Clown in a Cornfield brings together a number of horror tropes in a gory and fun slasher. Quinn (Katie Douglas, Ginny & Georgia) and her father Dr. Glenn Maybrook (Aaron Abrams, The Lovebirds) have moved to the small town of Kettle Springs. The town has been devastated after their corn syrup factory has burned down. During the town’s centennial, a clown named Frendo emerges from the cornfield to cleanse the population.
Even the best movies involving teenagers have issues with consistency. Sometimes, the writing sounds like what older people think young people sound like. It is so common that unless it is very egregious, it is easily forgivable. Clown in a Cornfield focuses on some of the high school’s more notorious students. The characterizations are some of the best seen in years. Quinn and her friends look and sound like real teens. Yes, they can be annoying, but aren’t all real teenagers?
Because of this, it is easy to get immersed in the plot. Clown in a Cornfield does not try to reinvent the wheel. It takes some of the most loved parts of slashers and puts a fun spin on them. This includes a creative weightlifting kill (a staple of 1980’s horror), a pointed look at the generational gap, and a chaotic climax.
The film is also funny. Humor is sprinkled throughout and really kicks into high gear as the action heats up. Ridiculous kills bring some of the laughs, but there is also genuinely funny comedy. Much of it happens in the most unexpected scenes. Clown in a Cornfield knows how to be gross and entertaining – which is easier said than done.
There are only so many horror stories to tell and it can be hard to not be derivative. Killer clowns and teen slashers are two popular stories that have been around for a long time. Clown in a Cornfield manages to combine the two in an exciting and humorous watch that genre fans will enjoy.
Clown in a Cornfield is screening at South by Southwest. SXSW is taking place from March 7 – March 15.
