Alright, horror fans, gather ’round! Eli Craig, the man who gave us the hilarious horror gem Tucker and Dale vs Evil, is back in the director’s chair with a brand-spankin’ new slasher flick, Clown in a Cornfield, and it’s officially slicing and dicing its way through theaters right now. I managed to catch it, and lemme tell ya, some thoughts are brewing in my horror-loving brain. This is my review of Clown in a Cornfield.
A Creepy Clown
This creepy carnival of carnage is based on Adam Cesare’s award-winning novel of the same name. In Clown in a Cornfield, we’re dropped headfirst into the seemingly sleepy little town of Kettle Spring. Our main gal, Quinn, and her dad have just entered town, hoping for a fresh start and some peace. Yeah, about that peaceful part? Forget it. Quinn quickly discovers that Kettle Spring is anything but harmonious. This town is seriously fractured, with tensions between the locals tighter than a clown’s squeaky nose. And when you think things can’t get any weirder, a seriously sinister figure pops out of the town’s cornfields. This ain’t your birthday party clown, folks. Frendo is a terrifying Clown with a bloody, laser-focused mission: to “cleanse” Kettle Springs of all its perceived problems, one gruesome and creative kill at a time.
A Killer Cast
Let’s give some props to the killer cast Eli Craig assembled. This flick’s got a pretty big ensemble, including the talented Katie Douglas (“Ginny & Georgia”), Carson MacCormac (Shazam!), and Aaron Abrams (“Hannibal”). Adding some extra punch are the hilarious Will Sasso (The Three Stooges) and the imposing Kevin Durand (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes). But the heart of the movie is Katie Douglas, who steps into the final girl role and absolutely nails it. She’s got that perfect blend of vulnerability and badassery you want to root for when the pointy things start flying.
If you’re looking for a movie that hits the ground running and doesn’t let up, then Clown in a Cornfield is your ticket. This thing is action-packed from the get-go, and the kills? Oh man, the kills! They’ve got that same kind of over-the-top, darkly comedic flair that made Tucker and Dale vs Evil so iconic. Eli Craig hasn’t lost his touch for delivering some seriously inventive and satisfyingly gruesome moments.
For all you special effects nerds out there (myself included), I interviewed Eli Craig recently, and he revealed that the special effects in Clown in a Cornfield are mostly practical. That’s right, folks. We’re talking good old-fashioned, gooey goodness that adds a real visceral punch to the scares.
A Fun Ride
Overall, Clown in a Cornfield is a seriously fun ride. It’s got enough thrills and chills to hook seasoned horror vets, but it’s also a fantastic entry point for anyone just dipping their toes into the wonderfully deadly world of slasher movies. I will also say that the twist at the end was a pleasant surprise. So grab your popcorn, maybe bring a buddy to hide behind, and get ready to face the terror lurking in the corn! Watch Cown in a Cornfield in theaters now nationwide.
