New Trailer Drops for ‘Clown in a Cornfield’ Slasher Flick
A new killer clown is about to stalk the cornfields, and I’m pretty excited to see how this one plays out. ‘Clown in a Cornfield’ is hitting theaters soon, bringing a fresh slasher flick to horror lovers everywhere. Directed by Eli Craig, the guy behind the wild ‘Tucker & Dale vs. Evil,’ this movie promises a bloody good time with a creepy clown named Frendo at the center of it all.
The story follows Quinn, played by Katie Douglas, and her dad, portrayed by Aaron Abrams. They’ve just moved to Kettle Springs, a small town that’s seen better days. After the local corn syrup factory burned down, the place split apart, with folks arguing and tensions running high. That’s when Frendo shows up—a grinning, knife-happy figure ready to ‘cleanse’ the town, one victim at a time. It’s a simple setup, but it’s got that classic slasher vibe we all know and love.
Eli Craig teamed up with writer Carter Blanchard to adapt this from Adam Cesare’s 2020 novel. The book was a hit, even snagging a Bram Stoker Award for Best Young Adult Novel. Since then, Cesare’s kept the story going with two sequels—‘Clown in a Cornfield II: Frendo Lives’ in 2022 and ‘Clown in a Cornfield III: The Church of Frendo’ last year. With a fourth book on the way, it’s clear this clown’s got staying power.
The cast is packed with familiar faces. Alongside Douglas and Abrams, you’ve got Carson MacCormac from ‘Shazam!,’ Will Sasso of ‘The Three Stooges,’ and Kevin Durand, who popped up in ‘Abigail.’ They’re all thrown into this fading Midwestern mess, where Frendo used to be a symbol of happier times before turning into a nightmare. It’s a cool twist—taking something innocent and making it terrifying.
Filming wrapped up in Winnipeg back in late 2023, and now the movie’s ready to roll out. It’s kicking off with a world premiere at South by Southwest on March 10, 2025, before landing in theaters across the U.S. on May 9, thanks to RLJE Films and Shudder. After that, it’ll stream on Shudder for anyone who’d rather watch Frendo’s rampage from the couch.
The production crew’s no slouch either. Temple Hill Entertainment, the folks behind ‘Smile,’ is backing it, with big names like Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey on board. That kind of muscle suggests they’re serious about making this a standout. And with Cesare’s books building a solid fanbase, there’s a good chance we’ll see more of Frendo if this one lands well.
For me, ‘Clown in a Cornfield’ feels like a throwback to those ‘80s slashers I grew up on, but with a fresh coat of paint. Killer clowns aren’t new—Pennywise and Art have had their moments—but Frendo’s bringing something different to the table. If Craig’s past work is any clue, this could be a fun, messy ride worth catching in theaters next spring.