If you’re a horror fan eager to uncover the eerie settings behind the 2025 slasher film Clown in a Cornfield, you’re in the right place. At NetFilming, we dive into the Clown in a Cornfield filming locations to reveal where this chilling movie came to life. Directed by Eli Craig, this adaptation of Adam Cesare’s 2020 novel brings terror to a small town surrounded by haunting cornfields. Starring Katie Douglas, Aaron Abrams, and Kevin Durand, the film premiered at South by Southwest on March 10, 2025, and hit U.S. theaters on May 9, 2025. Let’s explore the key locations that shaped this gripping horror experience.
About Clown in a Cornfield (2025)
Clown in a Cornfield is an American slasher film directed by Eli Craig, known for his work on Tucker & Dale vs. Evil. The film is an adaptation of Adam Cesare’s 2020 Bram Stoker Award-winning young adult horror novel of the same name. It follows Quinn Maybrook (played by Katie Douglas) and her father, Dr. Glenn Maybrook (Aaron Abrams), who move to the declining Midwestern town of Kettle Springs, Missouri, for a fresh start.
The town, reeling from the closure and burning of the Baypen Corn Syrup Factory, is divided between conservative adults and rebellious teens. Frendo the Clown, the factory’s former mascot, emerges as a terrifying figure, targeting teens in a series of brutal killings. The film blends horror, dark humor, and social commentary on generational divides and small-town struggles.
The cast also includes Carson MacCormac, Kevin Durand, and Will Sasso. It premiered at South by Southwest (SXSW) on March 10, 2025, and was released theatrically in the U.S. on May 9, 2025, by RLJE Films and Shudder. The film runs for 96 minutes and is rated R for its gory violence. Critics have praised its clever twists, satisfying kills, and balance of horror and humor, with a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 28 reviews.
Clown in a Cornfield Filming Locations
The film was primarily shot in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, with additional scenes filmed in nearby rural areas to capture the eerie, cornfield-laden atmosphere of the novel’s setting.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
The primary filming location for Clown in a Cornfield was Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. This vibrant city served as the production hub, offering a mix of urban and rural settings perfect for recreating the fictional Kettle Springs, Missouri. Winnipeg’s experienced film crews and versatile locations made it an ideal choice for capturing the movie’s unsettling atmosphere. Many horror films have tapped into Winnipeg’s unique ability to blend small-town charm with eerie isolation, and this film is no exception. From quiet streets to shadowy interiors, the city provided a believable backdrop for the story’s escalating terror.
Filming in Winnipeg took place between September 18 and October 23, 2023. The tight five-week schedule allowed the crew to efficiently use the city’s infrastructure while maintaining the film’s high-energy pace. Winnipeg’s film-friendly environment and cost-effective production options have made it a go-to spot for horror projects, ensuring Clown in a Cornfield delivered its creepy aesthetic on time and within budget.
Rural Manitoba
To bring the novel’s iconic cornfield scenes to life, the production team ventured into rural areas near Winnipeg, including Stonewall, Manitoba. These locations were essential for capturing the film’s most intense moments, where Frendo the Clown stalks his victims through towering cornstalks. Stonewall’s open fields, isolated farms, and expansive rural landscapes provided the perfect setting for the movie’s chilling horror sequences. The area’s natural isolation amplified the sense of dread, making every rustle in the corn feel like a threat.
The rural Manitoba settings weren’t just visually striking—they were practical. The region’s vast agricultural areas allowed the crew to film large-scale scenes without disruptions, ensuring the cornfields felt like a character in their own right. By combining practical locations with subtle visual effects, the filmmakers created a haunting environment that stays true to the novel’s terrifying vision.
“Clown in a Cornfield” Behind the Scenes
Delving into the behind-the-scenes process of Clown in a Cornfield reveals the creativity and dedication that shaped this 2025 horror hit. Filmed in Winnipeg and rural Manitoba from September 18 to October 23, 2023, the production transformed Canadian landscapes into the eerie Kettle Springs, Missouri. Director Eli Craig, known for Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, aimed to balance slasher gore with dark humor. In an interview with Variety, Craig shared, “We wanted the cornfields to feel alive, almost like a trap closing in on the characters.” The crew used practical effects for Frendo the Clown’s kills, enhancing the film’s visceral impact.
Actor Katie Douglas, who plays Quinn Maybrook, told Screen Daily, “Filming in Manitoba’s cornfields at night was genuinely creepy—it set the perfect tone.” Producer Daniel Iron praised Winnipeg’s film infrastructure, noting its role in keeping the tight five-week shoot on track. Manitoba’s tax incentives and skilled crews made the production seamless, ensuring the film’s chilling vision came to life.
Clown in a Cornfield Official Trailer
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