Clown In A Cornfield: Release date news, cast details and more about the upcoming slasher horror

Clown In A Cornfield will make its big screen entry this summer with a solid adaptation at the heart of the upcoming slasher. Director Eli Craig will lead a star-studded cast for the 2025 film. The story revolves around a sinister figure, a clown named Frendo, who haunts the town of Kettle Springs and whose history is deeply rooted in the infamous Baypen Corn Syrup Factory.

Ginny & Georgia star Kathryn Emily Douglas will play a major role (Quinn Maybrook) in Clown In A Cornfield alongside co-star Aaron Abrams (who portrays her father, Dr. Maybrook). Wyck Godfrey from hit franchises like The Twilight Saga and Smile is also a part of the production team, joined by screenwriters Carter Blanchard and Craig.

Clown In A Cornfield had its early screenings at the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival in 2025, and ever since, it has received positive audience response, along with a solid RT score. The official synopsis of the movie, per IMDb, reads:

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

When will Clown In A Cornfield be released?

Clown In A Cornfield will have a theatrical premiere in the United States on May 9, 2025, and RLJE Films is currently overseeing the distribution of the cult horror. The movie had an SXSW premiere earlier this March, and excitement has been peaking among classic horror fans since the trailer dropped.

Back in 2020, when the first plans for a slasher adaptation of Adam Cesare's novel were announced, Temple Hill Entertainment came into the picture. By mid-2023, filming commenced and was wrapped by the end of the year.

What do we know about the story of Clown In A Cornfield?

Clown In A Cornfield is a story about a small town named Kettle Springs, where things go awry after an old legend turns sinister and goes on a killing spree. At the heart of the story, we have a father-daughter duo (Quinn Maybrook and her dad, Dr. Maybrook) who have just moved into town and are yet to learn what awaits them.

The newly launched trailer by Shudder has given quite a sneak peek into the titular antagonist, Frendo The Clown, whose connections to the town are multi-fold. A local building named the Baypen Corn Syrup Factory suffers a tragic fire, and the town is equally hit by the devastating results.

It turns out that Frendo is not just a toy figure but a local legend, and the people of the town organize a parade to honor the imaginary being, with a history rooted in the mystery of Kettle Springs. After a mystery strikes the town, an evil incarnation instigates Frendo the Clown, who then comes to life and takes up a killing spree.

Is it all legend, or is it supernatural? Or is it purely a human creation to make the town aware of what controls them? Quinn struggles to find all these answers as her journey with her father gets more and more disturbing with each passing day.

Who is in the cast of Clown In A Cornfield?

Katie Douglas will lead the cast of Clown In A Cornfield in the role of Quinn Maybrook, a young girl who has just moved to the mysterious town of Kettle Springs. Alongside her, we have Amelia star Aaron Abrams in the part of Quinn's father.

Among others in the cast, we have:

Kevin Durand in the role of Arthur Hill
Will Sasso plays the role of Sheriff Dunne
Carson MacCormac in the role of Cole
Vincent Muller playing the part of Rust
Daina Leitold in the role of Trudy
Ayo Solanke is playing the part of Tucker
Cassandra Potenza in the part of Janet
Alexandre Martin Deakin playing the role of Matt
Verity Marks in the role of Ronnie

Per Variety, helmer Eli Craig reportedly made his feelings known about the upcoming slasher horror, saying:

"I’m thrilled to partner with RLJE and Shudder to release this insanely fun, action, horror, comedy where we always wanted it to be seen — in theaters!"