A chilling new face of horror is set to haunt Australian cinemas as Clown in a Cornfield makes its long-awaited debut this May 8. Directed by Tucker & Dale vs. Evil‘s Eli Craig, this slasher flick promises to blend rural dread with Gen-Z rebellion, delivering bloody thrills and razor-sharp social commentary. Based on Adam Cesare’s bestselling YA horror novel, the film had its world premiere at SXSW on March 10, 2025, and now it’s StudioCanal’s turn to bring the terror Down Under.
Set in the crumbling heart of the American Midwest, Clown in a Cornfield tells the story of Quinn Maybrook (played by rising Canadian actress Katie Douglas) and her father (Aaron Abrams), who move to the desolate town of Kettle Springs in search of a new beginning. But beneath the cornfields and cracked sidewalks, something sinister brews. Since the shutdown of the Baypen Corn Syrup Factory—once a symbol of the town’s glory days—Kettle Springs has been rotting from the inside. A generational war is boiling: frustrated adults cling to tradition while rebellious teens livestream their chaos and dream of escape. Enter Frendo—the factory’s once-innocent clown mascot—now a blood-soaked embodiment of vengeance, stalking the town with one twisted goal: to eliminate the “rotten crop” and make Kettle Springs “great” again.
From Page to Screen: A Bloody Crop of Horror
With a script penned by Carter Blanchard and a gritty R rating for “bloody horror violence, language throughout, and teen drinking,” Clown in a Cornfield doesn’t hold back. It dives headfirst into a brutal critique of nostalgia-driven conservatism and teen alienation, all while serving up relentless slasher suspense. Filmed in Winnipeg in late 2023, the movie also stars Carson MacCormac as Cole, a local teen caught in the crossfire. With strong performances, a tense atmosphere, and an unforgettable villain in Frendo the clown, the film offers a fresh—and fearsome—entry into the modern horror canon.
Australia joins a global wave of anticipation, with major distributors like StudioCanal ensuring that horror lovers from Sydney to Perth don’t miss this terrifying ride. As the country prepares for the release, fans of slashers, creepy mascots, and cornfield chases should mark their calendars.
Clown in a Cornfield may look like just another teen horror movie, but behind the blood and masks lies a haunting tale about small-town decay and the monsters it creates. See it in theatres this May 8—just don’t go wandering near the cornfields afterward.
