(
KTLA
— Have you ever come across?
“Halfoween”
While the precise date for this
“halfway point to Halloween”
It usually fluctuates towards the end of April and the start of May. Therefore, this is an ideal period for thrilling cinematic experiences — and Eli Craig’s work fits perfectly.
“Clown in a Cornfield,”
Which hits theaters this Friday offers just the right amount of thrills to kickstart some eerie enjoyment.
The film, based on
Adam Cesare
‘s
novel with the same title
Follows protagonist Quinn (Katie Douglas, star of Netflix’s “Ginny & Georgia”) as she moves with her dad from Philadelphia to Kettle Springs, Missouri—a small, declining town grappling with economic hardship after losing its primary source of employment. The townspeople often fault a clique of teenagers known for their online pranks, whom Quinn later becomes friends with.
Although Quinn and her father (Aaron Abrams) believe that Kettle Springs could serve as a fresh start following her mother’s recent passing, the town is fraught with despair and quickly descends into danger.
But there’s more to “Clown in a Cornfield” than a killer clown. Director
Eli Craig
(“Tucker & Dale vs. Evil”) suggests that the movie also serves as a small-scale reflection of the current tense sociopolitical atmosphere we see around us today.
“[Cesare’s novel] holds a mirror up to the American dream — exposing the warped facade of capitalism gone wrong and the rage that comes from being on the losing end of it,” said Craig, of his initial thoughts on his film’s source material. “Frendo the Clown, in happier times, was a beloved company mascot but now he has morphed into a symbol embodying all the embitterment, spite and aggrievement — emotions that conflate violence with justice — of those left behind.”
Craig and his collaborator Carter Blanchard crafted a script that expands upon the turmoil introduced in Cesare’s book from 2020, infusing the movie with a snappy “Scream”-style vibe that lightens some of its graphic violence. According to Craig, slashers from the ’70s and ’80s served as significant sources of inspiration for their film, which captures the playful essence characteristic of movies during that time period.
It’s a winning recipe that also helps make up for some of “Clown”‘s less successful parts.
While its atmosphere and teen cast are great, the film itself has a meandering feeling up until its terrific (and intense) climax. The first half of the film feels choppy and somewhat underdeveloped — both of which might be accounted for by budgetary restraints, so we’re inclined to forgive it. Nevertheless, it would have set the film up for a more powerful climax if we’d gotten to spend more time in Kettle Springs before things go awry.
A trend we’ve noticed with new horror movies lately is an unwillingness to allow tension to
sit
A recent instance is Leigh Whannel’s
“Wolf Man,”
Which had numerous strengths but fritters away all possible suspense by confining the action within a mere twenty-four hours.
first
On the day the family ventures into a creepy woodland, much like “The Wolf Man,” this story unfolds during the initial days of Quinn’s life in Kettle Springs. Similar to what happens in that movie, “Clown” also falters by rushing through these crucial formative scenes which should build suspense.
However, don’t be misled, we truly do
really
I enjoyed “Clown in a Cornfield.” Though it may not be flawless, it exudes warmth as though crafted with genuine affection for the horror genre by individuals who truly admire it. It’s hard not to find value in this film. Additionally, its 90-minute run time works well, allowing the movie to exit gracefully before losing steam.
Overall, go into this film not expecting “refined horror” or deep emotional release. View it if you’re a fan of horror and like seeing teenagers attempt to outwit a murderous clown. “Clown in a Cornfield” is meant to be entertaining, and that should suffice.
If the movie leaves you craving more clown and more cornfield, you’re in luck. Cesare has already written two direct followups — and he recently revealed he’s got plans for a
fourth “Clown in a Cornfield” sequel
.
“Clown in a Cornfield” is out in theaters nationwide May 9.
Score: ★★★☆☆
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.