Clown in a Cornfield Review: Killer Clown Carnage Candy

Though Clown in a Cornfield is let down by its third-act exposition dump, this horror slasher is still a gory rush of entertainment.

After an epic opening scene that sets the stage for the film’s bloody kills, Clown in a Cornfield fast forwards to the present day, where Quinn (Katie Douglas) and her father Glenn (Aaron Abrams) are traveling in a car through the downtown area of Kettle Springs. After the death of Quinn’s mother, Glenn decided to move the pair away from the East Coast, seeking a fresh start while attempting to leave painful memories behind. Though their new town is small and seemingly uneventful, it used to be known for its corn syrup, which had been produced for around 100 years and was made in the local factory. This product even has its own mascot named Frendo the Clown, who is still plastered all around town, and celebrated at the yearly Founders Day Parade.

As the narrative progresses, it’s clear to see there’s a disconnect between different generations in the community. While the older generation are deeply rooted in the town’s traditions, the younger generation considers the customs outdated and lame. Some of the teenagers even create a YouTube channel turning the beloved Frendo into a killer clown. When the teenagers of Kettle Springs become the target of a real-life Frendo killer, chaos ensues, and the audience is left trying to determine the culprit among a group of potential suspects.

For the first hour of Clown in a Cornfield, I was locked in, and the film does a great job of ramping things up. As someone who hasn’t read the books the movie is based on, I had no idea what to expect. The setting of the sleepy Midwestern town is immersive and enhances the narrative. There’s a vivid sense of presence, and you feel embedded in Kettle Springs alongside Quinn as she experiences her new surroundings for the first time. While her backstory includes the clichéd trope of a mother’s death, she stands out as a likable protagonist who is multidimensional instead of a generic horror film character without any substance. 

For those showing up to the cinema for the carnage candy, you certainly won’t be disappointed. Clown in a Cornfield delivers many gruesome kills that will satisfy horror fans, making for a thrilling theater-going experience. One thing I really appreciated about it is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It embraces a playful campy tone that only adds to the entertainment, balancing the comedy and horror superbly. I also want to praise Frendo’s design. Though simplistic, the clown’s look is skillfully crafted and genuinely unnerving.

Unfortunately, once Clown in a Cornfield reaches the killer reveal, that’s when it the film goes completely off the rails. Instead of the audience being presented with an exciting, shocking twist, the motive behind the murderous crimes feels forced and illogical. What weakens the story further is how the identity of the killer is brought to light. In the final fifteen minutes of the movie, the perpetrator’s motive is disclosed to the audience through a rushed exposition dump. Not only does this approach kill the story’s momentum, but it also feels underdeveloped, and has a shallow justification.

This is a great shame, as up until this point, the film is pure entertainment. There are some great themes present in Clown in a Cornfield, particularly when it comes to the generational divide existing between older and younger generations and their often-opposing views on the world. Still, the story doesn’t provide enough of a foundation for the ending to feel complete.

While Clown in a Cornfield doesn’t reinvent the horror wheel, and there are similar films that conclude on a more satisfying note, there’s still a lot of fun to be had during this campy horror’s runtime. If nothing else, show up to the theater on opening day for a gleeful dose of carnage candy.

Clown in a Cornfield will be released in US theatres, in UK & Irish cinemas, and globally in theaters on May 9, 2025.