✅ Clown in a Cornfield (2025) is a horror-thriller based on Adam Cesare’s novel, following a teenager and her father who move to a new town only to find themselves targeted by a murderous clown.

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6.2/10

Clown in a Cornfield

Director: Eli Craig

Writer: Carter Blanchard, Eli Craig, Adam Cesare

Stars: Katie Douglas, Aaron Abrams, Carson MacCormac

Plot: A fading midwestern town in which Frendo the clown, a symbol of bygone success, reemerges as a terrifying scourge.

Countries: United States

Languages: English

IMDb: View on IMDb

Clown in a Cornfield (2025) – Movie Overview & Analysis-BollyFlix

Movie Details 

• Full Name: Clown in a Cornfield (2025)
• Language: English
• Budget: $1,000,000.00
• Revenue: $7,844,385.00 (Worldwide Box Office)
• Runtime: 96 minutes (1 hour 36 minutes)
• Release Date: May 9, 2025 (USA Wide Release)
• Genres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Slasher
• Cast: Katie Douglas (Quinn Maybrook), Aaron Abrams (Dr. Glenn Maybrook)..
• Directors: Eli Craig
• Screenplay: Eli Craig, Carter Blanchard
• Story by: Adam Cesare (Novel)
• Studios & Producers:
  • Production Companies: Protagonist Pictures, Temple Hill Entertainment, Hercules Film Fund, Rhea Films, Thundersnow Pictures, 1821 Pictures.
  • Distributor: RLJE Films, Shudder (US); IFC (US); Palace Nova (Australia); Constantin Film (Germany); Entertainment Film Distributors (UK).
  • Producers: Carter Blanchard, Marty Bowen, Terry Dougas, John Fischer, Wyck Godfrey.
• Voice Cast: N/A
• Animation & Style: Live-action

SCREENSHORT

Plot Summary

Seventeen-year-old Quinn Maybrook and her father, Dr. Glenn Maybrook, move from Philadelphia to the quiet, economically struggling town of Kettle Springs, Missouri, seeking a fresh start after the tragic death of Quinn’s mother. Kettle Springs is a community divided: the adults long for the “good old days” before the Baypen Corn Syrup Factory burned down, blaming the unruly youth for the town’s decline. The teenagers, feeling stifled and misunderstood, seek amusement through pranks and social media. As tensions between generations escalate, a sinister, grinning figure emerges from the cornfields – Frendo, the town’s beloved clown mascot, now transformed into a terrifying killer. This individual begins to systematically target the town’s young residents, initiating a bloody cleansing. Quinn and her new friends find themselves fighting for survival against the relentless clown and must uncover the dark truths and hidden agendas lurking beneath Kettle Springs’ seemingly idyllic surface, revealing a long-standing tradition of violence against those perceived as burdens.

Cast & Crew

Directed by Eli Craig, “Clown in a Cornfield” stars Katie Douglas as Quinn Maybrook and Aaron Abrams as her father, Dr. Glenn Maybrook. The cast also includes Carson MacCormac, Kevin Durand, and Will Sasso in key roles, portraying various members of the divided town of Kettle Springs. The screenplay is by Eli Craig and Carter Blanchard, based on the novel by Adam Cesare. The film is produced by a consortium of companies including Protagonist Pictures and Temple Hill Entertainment.

Critical & Audience Response

“Clown in a Cornfield” has received generally positive reviews from critics, praised for its blend of classic slasher tropes with a fresh, contemporary social commentary on generational divides. Critics highlighted its effective scares, memorable set pieces, and a screenplay that manages to be both fun and thought-provoking. The performances, particularly from Katie Douglas, Aaron Abrams, and Kevin Durand, have been noted as strong. The film has also performed well at the box office for an independent horror film, breaking records for its distributor IFC. Audiences have also responded positively, appreciating its balance of horror, laughs, and strong character work.

Direction & Cinematography

Eli Craig’s direction effectively balances the film’s horror and comedic elements, creating a tense yet entertaining experience. The cinematography contributes significantly to the atmosphere, capturing the ominous beauty of the cornfields and the unsettling nature of Kettle Springs. The visual storytelling enhances the suspense, particularly during the slasher sequences.

Music & Background Score

The music, with composers Brandon Roberts and Marcus Trumpp, plays a crucial role in building suspense and enhancing the horror elements. The background score effectively underscores the film’s thrilling moments, from quiet tension to frantic chases, contributing to the overall terrifying atmosphere.

Visuals & Special Effects

The film’s visual effects are designed to deliver gruesome and impactful scares, true to the slasher genre. Despite a relatively modest budget, the filmmakers employ creative techniques to maximize the visual horror, from practical effects for the killer clown to the depiction of gory scenes, contributing to the film’s effectiveness.

Editing & Screenplay

The screenplay by Eli Craig and Carter Blanchard, based on Adam Cesare’s novel, is noted for its sharp dialogue and relevant thematic foundation concerning generational divides. The editing maintains a brisk pace, ensuring the slasher sequences are thrilling and the narrative unfolds with consistent tension, making the film consistently engaging despite some genre predictability.

Positives / What Works

“Clown in a Cornfield” excels with its blend of classic slasher elements and contemporary social commentary. The film offers a solid balance of scares, laughs, and character development. Strong performances from the cast, particularly Katie Douglas, and effective direction from Eli Craig, contribute to its success. Its ability to create genuine suspense and deliver on gory kills while also exploring relevant themes makes it stand out. The relatively low budget is used creatively, focusing on character interactions and inventive scares.

Negatives / What Doesn’t Work

While generally well-received, some critics noted that the film, being a slasher, can fall into predictable tropes common to the genre. Some plot developments might be anticipated by seasoned horror fans. The justification for the killer clowns’ actions, while thematically relevant, might feel a bit of a stretch for some viewers, and deeper exploration of certain characters’ backstories could have added more emotional weight.

Final Verdict / Conclusion

“Clown in a Cornfield” is a highly enjoyable and effective slasher film that successfully updates classic horror conventions for a new generation. It delivers on its promise of chills, memorable kills, and bloody mayhem while also incorporating thought-provoking themes about generational conflict. With strong performances, tight direction, and a solid screenplay, it’s a compelling watch for horror enthusiasts and a promising addition to the recent wave of inventive low-budget horror successes. It’s a film that knows exactly what it is and plays to its strengths.

Movie Rating

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