Frendo the Clown: The New Slasher Icon You Can’t Ignore

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The chilling horror movie titled “Clown In a Cornfield” is nearly here, ready to present a potential new horror legend to viewers: Frendo, the menacing circus clown.

In the story titled “Clown In a Cornfield“, the main character, Quinn Maybrook (Katie Douglas), finds herself settling in the quaint rural town of Kettle Springs. However, she soon discovers that this seemingly peaceful place is grappling with significant turmoil, which escalates when a deranged killer clown begins targeting students from their local high school.

In a recent conversation, Russ Milheim from TopMob had an engaging chat with director Eli Craig and actor Kevin Durand (portraying Arthur Hill) about their movie “Clown In the Cornfield”. They shared exciting insights on the film, as well as the impressive character Frendo that viewers are eagerly anticipating.

Creating a Modern Day Slasher Icon With Frendo the Clown

“We Don’t Really Have Slasher Icons That Aren’t Remakes Right Now…”

  • TopMob: “Eli, can you talk a little bit about just  adapting the book to the screen and what elements did you feel needed be changed or adjusted to fit this new medium?”

Eli Craig: You know, certain parts could be considered spoilers. What initially drew me to the book was its significant changes or transformations that essentially restart the narrative. I won’t delve too deeply into those details, but let me mention that I aimed to stay faithful to the story’s underlying theme.

I found Adam’s creation of the extraordinary villain Frendo to be so impressive that it sparked an idea in me: If given the chance, I could design this character’s mask and help shape Frendo into the iconic figure I admired as a child. It seems we are currently lacking original slasher icons, aside from remakes. For instance, ‘Scream 7?’ I’m not sure, but it feels like everything is being rehashed these days.

Instead, let me share my thoughts on those classic, chilling slasher and horror films from yesteryears, such as the ones featuring Jason. His mask, in its uncomplicated design, truly stands out to me as perhaps the most effective mask ever created.

As a cinephile stepping into the future, I’m eager to blend the nostalgic thrill of a classic slasher with the vibrant energy of 2025’s Gen Z generation. This won’t be a sequel, but rather a fresh take that pays homage to the original spirit of the book, “Rip-Roaring Fun” by Adam Caesar. The characters in this novel are not just caricatures; they feel real, relatable, and authentically modern, making them perfect for our contemporary world.

  • TopMob: “There’s more than meets the eye, obviously, to the threat of Frendo. But can you guys just briefly talk about, how Frendo holds a unique place amongst the pantheon of other horror clowns? Because people are always quick to be like, oh, there’s Art. You know, there’s Pennywise. Now we have Frendo. So how does he compare to those?”

Kevin Durand: Indeed, he carries out a distinct objective, right? And much like compelling antagonists in tales from around the globe, he is utterly convinced by every action he takes.

Although he may appear as an intimidating figure, often evoking thoughts like “Oh my God, he’s the big scary guy,” it’s essential to remember that he likely believes deeply in the righteousness of his actions. He’s striving to improve the world according to his own unique perspective, which can make him seem even more formidable.

Eli Craig describes Frendo as a relatable, everyday kind of slasher murderer. There’s a touchable, vulnerable aspect to him, which makes him both terrifying in a human way and deeply imperfect at the same time.

There’s an intriguing aspect to him; he’s certainly a terrifying murderer, yet at the same time, he has an element of entertainment.

Or simply:

He’s both menacing and entertaining, a strange combination for a killer.

Clown in a Cornfield’s Focus on the Generational Divide in Society

“There Is Such a Divide Within Our Culture Between the Generations…”

  • TopMob: “It’s easy to see why a problematic clown is still relevant in today’s society, but I want to talk about the deeper themes in play, mostly regarding the generational divide that tends to always exist between generations. So, for you both, how would you say that this movie utilizes the horror genre to tell a fun, satisfying, yet still meaningful story that addresses those very topics?”

Eli Craig: There’s quite a gap in our society’s culture between age groups, particularly Generation Z. As for me, I belong to Generation X.

In this movie, the older characters could be considered Generation X, but their sentiments seem to extend to anyone from Gen X and beyond, even Baby Boomers. There’s a sense of bewilderment towards Generation Z, as if they often appear disengaged or preoccupied with their phones, leading to criticisms about how this generation will manage in the real world.

They have an effortless approach to almost everything; if they need an answer to a question, they simply look it up online. There seems to be a certain disrespect shown towards them, but in return, they often show a lack of regard for the older generation and their opinions, as if they’re not taking what they say seriously.

It might surprise you how astute we are. We keep up with global events, and our depth of understanding often goes beyond what people assume.

In essence, these films explore the consequences when adults and children fail to communicate effectively, leading to a chaotic clash of perspectives that often escalates into violence. There’s plenty of material for social commentary here.

  • TopMob: “[Kevin], you play the mayor who has plenty of issues with the younger generation, including his own son. Can you help paint a picture about how he personally feels about, you know, those members of society, and how he feels they are, in a sense, a downgrade to his own?”

As a film enthusiast, I often find myself at odds with my wife due to our generational gap. She’s a decade younger than me, which means there are numerous movies, music artists, and cultural references that we just don’t share. Take Eric B. & Rakim for instance; when I mention them, she’s usually clueless, leaving us in a bit of a disconnect.

Whenever Eric B. & Rakim’s music started playing at the movie’s onset, when Aaron was spitting rhymes to it, and Quinn Maybrook, Katie Douglas’ character, nodded in agreement, saying that the 80s felt like the 40s to her, I found that remark incredibly insightful.

Essentially, he wore the stylish velour suit, embodying the voice of an older generation. In contrast, as an actor who’s always playing roles, I don’t experience those extreme disconnections. It was enjoyable to join in and be a part of that aspect of the discussion.

The full video interview can be seen here:

On May 9, 2025, “Clown In a Cornfield” officially hits movie theaters nationwide, however, it can be watched early at selected drive-in theaters across the country on May 2nd and 3rd.

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2025-04-30 00:35