Clown in a Cornfield Review
review
✦
review ✦
Let’s get one thing straight: Clown in a Cornfield isn’t trying to change the slasher game—and that’s exactly why it works. Directed by Eli Craig (Tucker & Dale vs. Evil), this adaptation of Adam Cesare’s cult-favorite YA horror novel brings chaos, comedy, and clowns (plural!) in one satisfyingly twisted package. It’s smart enough to subvert expectations, simple enough to keep things fun, and bloody enough to make sure you’ll remember it.
If you’ve ever wanted Scream, Terrifier, and Riverdale to meet in the middle of a Midwest cornfield, this is your moment.
Clown in a Cornfield (2025), RLJE Films
A Clever, Trope-Filled Setup
The setup is familiar: small-town teens throw a party in a cornfield, and a killer in a creepy clown mask crashes with murder on his mind. But instead of coasting on genre clichés, the film plays with them like it’s in on the joke—because it is. It fully embraces the classic (and modern) slasher formula, then throws in a few curveballs that make it feel like more than just a nostalgia trip.
From early scenes of TikTok-esque, streamer pranks to a mid-film twist that shifts the “who” and “why,” it’s clear the script knows what it’s doing. It lets you settle into classic horror rhythms, only to pull the rug out with something a little sharper, a little stranger, and a lot more fun than expected.
A Killer Second Half
The first act sets the stage, but it’s the second half where Clown in a Cornfield really takes off. Once the clowns show up in force, it’s pure mayhem—but in the best possible way. There’s a moment involving a weight bench that somehow manages to be both horrifying and hilarious, and from there, the movie doesn’t let up. It’s gory without being gross, ridiculous without tipping into parody.
The balance between slasher thrills and humor is what really clicks here. Characters react to danger with the kind of darkly funny one-liners and deadpan panic that makes the scares feel alive rather than routine. It never becomes a full-on comedy (though it does get close), but it definitely knows when to lean into the camp—and how to make it feel like part of the fun, not the punchline.
The Vibe? Goofy, Gory, and Weirdly Endearing
Let’s talk tone—because this is where the movie wins. It’s goofy in the way that the best late-night horror flicks are. Every time Frendo the clown stomps into frame with a homemade weapon and questionable posture, the movie walks a line between creepy and cartoonish—and absolutely sticks the landing. The kills are over-the-top, but not mean-spirited. The visuals are striking without getting pretentious. It’s chaos, but curated.
More importantly, the film doesn’t take itself too seriously. There’s no prestige horror posturing here. This is a popcorn flick—maybe a blood-soaked, clown-haunted, cheerfully unhinged one—but a popcorn flick nonetheless.
A Cast That Feels Like a New Horror Crew in the Making
One of the biggest surprises? How much we liked hanging out with this group. Quinn (Katie Douglas) makes a great “final girl,” but not in a tortured or overly serious way—she’s chill, sharp, and just fed up enough to be relatable. Her dynamic with Rust (Vincent Miller), Janet (Cassandra Potenza), and Cole (Carson MacCormac) gives the film real energy. This isn’t one of those slashers where you’re counting down until the cast gets picked off. If anything, you’re hoping most of them make it out alive so you can see them in the sequel.
Even the supporting players get their moments. Whether it’s the over-it dad, or the out-of-touch town officials, the adults are just cartoonish enough to make the town feel off in the right way. It’s all part of the world-building, and it’s more complete than most indie horror even aims for.
A New MVP in Clown Horror
Look, clown horror is a weird subgenre. Between It, Terrifier, Killer Klowns from Outer Space, and a few dozen straight-to-streaming duds, the competition is weirdly fierce. But Clown in a Cornfield might just be the most fun of the bunch. It’s not the most terrifying (that’s still the It miniseries or Terrifier 2, if you can stomach it), and it’s not the most stylish (Pennywise still slays in that department), but it’s the most well-rounded due to its entertaining elements.
It’s got a distinct point of view, an ensemble you root for, and enough visual punch to feel memorable. The ending leaves the door wide open for more—and we’re not mad about that. If we’re getting a franchise out of this? Sign us up.
Score: 7.5/10
Clown in a Cornfield is a gory, goofy ride through corn-stalk mayhem, with all the ingredients of a perfect “midnight movie.”
