(
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. So this is an ideal moment for some thrilling movie 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 spooky entertainment.

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 the small town of Kettle Springs, Missouri—a once-thriving community now grappling with economic hardship after losing its primary source of employment. The townspeople often point fingers at a clique of teenagers known for their online pranks. Eventually, Quinn forms friendships within this same group of young people.

Although Quinn and her dad (Aaron Abrams) wish for a fresh start in Kettle Springs following her mother’s passing, the town is fraught with despair and rapidly 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 tense socio-political environment we see today.

[Cesare’s novel] acts as a reflection of the American Dream—revealing the distorted face of misdirected capitalism and the anger born from experiencing defeat within this system,” remarked Craig about his first impressions of the book for his adaptation. “In better days, Frendo the Clown was an adored figurehead; however, he has transformed into a representation of bitterness, resentment, and frustration—all sentiments that equate violence with fairness among those who have been marginalized.

Craig and co-writer Carter Blanchard’s screenplay builds on the unrest laid out in Cesare’s 2020 novel, while also imbuing the film with a quippy “Scream”-like sensibility that helps cut some of the film’s and gory kills. Craig explained that slasher films of the 70s and 80s were major inspirations for the film and the campy identity of that era’s films is all over Craig’s.

This formula is a winner that also aids in compensating for some of “Clown”‘s weaker elements.

Although the movie boasts an excellent atmosphere and talented young actors, it exudes a rather aimless vibe throughout most of its runtime until reaching a fantastic—and highly charged—conclusion. The initial portion of the film seems disjointed and slightly undercooked, possibly due to financial limitations; thus, we find it easy to overlook this shortcoming. Nonetheless, providing us with additional screen time in Kettle Springs prior to everything falling apart could have significantly amplified the overall impact of the story’s peak moments.

One thing we’ve observed in recent horror films is a reluctance to build up tension effectively.
sit
A recent instance is Leigh Whannell’s work.
“Wolf Man,”
Which had numerous promising elements but fritters away all potential suspense by confining the entire story within one day.
first
On the day the family ventures into a creepy woodland. Similar to “The Wolf Man,” “Clown” unfolds during the initial days of Quinn’s time in Kettle Springs, and much like that movie, the remainder of this film also falters due to overlooking those crucial scenes where suspense gradually builds up.

However, don’t be misled, we truly do
really
I enjoyed “Clown in a Cornfield.” Although it may not be flawless, it exudes a sense of genuine affection from creators who truly grasp and cherish the horror genre. It’s hard not to find value in it. Additionally, its 90-minute run time is commendable, as the film wisely chooses to conclude before the momentum wanes.

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 outsmart a murderous clown. “Clown in a Cornfield” aims simply to entertain, and that should suffice.

If the film makes you want more clowns and more cornfields, you’re in luck. Cesare has already penned two sequels, and he recently mentioned that he has ideas for additional installments.
The fourth “Clown in a Cornfield” sequel
.

“Clown in a Cornfield” hits theaters across the country on May 9th.

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 WJTV.