I’ve been a fan of Eli Craig ever since Tucker and Dale vs Evil. It’s one of those movies that stays in rotation and is one of the first things I recommend to friends looking for an entry level into horror. It is the perfect blend of blood and comedy. When I saw that Craig was adapting one of my recent favorite reads I was confident it was in good hands. Based on Adam Cesare’s novel of the same name, Clown in a Cornfield sticks pretty close to the source material and brings Frendo to life on the big screen. Those with coulrophobia, beware.
After the death of her mother and in search of a fresh start, Quinn (Katie Douglas) and her father Dr. Maybrook (Aaron Abrams) move to the quiet town of Kettle Springs. What they discover is a town seemingly stuck in the 90’s. A place where the older crowd reminisces about the good ole days, while the younger generation embraces progress. Annoying social media and all. Quinn falls in with a group of kids from her high school that have created a legend around Frendo the clown. Making him a YouTube sensation and painting him as a serial murderer, dead set on making the teens of this small town pay. Little do they know, Frendo, beloved mascot of Baypen Corn Syrup and corporate mascot of this once successful cornerstone of Kettle Springs lays in wait out in the cornfields. Ready to rid this town of its teen burdens.
For those familiar with my taste in film, I am a stickler for practical special effects and Clown in a Cornfield does it satisfyingly gory. From hands getting blown off to crossbow bolts piercing skulls. Once the carnage starts, there’s enough to satisfy the bloodlust for most horror fans.
With a cast ranging from lesser known to a little more well known actors, I have no complaints. You have Carson MacCormac (Shazaam!) playing Cole, the descendant of Baypen’s founder. With Kevin Durand (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes) and Will Sasso (The Three Stooges) playing bit parts as Cole’s dad and the sheriff respectively. Are their performances Oscar worthy? No, but they adequately handled this script and delivered the performances necessary for a fun trip through a small town slasher flick.
Honestly, this won’t be for everyone. Matter of fact it will probably divide fans. I can see it now, hardcore horror fans will say it was weak or it takes certain tropes too far to the point of making it annoying. The thing is though, that was the point of the original story. This flick harkens back to the days when horror was fun. When you would get a guy with a drill guitar chasing sorority girls (Sorority House Massacre II) or the meta horror nerd giving you the film rules while his friends are getting gutted (Scream). This film is for the other side. The folks that spent hours of their youth digging through the endless shitty (I say that lovingly) VHS and DVD offerings back in the day. The ones the spirit of this film honors.
This movie leans into the ridiculousness of it all and remains funny while not taking itself too seriously. Clown in a Cornfield is not a high concept horror movie. Nor is it elevated horror as seems to be the trend lately. It’s not going to win any awards but it accomplishes what it set out to do, entertain. It’s a popcorn thrill ride that harkens back to the heyday of 80’s and 90’s slashers.
It is a bit of an homage to slasher films of yore. You know what I’m talking about; mindless violence, sexually promiscuous teens, a viciously relentless killer all with a touch of comedy thrown in for good measure. This flick is a great reason to grab a date or your group of friends and head to the theaters this weekend. I certainly enjoyed it and have a feeling it will play well with teens and most horror fans. Clown in a Cornfield hits theaters May 9th and Shudder at a later date.
