REVIEW: ‘Clown in a Cornfield’ — Campy Fun with Plenty of Bloodshed

(
KTLA
— Have you ever come across?
“Halfoween”
While the precise date for this
“halfway point to Halloween”
It usually fluctuates around late April and early May. So currently is an excellent time 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”) who moves with her dad from Philadelphia to Kettle Springs, Missouri—a small town suffering since the shutdown of its primary economic driver. The townspeople often fault a clique of teenagers known for online pranks for various issues, but Quinn soon finds herself befriending them.

Although Quinn and her dad (Aaron Abrams) believe that Kettle Springs might offer a fresh start following her mother’s passing, the town proves to be grim and rapidly descends into danger.

However, “Clown in a Cornfield” offers more than just a killer clown. The director emphasizes this point.
Eli Craig
(“Tucker & Dale vs. Evil”) explains that the film is also, in some ways, a microcosm of what can be seen in today’s charged socio-political climate.

[Cesare’s novel] serves as a reflection of the American Dream—highlighting the distorted appearance of misguided capitalism and the anger born from being at the receiving end of failure,” remarked Craig about his first impressions of the book for his adaptation. “In better days, Frendo the Clown was an adored figurehead, yet he has transformed into a emblem representing the bitterness, resentment, and frustration—the feelings that equate violence with fairness—of those who have been left behind.

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.

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 Whannell’s work.
“Wolf Man,”
Which had numerous strengths but fritters away all potential suspense by confining the action within a mere twenty-four hours.
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 like that movie, much of the film is weakened by glossing over those crucial early scenes designed to build suspense.

However, don’t be misled, we actually do this.
really
I enjoyed “Clown in a Cornfield.” Although it isn’t flawless, the film exudes care and deep knowledge of the horror genre from everyone involved. It’s hard not to be fond of it. Additionally, the movie’s 90-minute duration works well, as it knows exactly when to bow out 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.

Should the film leave you hungry for additional clown action and more cornfields, you’re in luck. Cesare has already penned two sequels directly following this one—and he recently mentioned he has ideas for more.
The fourth “Clown in a Cornfield” sequel
.

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

Score: ★★★☆☆

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