CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD SYNOPSIS:

​A fading midwestern town in which Frendo the clown, a symbol of bygone success, reemerges as a terrifying scourge.

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RLJE Films, a business unit of AMC Networks along with Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, will release the acclaimed horror film, Clown in a Cornfield, on 4K UHD Steelbook on September 9, 2025. It will be available for an SRP of $39.99.

Clown in a Cornfield stars Katie Douglas (Ginny & Georgia), Carson MacCormac (Shazam!), Aaron Abrams (Blindspot), Will Sasso (The Three Stooges), and Kevin Durand (Kingdom of the Planet Apes). Directed by Eli Craig (Tucker and Dale vs Evil), he co-wrote the film with Carter Blanchard. The film is based on the Bram Stoker award-winning novel of the same name by Adam Cesare.

In Clown in a Cornfield, Quinn (Katie Douglas) and her father (Aaron Abrams) 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.

The Steelbook bonus features include filmmaker commentary and limited edition magnets featuring a "Pop Out" Frendo and his weapons.

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OUR FILM REVIEW

I’ve never been an avid reader, but Clown in a Cornfield brought me back into that world and sparked a horror reading addiction. The novel of the same name is a fantastic YA horror with a sick twist; it's bloody and gory and shares hints of iconic horror, which thankfully translates these goretastic attributes with ease in Eli Craig's adaptation. 

After the massive success of the IT films nearing a decade ago, it’s curious what took so long for the killer clown trend to continue. Clown in a Cornfeld came out of absolutely nowhere in 2020 and took the young adult (novel) world by storm. A riveting mystery that brings out all the best memories of reading Stephen King at an early age. It’s a phenomenal book that really seemed like it was going to be a challenge to properly adapt…

Well, safe to say that Clown in a Cornfield, apart from a few kills and character beats is as close to the book as any adaptation will ever get. It’s a film that doesn’t try to impress with largely established talent to distract the audience, with 99% of the cast gracing our screen to make a name for themselves alongside Frendo the Clown. Amongst the fresh faces, three actors standout, having been making the rounds in Hollywood over the years: Aaron Abrams (Hannibal), Will Sasso (Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage) and Kevin Durand (Abigail). All three of these actors provide a great variation of performances from an off-putting sheriff, a local aristocrat and the town doctor. Hidden amongst Kettle Springs something might be distinctively off about the local adults and they’re obvious distain toward the young folk of the town, but it’s in the legend of Frendo that everyone should be afraid. 

Frendo is essentially the town’s mascot, created as a brand icon for a local corn syrup factory that burned to a crisp. Frendo isn’t the friendliest depiction of a brand mascot, although just how friendly is Ronald McDonald anyways? Frendo never shies away from making a grand appearance and shed a little blood for the greater good. Set up as a stunt to go viral for the local youth, Frendo is a murderous clown on the prowl to kill teens - shot in eerie found footage style horror. These moments are really clever and thrilling, but it’s more so a plot device for what’s to come. The design of Frendo may seem like just a guy in a mask, but imagine a clown face with dead eyes appearing amongst the stalks of corn —- yeah I’d be dead already. 

Katie Douglas leads the film as newcomer Quinn, in a narrative that is as equally nostalgic as it is refreshing; giving the same chills as though it were coming from a classic King or Stine novel. Quinn is a tough around the edges teenager that locks into a local friend group almost instantaneously, despite being advised against by the local authorities. Douglas is incredibly engrossing as Clown in a Cornfield’s final girl initiative and while a few moments of hers can be boiled down to typical horror stereotypes, the film has a funny way of surprising you. It’s best not to love any one character because for the first time in a long time, anyone is fair game in the town of Kettle Springs. 

Blood soaked, creative and just a damn good time to be hunted by a psychotic clown, Clown in a Cornfield lives up to its name and then some. The first act of the film is rather predictable slasher fodder, but once the teens enter the corn, there’s no knowing if they’ll ever get out. Director Eli Craig, known best for his iconic debut, Tucker and Dale vs Evil, delivers a thrilling good time that knows how to turn the expected chaos on its head. If there is one fair warning for those that haven’t read the book… stay away from the trailers (good ideology for any horror fan). 

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SPECIAL FEATURES ​

• DISC ONE - 4K UHD

  • Audio Commentary with Director Eli Craig Commentary, Clown in a Cornfield Author Adam Cesare, Carson MacCormac (Cole Hill), and Katie Douglas (Quinn Maybrook)​