the characters surviving. The lead, Katie Douglas, plays a 17 year old but will be 27 later this year. She looks incredible throughout and helped make the viewing more enjoyable. 6/10.

[frederiickx]

I loved this movie actually! Sure, it's pretty much been done before and the clown really doesn't stand out much for a horror movie. He's no Pennywise. Anyway, the movie is really good and I WILL be buying it! Carson MacCormac was fantastic.

[MuffinMcFluffin]

This was good.

Now as a stick-shift driver myself, I am forgetful whether non push-button cars allows starting the engine when turning the key in neutral without depressing the clutch pedal. I think it does, but can anyone confirm? If not, that's my one small nitpick haha.

[format916]

Saw the 'twist' coming from a mile away. Still 'had a good time' especially the rotary phone part lol

[rooboy78]

Surprisingly this is getting a 4K steelbook! Wasn’t expecting that at all since most Shudder originals don’t typically get 4K releases but Amazon has it up for pre-order now.

[d2cheer]

Originally Posted by format916

Saw the 'twist' coming from a mile away. Still 'had a good time' especially the rotary phone part lol

Same here just watched this yesterday and should have skipped Weapons and watched this instead.

I thought this was pretty well done. Especially after finding out he did Tucker & Dale which I really liked.

I will have to see Little Evil next.

[ThisIsJonny]

Saw this opening day. My best friend and I were literally the only 2 people in the theater. lol Personally, I felt like it was a bit lukewarm, but not bad. If you like teen slashers, then you'd be into it, but unless you just enjoy seeing horror films in theaters/have a decent audience to watch with, you could just wait for streaming.

[VictoryAtNight]

Now available on Shudder. I know what I will be watching this weekend.

[VictoryAtNight]

I liked this movie. I thought that it was pretty good, with its limited budget & talent. It didn’t take it self seriously. As soon as I saw

[Show spoiler]Kevin Durand, I knew he had to be involved with the clown

. That’s the only actor I recognized in the movie.

Quinn: When your dad wants to teach you to drive stick, you f**king say yes!

[MuffinMcFluffin]

Originally Posted by VictoryAtNight

I liked this movie. I thought that it was pretty good, with its limited budget & talent. It didn’t take it self seriously. As soon as I saw

[Show spoiler]Kevin Durand, I knew he had to be involved with the clown

. That’s the only actor I recognized in the movie.

Quinn: If your father offers to teach you to drive stick, say f**king yes!

This was in my top ten of the year, till Eddington kicked it out.