It’s been a sparse few months’ horror movie wise (I often find there’s a bit of a lull around springtime) so I’ve found myself desperately waiting for something juicy, or should I say, gory, to be released. Rather unexpectedly, “Clown in a Cornfield” popped up and immediately sparked my interest. What’s not to love? Killer Clowns? Check? Creepy cornfield setting? Check? Slasher kills? Sign me up.
And whilst it certainly won’t be winning horror movie of the year, I had a whale of a time watching it. Like my recent viewing experience of “Fear Street: Prom Queen,” “Clown in a Cornfield” offers a gentle, but fun, slasher experience for those who might want something a little on the softer side or who might be new to the genre. And though not the most complex of plotlines, I still found myself drawn in and curious to get to the big finale reveal.
The Usual Horror Tropes
Directed by Eli Craig and based on the novel by Adam Cesare, the film opens with a group of teenagers having a party in a cornfield in Kettle Springs, Missouri, near the old, abandoned Baypen Corn Factory (kids never learn, do they?). Naturally, a couple decide to go and get frisky in the cornfield—and in true slasher style, they’re punished for their promiscuity by being brutally murdered by a big creepy clown.
Flash forward to present day and we meet Quinn (Katie Douglas) and her father (Aaron Abrams) as they make the big move from Philadelphia to Kettle Springs, following the death of their mother and wife. Quinn comes with a bad-ass attitude, angry with her father for making her move to a seemingly small, boring town. After getting detention on her first day, she falls in with the ‘wrong crowd’: Cole (Carson MacCormac), Janet (Cassandra Potenza), Ronnie (Verity Marks), and Tucker (Ayo Solanke).
Bonding over their shared detention and hatred of maths teacher Mr Vern (Bradley Sawatzky), the group decide to let Quinn in on what they do for fun—making fake YouTube videos that feature the town’s beloved Clown, Frendo, as a crazed killer. But when they examine the footage from one of their videos, they see what looks to be the real Frendo Clown lurking in the background—one that is definitely NOT part of the prank.
Frendo the Clown
One by one, the group are attacked by what they believe to be Frendo the Clown, though they soon learn that there may be more to this killer than meets the eye. Throw in some awkward love scenes, drunken teenage antics, terrible town policing (what is it with the police in slashers?), and you’ve got yourself a pretty decent slasher.
Though not exactly groundbreaking, “Clown in a Cornfield” is fun, and quirky, with some cute coming-of-age scenes and twists. The characters lack a little depth, with some slightly questionable acting in place, but nothing that seriously hinders the overall enjoyment or effect. It does all feel a bit amateur, but I can appreciate the attempt to offer some surprises along the way that pay off quite well.
And as there are another two books in this series, it’s likely we can at least expect a prequel. And whilst I might not be in an immediate rush to rewatch the first, I’d certainly be up for returning to the movie theatres for part 2.
