Children of the Corn (1984)

Movies

Children of the Corn (1984) – “Children of the Corn” is a horror film released in 1984, based on a short story by Stephen King. The story is set in the small rural town of Gatlin, Nebraska, where an eerie religious cult of children led by a boy preacher named Isaac believes in sacrificing adults to their deity, a demonic entity referred to as “He Who Walks Behind the Rows.” When a couple, Burt and Vicky, accidentally stumble upon Gatlin while driving through the area, they become trapped in the sinister and deadly web woven by the children. As they uncover the horrifying truth about the cult, they must fight for their lives against the vengeful children.

Children of the Corn (1984)

Director: Fritz Kiersch Other films he is known for: “Tuff Turf” (1985), “Gor” (1987)

Writer: George Goldsmith Other films he is known for: “Blue Monkey” (1987), “Shadowzone” (1990)

Release Date: March 9, 1984

Domestic Box Office: Approximately $14.6 million

The Good:

  • Atmospheric and eerie setting.
  • Effective use of tension and suspense.
  • Unique concept of children as antagonists.

The Bad:

  • Pacing issues in some parts.
  • Dialogue can be uneven and sometimes melodramatic.

Cast:

  • Peter Horton as Burt Stanton Other films he is known for: “Amazon Women on the Moon” (1987), “Side Out” (1990)
  • Linda Hamilton as Vicky Baxter Other films she is known for: “The Terminator” (1984), “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (1991)
  • R.G. Armstrong as Diehl Other films he is known for: “Predator” (1987), “Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice” (1992)
  • John Franklin as Isaac He reprised his role in “Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice” (1992)
  • Courtney Gains as Malachai Other films he is known for: “Back to the Future” (1985), “Can’t Buy Me Love” (1987)

“Outlander! We have your woman!” – Isaac

Reviews:

  • Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times: “A modestly involving but not very scary horror film.”
  • Variety: “A fairly absorbing and occasionally shivery chiller.”
  • Janet Maslin of The New York Times: “The film is grimmer than it is scary, and its mythology is certainly murky.”
  • TV Guide: “Its slow pacing and sometimes ambiguous story line will likely bore all but the most devoted horror fans.”
  • AllMovie: “A cult classic of ’80s horror, Children of the Corn remains an effectively creepy and atmospheric tale that’s well worth revisiting.”

Cinematic Importance: Children of the Corn (1984) holds a place in horror cinema as a cult classic based on a story by Stephen King. While it didn’t receive overwhelmingly positive critical reviews, its eerie atmosphere, unique concept, and the portrayal of children as malevolent figures set it apart. The film’s success led to several sequels and adaptations, contributing to the larger legacy of Stephen King’s works in popular culture. It’s also notable for Linda Hamilton’s involvement shortly after her breakout role in “The Terminator.”