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Quinn and her father have just moved to the quiet town of Kettle Springs hoping for a fresh start. Instead, she discovers a fractured community that has fallen on hard times after the treasured Baypen Corn Syrup Factory burned down. As the locals bicker amongst themselves and tensions boil over, a sinister, grinning figure emerges from the cornfields to cleanse the town of its burdens, one bloody victim at a time. Welcome to Kettle Springs. The real fun starts when Frendo the clown comes out to play.
As a big fan of Eli Craig's 'Tucker & Dale vs. Evil' and the slasher genre in general, I approached 'Clown in a Cornfield' with considerable anticipation. Buoyed by positive reviews, my expectations were not only met but exceeded. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised it was this good. While it isn’t some brilliant film, it does execute its objectives with precision and flair.
The narrative and its small-town backdrop evoked shades of Eli Roth's 'Thanksgiving,' yet 'Clown in a Cornfield' distinguishes itself through superior craftsmanship. Eschewing the juvenile script and grating characters that plagued ‘Thanksgiving,’ even the unlikable characters here are funny without being too obnoxious. I really liked a good number of the characters. Katie Douglas is very likable as Quinn, embodying the final girl archetype with compelling charisma. Without divulging spoilers, I found myself genuinely invested in the fates of the surviving characters, particularly enjoying a cute narrative twist involving a couple of them.
‘Clown in a Cornfield’ is a blast, and I ardently hope to see the remaining installments of the book series adapted for the screen. While I haven't read them, the synopsis of the second book alone has me eager to witness its translation into film. It would be great to see these characters again.
To any horror aficionados reading this with the opportunity to experience 'Clown in a Cornfield' in a theatrical setting, I implore you to do so. It deserves your support. If a theatrical viewing is not possible, be sure to rent or purchase it when you can.
On a side note, I really enjoyed the various artists' soundtrack. Unfortunately, I'm having difficulty locating a comprehensive list of the music used. If anyone is able to identify any of the tracks, please comment with the song titles. I would greatly appreciate it.
4.5/5
