Trailer for Eli Craig's 'Clown in a Cornfield' Debuts, Building Buzz for May Release

The slasher adaptation of Adam Cesare's novel explores generational divides and societal tensions in a small-town setting, earning critical praise ahead of its theatrical debut.

• Eli Craig's 'Clown in a Cornfield,' based on Adam Cesare's 2020 novel, premiered at SXSW 2025 to strong critical reception, achieving a 92% Rotten Tomatoes rating.
• The film follows a father and daughter navigating a divided community in Kettle Springs, where a killer dressed as the town's clown mascot, Frendo, wreaks havoc.
• The story blends slasher horror with dark comedy and explores themes of generational divides, societal tensions, and economic decline in a small-town backdrop.
• The official trailer was released on March 24, 2025, further fueling anticipation for the film's theatrical debut on May 9, 2025, followed by streaming on Shudder.
• Directed by Eli Craig, co-written with Carter Blanchard, and starring Katie Douglas, Aaron Abrams, and Kevin Durand, the film runs 96 minutes and is produced by Georges Bermann and Wyck Godfrey.

3 Articles

Collider IndieWire Paste Magazine