I've been a fan of Eli Craig since Tucker and Dale vs. Evil. It's one of those movies that keeps coming back to me, and it's one of the first I recommend to my friends looking to get into horror. It's the perfect blend of gore and comedy. When I saw that Craig was adapting one of my recent favorite reads, I knew I was in good hands. Based on the novel of the same name by Adam Cesare, Clown in a Cornfield stays pretty faithful to the source material and brings Frendo to life on the big screen. Coulrophobia beware!
After the death of her mother and in search of a new beginning, Quinn (Katie Douglas) and her father, Dr. Maybrook (Aaron Abrams), move to the quiet town of Kettle Springs. What they discover is a town that seems stuck in the 90s. A place where the older people remember the good times, while the younger people embrace progress. Pesky social media and all. Quinn joins a group of kids at his high school who have created a legend around Frendo the clown.
Director: Eli Craig
Writers: Carter Blanchard, Eli Craig, Adam Cesare
Stars: Katie Douglas, Aaron Abrams, Carson MacCormac
They've turned him into a YouTube sensation and portrayed him as a serial killer, determined to make the teenagers of this small town pay. What they don't know is that Frendo, the beloved mascot of Baypen Corn Syrup and corporate mascot of the once-successful cornerstone of Kettle Springs, lurks in the cornfields, ready to rid this town of its adolescent burdens.
For those who know my film taste, I'm a sucker for practical special effects, and Clown in a Cornfield pulls them off in a satisfyingly gory way. From severed hands to crossbow bolts piercing skulls, once the carnage begins, there's enough to sate the bloodlust of most horror fans.
With a cast that ranges from lesser-known actors to some well-known ones, I have no complaints. You have Carson MacCormac (Shazaam!) playing Cole, the descendant of the founder of Baypen. With Kevin Durand (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes) and Will Sasso (The Three Stooges) playing supporting roles as Cole's father and the sheriff, respectively. Will their performances be Oscar-worthy? No, but they handled the script perfectly and delivered the necessary performances for a fun adventure in a small-town horror movie.
Honestly, it won't be for everyone. In fact, it will probably divide fans. I can see it; hardcore horror fans will say it was weak or that it takes certain tropes too far to the point of being annoying. The point is, that was the point of the original story. This film evokes a time when horror was fun. When you saw a guy with a drill-powered guitar chasing sorority girls (Sorority House Massacre II) or the meta-horror geek giving you the movie rules while his friends were getting ripped to shreds (Scream), this movie is for the other camp. The people who spent hours of their youth searching through the endless, crappy (and I say this with affection) VHS and DVD offerings of yesteryear. Those whom the spirit of this movie honors.
This movie delves into the ridiculous and maintains its humor without taking itself too seriously. Clown in a Cornfield isn't a horror movie with a complex concept. Nor is it elevated horror, as seems to be the trend lately. It's not going to win any awards, but it achieves what it set out to do: entertain. It's a popcorn-fueled thriller that evokes the heyday of horror movies in the '80s and '90s.
It's a homage to the horror movies of yesteryear. You know what I'm talking about: rampant violence, sexually promiscuous teens, a brutally ruthless killer, all with a touch of comedy to top it all off. This film is a great excuse to get together with a date or a group of friends and go to the movies this weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I have a feeling it will be a hit with teens and most horror fans. Clown in a Cornfield opens in theaters on May 9th and on Shudder later.
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