Clown in a Cornfield (2025) – Frendo's Chilling Return to Slasher Glory

 Posted by FILM FLICK VERSE | Horror Reviews | April 2025

Step aside Pennywise—there's a new clown slinking through the cornrows. And he's not in town to twist balloons.

Clown in a Cornfield (2025) is a slasher of the new school with a heart that's old-school. Based on Adam Cesare's 2020 YA horror novel, this gore-fest thrill ride delivers everything genre enthusiasts crave: creepy atmosphere, killer costumes, and a body count as tall as a stack of hay bales. Written and directed by Eli Craig (Tucker & Dale vs. Evil), the film walks the fine line between dark satire and graphic violence—and accomplishes it all in under 100 minutes.

Quick Look: Movie Summary

• Title: Clown in a Cornfield
• Genre: Slasher / Horror
• Runtime: 96 minutes
• Director: Eli Craig
• Writers: Eli Craig & Carter Blanchard
• Based On: The book by Adam Cesare
• Production: Temple Hill Entertainment, Rhea Films
• Released By: RLJE Films (US), Shudder (Streaming)
• Language: English
• Country: USA
• Premiere: March 10, 2025 (SXSW)
• Theatrical Release Date: May 9, 2025

Starring

• Katie Douglas as Quinn Maybrook
• Aaron Abrams plays Dr. Maybrook.
• Kevin Durand as Arthur Hill
• Will Sasso plays Sheriff Dunne.
• Carson MacCormac as Cole
• Cassandra Potenza as Janet

Plot Summary: Welcome to Kettle Springs

In Clown in a Cornfield, Quinn Maybrook and her dad relocate to Kettle Springs, Missouri. The town is economically depressed and also suffers from intergenerational tension. But under the idyllic town is something dark: a clown mascot named Frendo, who comes out of urban myth to battle the teens.

What starts out as tension between uptight adults and rebellious teens quickly turns into anarchy, as Frendo starts to kill the teens one by one. What does he want? "Order." What does he leave behind? Destruction.

Why It Works

1. Traditional slasher atmosphere, plain and simple.

Director Eli Craig emphasizes the fundamentals: fast pace, quick scares, and creative kills. There is no slow exposition or convoluted narratives. This film gets straight to the action—and that action is gory horror.

2. Frendo: Your New Night Terror

Clown villains are tough to do convincingly without appearing ridiculous, but Frendo gets away with it. He's frightening but not ridiculous-looking, and his frequent chase scenes incite real terror. He dashes, not saunters—and that makes a big difference.

3. Commentary with a Knife

Underneath the blood, there is something sharp: a story about being afraid of change, unhealthy memories, and the difference between generations. It doesn’t lecture you, but the themes quietly surprise you—similar to Frendo himself.

Where It Fails

• Thin Character Arcs: Teen characters occupy standard slasher positions (Final Girl, Rebel, Jock), and their performances are adequate but not overly complicated.
• Cheesy Dialogue: Some adult characters veer into parody territory during “moral outrage” monologues—but honestly, that just adds to the fun in a movie like this.

Behind the Scenes

• Filming Location: Winnipeg, Canada
• Filming Dates: September 18 - October 23, 2023
• Cinematography: Brian Pearson
• Editing: Sabrina Pitre
• Music Score: Brandon Roberts and Marcus Trumpp

The camerawork is superb. The cornfields are boundless, eerie, and claustrophobic. The night scenes are dark and commanding, creating tension through the application of light and shadow rather than depending too much on jump scares.

Box Office & Budget Discussion

Today, the official budget and earnings are not revealed. Nevertheless, Clown in a Cornfield appears to be a clever low-budget indie horror film—low budget, big imagination, and a chance to be a cult classic. With its favorable reception at festivals and a distribution agreement with Shudder, it has a good chance to be successful.

Where to See

• Theaters: Now showing (since May 9, 2025)
• Streaming: Coming soon on Shudder 

Final Verdict: Worth the Trip to the Cornfield? 

Clown in a Cornfield doesn't turn the slasher wheel—but it doesn't have to. It's quick, it's fun, and it's freaky in all the best ways. With a killer bad guy, a killer speed, and actual kills that pay off, this film knows precisely what it's doing—and it does it well. 

Rating: 8/10 

Frendo is more than just a name—he’s a scary problem. Don’t ignore this one. 

What do you think—was Frendo creepy, or did you just enjoy it? Share your thoughts in the comments below! And remember to hit the follow button if you enjoy horror reviews like this one, and check back again next week for more fantastic updates.