KSL Movie Show review: ‘Clown in a Cornfield’ has the makings of a cult classic

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Every once in a while, I’ll dip my toe into the muck and mire of a classic horror comedy, based on a title alone. In this case, “Clown in a Cornfield” had me chuckling from the jump, or should I say jump scare.

A couple of teenagers partying near said cornfield decide to venture off for some extracurricular activities in the rows of maize, which means don’t bother to catch their names, ‘cause they won’t be joining us for the rest of the movie.

Yes, in case you were wondering, there is indeed a clown in the cornfield, who will make use of a farm implement to dispatch these teens in a manner not listed on the tool’s directions. We’ve just barely reached the four-minute mark.

Strap in; it’s gonna get messy.

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The year is 1991. The small midwestern town of Kettle Springs is like any other.  

Settled by the Hill family and centered around the old Bay Pen corn syrup factory, life is fairly typical; teens are bored, adults are annoyed, but the town is in turmoil.

Ever since the legendary factory, with a clown-faced logo, burned down a few months back, residents seem more than a little agitated and the grownups blame those spoiled brat, pesky teenagers.

Now, present day, this is where we meet Quinn Maybrook (Katie Douglas) and her father Glenn (Aaron Abrams), just recently moved to Kettle Springs following the tragic death of Quinn’s mom.

Dad feels the need to start anew. Quinn is not happy about it, but the town needs a new family physician, so Dr. Maybrook takes the job.

Quinn is starting her senior year in high school and will be off to college soon, so she can tolerate the place for a little while. She’s quickly drawn into the cool kids’ clique, who spend their off time making scary videos featuring the factory’s legendary mascot, Frendo the Clown.

Nice choice; not creepy at all.  

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After they shoot their most recent video, Quinn notices a second clown in the background of the shoot. Who in the heck is that? And is someone else pranking these teen pranksters?

Fortunately, we won’t have to wait too long to find out, since this is a taut 90-minute slasher film that definitely has that 80s and 90s horror vibe. Again, a lot of farm tools are not being properly used, but admittedly, the dark creativity is why we see these dumb movies in the first place.

Then I find out that the director, Eli Craig, also filmed my favorite slasher comedy of all time, “Tucker & Dale vs. Evil,” so I’m really ready to climb on that harvester and see where this ride takes me.

You want to get nuts? This thing gets nuts!

Add in the always funny Will Sasso, as the clueless town sheriff, and Kevin Durand, as the wacky Hill family patriarch, and you have the makings of a cult classic that’s sure to please your die-hard horror fans with that sick sense of humor required for just these types of nightmare adventures.

“Clown in a Cornfield” (B) Rated R for bloody horror violence, language throughout and teen drinking. Starring Katie Douglas, Carson MacCormac, Aaron Abrams, Will Sasso and Kevin Durand. Co-written and directed by Eli Craig (“Little Evil” “Tucker and Dale vs Evil”) – filmed in Winnipeg, Ontario, Canada. Running time: 96 minutes.

The KSL Movie Show with Andy Farnsworth and Steve Salles airs Fridays on KSL NewsRadio from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Follow the show on Facebook, and join The KSL Movie Show Club for exclusive perks by texting MOVIE to 57500. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Message frequency varies.