Chante JVR

⭐⭐⭐✨

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this one, other than the promise of a slasher flick with a ridiculous name and a rural setting. But Clown in a Cornfield surprised me with how competently it balanced old-school horror fun with some sharp modern edges.

Based on Adam Cesare’s YA horror novel, the film follows teenager Quinn (Katie Douglas) and her father (Aaron Abrams) as they move to the seemingly peaceful town of Kettle Springs for a fresh start. But things quickly spiral when a killer dressed as the town’s creepy mascot, Frendo the Clown, starts picking off teens who represent everything the town elders despise. Yes, it’s as bonkers as it sounds and yet somehow, that works in its favour.

What works:

🤡The slasher elements are satisfyingly brutal without going overboard. The kills are creative, the tension ramps up effectively, and the setting (yes, actual cornfields) adds to the eerie atmosphere.
🤡The commentary on generational divides, though not subtle, gives the movie a little more bite than your average bloodbath.
🤡Katie Douglas carries this movie effortlessly. She brings both vulnerability and grit to Quinn, making her a genuinely likable and believable final girl. Her performance completely elevates the movie. She’s not just running and screaming (though she does that too); she brings a real emotional core to the chaos. It’s clear she knows how to anchor a genre film without overplaying it, and it makes the whole story more compelling.

What doesn’t work:

🌽There are moments where the social commentary feels a bit on the nose, and some of the character choices are classic horror-movie dumb.
🌽The pacing in the second act drags a little, and a few of the side characters are more fodder than fully fleshed-out. Still, it’s hard to be mad at a movie that knows exactly what it is.

Ultimately, Clown in a Cornfield delivers on its title and then some. It’s not revolutionary horror, but it’s a solid, bloody, good time especially if you’re into killer clowns, small-town paranoia, and cornfields that just won’t quit.