Take Two: ‘Clown in a Cornfield’

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You might do a double take during “Clown in a Cornfield’s” prologue.

In the scene, a couple of enthusiastic teenagers are about to engage in an intimate moment, but their actions are abruptly halted by the arrival of a menacing clown with murderous intentions.

Is this 2025 or 1985?

In “Clown in a Cornfield,” there are some references to classic horror movie elements, providing a few laughs here and there. However, it doesn’t fully dive into the concept as one might anticipate. The result is a believable thriller featuring a charming protagonist and, naturally, a menacing clown villain.

Some formulas are bulletproof for a reason. Right, Art?

Young Quinn, played by Katie Douglas, and her widowed father Glen, portrayed by Aaron Abrams, depart the bustling city of Philly to settle in the humble town of Kettle Springs, Mississippi. This quaint locale has seen better days since a fire devastated its main attraction, The Baypen Corn Syrup Factory, causing it to lose its charm.

Life has been grim since the blaze, but local teens make do with hormone-friendly diversions.

Quinn easily makes friends with a group of fellow high school students, some who are being accused for the fire. She develops a connection with attractive Cole (Carson MacCormac) and manages to dodge the cold glare from bottle-blonde Janet (Cassandra Potenza), reminiscent of the “Mean Girls” clique.

Her latest acquaintances have an intense interest in producing humorous videos featuring the factory’s mascot, known as Frendo, portrayed as a slasher villain reminiscent of Jason. It’s quite self-referential and offers a few chuckles along with some unexpected scares.

The real scares will soon follow.

RELATED: BARRY WURST TAKES ON ‘CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD’

Movie director Eli Craig, known for creating the beloved cult hit “Tucker and Dale vs. Evil,” has another success with his latest creation, Douglas. She’s a character that feels authentic and relatable, which are crucial elements when considering candidates for the Final Girl role.

The actress shares an equally powerful connection with her father. Despite harboring some disagreements over his decisions, she demonstrates a large amount of empathy, recognizing that life can be challenging without her mother (who is also his spouse).

The movie’s violent scenes are appropriately gruesome, and it breaks its own pattern during the storyline. This amplifies the terror of the clown character, but it also simplifies figuring out the main enigma.

In the movie, the mayor, played by Kevin Durand, is deeply attached to tradition, much like many town residents, thereby enriching the small-town setting. The sheriff, portrayed by Will Sasso, shifts from his usual comic role to a more intimidating one, making Kettle Springs feel anything but refreshing.

That kind of depth matters in a genre romp, even though it might not seem that way.

Giving credit where it’s due, Craig has successfully established a connection among the newcomer actors. In other words, he has effectively fostered a bond between them.

Credit goes to Craig for making the new actors feel like a team. He helped them get along and work well together.

In ‘Clown in the Cornfield,’ the parody never reaches its full potential, and its nods to traditional horror tropes (such as referencing the theme from ‘Friday the 13th’) seem somewhat scattered. Yet, despite being a slasher film, there’s an authenticity to it that’s unexpected but commendable.

And good luck finding a dull moment.

Title Verdict: “Clown in a Cornfield” effectively delivers on its horror genre expectations, with a strong final girl character and the universal dread associated with clowns.

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2025-05-09 22:03