Movie Details
- Year: 1984
- Producer: Donald P. Borchers
- Director: Fritz Kiersch
- Genre: Horror, Cult Thriller
Summary
A young couple (Linda Hamilton and Peter Horton) stumble upon a deserted Nebraska town, only to discover it’s been overtaken by a murderous cult of children. Led by the eerie preacher Isaac and his enforcer Malachai, the kids worship a sinister entity called “He Who Walks Behind the Rows.” As the cornfields close in, survival means confronting both the zealotry of the children and the supernatural evil that controls them.
Reception
Upon release, critics were mixed—many felt the movie couldn’t live up to Stephen King’s short story, calling it uneven and campy. Fans, however, embraced the creepy atmosphere and iconic villainy of Isaac and Malachai. Over time, it’s become a VHS-era cult classic, spawning nine sequels, a remake, and a strange reputation as both cheesy and genuinely unsettling.
Fun Facts & Watching Notes
- The film was shot in Iowa, not Nebraska, with real cornfields providing the eerie backdrop.
- Isaac’s actor, John Franklin, was 24 years old when filming, despite playing a child cult leader.
- The original short story by Stephen King is much bleaker—ending without the hopeful notes tacked on in the movie.
- Best enjoyed late at night, preferably with the sound of wind rattling outside—corn optional.
I’m 40 minutes in on the office VCR. Here is what’s going on so far.
ReplyDeleteOpening massacre: The film kicks off with the kids slaughtering the adults in Gatlin during a Sunday diner service — led by Isaac, with Malachai doing the dirty work.
ReplyDelete• Introducing Burt & Vicky: We meet Burt (Peter Horton) and Vicky (Linda Hamilton), a couple driving through Nebraska on their way to Burt’s new medical job.
• The boy in the road: They accidentally hit a young boy who stumbles out of the cornfield. But Burt realizes the boy was already fatally wounded before the impact.
• Strange vibes: They find the boy had his throat slit as part of a ritual sacrifice, and Burt notices odd religious drawings and corn symbolism.
• Gas station warning: They try to find help at a rural gas station, but the old attendant warns them away, hinting at “He Who Walks Behind the Rows.” (He won’t live long after this.)
• Heading into Gatlin: Against their better judgment, they drive into the deserted town of Gatlin, where they start noticing children lurking among the cornfields.
I’m just st the final scene as our protagonist is about to battle the corn field.
ReplyDeleteNot start to be a good series of movies. I understand there are a ton of children of the corn movies. This one is a solid starts, not bad, not great.
ReplyDelete⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️