Clown in a Cornfield is a 2025 American slasher film directed by Eli Craig and written by Craig and Carter Blanchard. It is based on the 2020 novel by Adam Cesare, and stars Katie Douglas, Aaron Abrams, Carson MacCormac, Kevin Durand, and Will Sasso.
| Clown in a Cornfield | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Eli Craig |
| Screenplay by |
|
| Based on | Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Brian Pearson |
| Edited by | Sabrina Pitre |
| Music by |
|
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by | |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 96 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
It premiered at South by Southwest on March 10, 2025, followed by a theatrical release in the US on May 9, 2025.
Cast
edit- Katie Douglas as Quinn Maybrook
- Aaron Abrams as Dr. Maybrook, Quinn's father
- Carson MacCormac as Cole
- Kevin Durand as Arthur Hill
- Will Sasso as Sheriff Dunne
- Vincent Muller as Rust
- Cassandra Potenza as Janet
- Daina Leitold as Trudy
- Verity Marks as Ronnie
- Ayo Solanke as Tucker
- Alexandre Martin Deakin as Matt
Production
editPlans to adapt Clown in a Cornfield were announced in 2020, prior to the novel's August release. The rights were purchased by Temple Hill Entertainment, with plans to turn the novel into a feature film.[2] Eli Craig directed the script written by Carter Blanchard.[3] Filming took place in Winnipeg from September 18 to October 23, 2023.[4]
Release
editClown in a Cornfield premiered at the 2025 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival on March 10.[5][1] The film is scheduled for wide release by RLJE Films and Shudder on May 9, 2025.[6]
Entertainment Film Distributors acquired the distribution rights of the film for U.K. release, Constantin Film for Germany and Switzerland, SND for France, Belga Films for Benelux, Elevation Pictures for Canada, StudioCanal for Australia and New Zealand, M2 Films for Eastern Europe, NOS Audiovisuais, for Portugal, ACME for Baltics, Tohokushinsha Film for Japan and Stage 6 Films for all other international markets.[7]
Reception
editOn the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 90% of 21 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.10/10.[8]
Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com gave the film a rating of 2.5 over 4 and he said; I found Craig’s film much more interesting when it was just allowed to be chaotic instead of when it was explaining the chaos.[9]
Maegan Navarro of Bloody Disgusting gave the film a rating of 3 over 5 rating and she wrote; Tucker and Dale vs. Evil director Eli Craig tackles the mostly faithful adaptation with aplomb, bringing the right balance of gore and comedy for a zippy, lean slasher.[10] However Owen Gleiberman of Variety gave the film a negative review and wrote; The film, in its trivial way, exudes a dyspeptic downer vibe, the result of everyone in it being so testy and unpleasant.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b "Clown in a Cornfield SXSW 2025 Schedule". South by Southwest. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
- ^ Squires, John (2020-05-21). "Adam Cesare's Slasher Novel 'Clown in a Cornfield' Publishing in August With Film Adaptation in the Works". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on 2020-09-17. Retrieved 2020-09-23.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (2022-10-28). "'Smile' Producers Line Up Slasher Horror 'Clown In A Cornfield', Protagonist Launches Sales — AFM". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 2023-05-12. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
- ^ "Clown In A Cornfield". Production List. Film & Television Industry Alliance. August 21, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (January 22, 2025). "Seth Rogen Comedy Series 'The Studio' To Open SXSW 2025; 'The Accountant 2,' 'Death Of A Unicorn', 'Drop,' 'Happy Face' & More Also To Screen". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
- ^ T, Amber (November 25, 2024). "Slasher Clown in a CornfieldPicked Up By Shudder For 2025 Release". Fangoria. Archived from the original on January 13, 2025. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ Ritman, Alex (February 17, 2023). "Berlin: 'Clown in a Cornfield' YA Horror From 'Smile' Producers Sells Out for Protagonist (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 19, 2025. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ "Clown in a Cornfield". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
- ^ Tallerico, Brian (March 14, 2025). "Clown in a Cornfield". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
- ^ Navarro, Maegan (March 12, 2025). "'Clown in a Cornfield' SXSW Review – A Lean, Mean Teen Slasher". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
- ^ Gleiberman, Owen (March 11, 2025). "'Clown in a Cornfield' Review: A Woefully Derivative Killer-Clown Slasher Movie". Variety. Retrieved March 15, 2025.