🎯 Quick Overview

Trailer

Director: Kurt Wimmer
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Release year: 2020
Runtime (length): 1h 33min
IMDb rating: 3.8/10 (18K votes)
Rotten Tomatoes: 11%

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😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Local kids get super mad about bad corn yields and adult incompetence, so they decide the only logical solution is a town-wide parent naptime… forever, courtesy of a grumpy corn creature.

🍿 Children of the Corn: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Town in Decline

The small farming town of Rylstone, Nebraska, is facing hardship. Their vital corn crops are failing due to a fungal blight and chemical fertilizers, leading adults to consider a government buyout that requires destroying the fields. This decision sparks conflict between the townspeople, particularly the younger generation who see the corn as sacred or tied to their future.

The Rise of the Children

Led by the enigmatic and increasingly radical Eden Edwards, the children begin to believe the adults’ actions are irresponsible and pose a threat to their way of life and the land itself. Drawing upon dark influences, Eden convinces the town’s youth that they must rise up and eliminate the adults who are ruining their future and disrespecting the corn. This brewing rebellion begins subtly before escalating into violence.

Seeds of Rebellion

The film follows Boleyn ‘Bo’ Williams, a high school student planning to leave Rylstone for college, who finds herself caught in the middle. As the children become more organized and menacing under Eden’s leadership, the adults dismiss the threat, contributing to their downfall. A pivotal town meeting where the adults mock the children’s concerns further ignites the tension and sets the stage for a violent takeover.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

If you plan to watch the movie first, watch here and come back to this section afterward.

See Spoilers and Ending

The Massacre and Aftermath

The children, organized and ruthless, successfully round up and imprison most of the adults in the town’s police station. Other adults are systematically hunted down and killed. The film depicts brutal scenes of the children executing the adults, often using farming tools or other available means. Bo attempts to survive and find a way to stop the escalating violence, clashing with Eden and her followers.

Confrontation with He Who Walks

As the chaos unfolds, the children also interact with a powerful, monstrous entity from the cornfield, known as “He Who Walks Behind the Rows.” This creature is depicted as a large, plant-like being, seemingly empowered by the corn and the sacrifices made to it. Bo eventually faces off against Eden and the creature in the heart of the cornfield, leading to a destructive confrontation.

The Final Stand and Lingering Threat

In the climax, Bo manages to trigger a massive explosion in the cornfield, seemingly destroying He Who Walks and Eden. However, the film’s ending suggests that the entity’s influence may not be entirely eradicated. A final scene implies the cyclical nature of the horror, reinforcing the tagline that “Nothing ever really dies in the corn,” hinting at the potential for the cycle of violence and the corn’s power to continue.

🎬 Cast & Characters

Boleyn Williams (Elena Kampouris): The determined teenager who becomes the central figure attempting to stop the murderous children.
Eden Edwards (Kate Moyer): The charismatic and ruthless young girl who leads the massacre of the town’s adults.
Robert Williams (Callan Mulvey): Boleyn’s father and a key adult figure advocating for the town’s future before being targeted by the children.
Pastor Penney (Bruce Spence): An older town figure who is an early target as the children’s uprising begins.
Cecil (Jayden McGinlay): Boleyn’s brother who joins the children’s cult, creating a direct conflict for the protagonist.

💬 Memorable Quotes

Narrator (Tagline): “Nothing ever really dies in the corn.” – A recurring phrase and tagline that emphasizes the enduring evil presence associated with the cornfields.
Eden: “I’m the red queen.” – Eden asserts her authority and position as the leader of the children’s cult.
Adult (implied): “He’s just sorry he didn’t kill all of you.” – Said by an adult, expressing bitter resentment and hostility towards the children after a violent event.

💰Box Office

Budget: $10,000,000
Domestic Gross: $325,583
Worldwide Gross: $575,179

💥 Children of the Corn Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this new Children of the Corn expecting the worst, based on its reputation, and honestly, it wasn’t *that* bad… but it wasn’t good either. I mean, the main kid villain, Eden, played by Kate Moyer, totally stole the show. She was genuinely creepy and had this intense stare that made you believe she could lead a revolt. The plot changes were… bold? I didn’t quite buy the adults being *that* useless, even in a horror movie. And that corn creature reveal? Yikes. It looked like low-budget Evil Groot. Still, as a B-horror fan, I found some moments to laugh at, even if it wasn’t intentional. It’s definitely a watch-it-with-friends-and-mock-it kind of movie, rather than a genuinely scary one.

Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of the Children of the Corn franchise (for completism)”
- “Viewers interested in modern horror takes on classic stories”
- “Those curious about the 2020 version’s unique plot points”
- “Fans of child actor Kate Moyer”
Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence and Gore (depicting massacre of adults)”
- “Disturbing themes (children killing adults, cult-like behavior)”
- “Brief depiction of child abuse (implied)”
- “Depiction of a large, unsettling creature”

Professional Reviews

Horror Hype Weekly: “Another attempt at the King story, this version of Children of the Corn struggles. While Kate Moyer delivers a standout, genuinely unsettling performance as the young cult leader, the rest of the film feels uneven. The plot takes significant liberties, sometimes successfully incorporating ecological themes, but often suffers from questionable pacing and editing. The infamous ‘He Who Walks’ makes an appearance, unfortunately hampered by dated CGI. It’s not the worst of the franchise, but far from essential viewing.
Cinematic Dread: “Frankly abysmal. Children of the Corn (2020) offers wooden acting, baffling plot holes, and visual effects that feel unfinished. Adults inexplicably fail to defend themselves against pint-sized killers, straining credibility past its breaking point. The attempt at modernization feels forced, replacing the original’s eerie religious fanaticism with a less compelling, muddled motive. Save your time and revisit the original or read the short story; this entry adds nothing of value.

Audience Reactions

Kate Moyer’s performance as the villainous Eden was a highlight.: Many found Kate Moyer’s acting impressive for her age.

The special effects, particularly ‘He Who Walks,’ were widely criticized.: The CGI and portrayal of the corn creature were frequently described as bad or laughable.

The plot was confusing and illogical at times.: Viewers questioned the adults’ inability to fight back and the overall logic of the story.

It didn’t feel like a true Children of the Corn movie to many fans.: Fans of the original were often disappointed by the significant departures from the source material and previous films.

Overall Consensus: Largely panned by audiences and critics alike for its weak script, poor effects, and questionable logic, though Kate Moyer’s performance received some positive mentions.

Awards

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🛠️ Behind the Scenes

“The film was notably shot during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns in 2020.”
“Production was able to continue during the lockdowns due to being financed independently.”
“Filming took place in Rylstone, New South Wales, Australia, which doubled for the fictional town of Rylstone, Nebraska.”

🖥️ How to Watch Children of the Corn?

The 2020 film “Children of the Corn” had a staggered release, premiering in the UK in 2020 and receiving a limited US theatrical run in March 2023, followed by a digital and on-demand release. It later became available for streaming on Shudder. The film is also available for purchase or rent on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and other digital retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Children of the Corn, you might like these similar films:

Children of the Corn (1984): The original and most well-known adaptation of Stephen King’s short story, exploring similar themes of children cults and rural horror.
Village of the Damned (1960): Features children who are supernaturally influenced and turn against the adult population of a small town.
Midsommar (2019): A folk horror film dealing with an insular rural community and its disturbing cult practices, similar to the isolation and rituals in the cornfield cult.
Who Can Kill a Child? (1976): A cult classic exploring the horrifying premise of children on an island turning violent against adults, creating a similar sense of terror from unexpected sources.
The Wicker Man (1973): A landmark folk horror film where an outsider encounters a secluded pagan community with unsettling beliefs and practices, echoing the themes of an outsider discovering a hidden cult.

🛒 Children of the Corn Related Products

Stephen King’s Children of the Corn (Original 1984 Film): Experience the classic horror film adaptation that started the franchise, based on Stephen King’s short story.
Stephen King: The Bachman Books (Contains ‘Children of the Corn’): Read the original chilling short story by Stephen King that inspired the film series.
Corn Field Horror Scene Setter: A creepy backdrop or figurine set inspired by the iconic cornfield setting from the movies.
Horror Movie Marathon Blanket: Stay cozy during your horror movie binge-watching sessions, perhaps revisiting other films in the genre.

🎧 Soundtrack

Children of the Corn features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

Is Children of the Corn (2020) a remake or prequel?

The 2020 film functions primarily as a standalone story or a reimagining, though some viewers and the director have described it as a prequel to the events of the original 1984 film, showing how the children’s uprising began.

Is the 2020 Children of the Corn based on Stephen King’s story?

Yes, like many films in the franchise, the 2020 version is loosely based on Stephen King’s 1977 short story “Children of the Corn.” However, it takes significant liberties with the plot, characters, and themes compared to the original story and the 1984 film adaptation.

Who is He Who Walks Behind the Rows in the 2020 movie?

In the 2020 film, He Who Walks Behind the Rows is depicted as a large, physical creature made of corn stalks and vines, an entity residing within the cornfield that the children worship and believe empowers them. This differs significantly from the more unseen, supernatural force in the original story and earlier films.

Is Children of the Corn (2020) scary?

Reviews for the 2020 film are mixed regarding its scare factor. Some viewers found moments creepy, particularly related to the children’s leader, Eden. Others found it less scary than previous iterations, citing poor special effects and a lack of atmosphere compared to the original.

Who plays Eden in Children of the Corn (2020)?

The role of Eden Edwards, the young girl who leads the children’s rebellion, is played by Kate Moyer. Her performance was frequently highlighted by critics and viewers, often cited as one of the film’s stronger elements.

🔥 Bonus Content

Children of the Corn (2020) – Movie Review

Ever wonder if the latest Children of the Corn movie is worth watching? This review gets straight to the point and tells you exactly what they thought, especially about it being the *eleventh* film!

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