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Children of the Corn

Children of the Corn 2023

Runtime

92 min

Language

English

English

Directed by

Kurt Wimmer

Kurt Wimmer

Made by

RLJE Films

RLJE Films

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Children of the Corn Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Children of the Corn (2023). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.


As the intense sun beats down on the vast highways of Nebraska, a couple, Burt and Vicky, find themselves navigating a desolate landscape, their marriage teetering on the edge of collapse. What was intended as a romantic getaway quickly devolves into an atmosphere of bickering and mounting tension, leading Burt to question whether their vacation is worth pursuing. Just as they contemplate ending their trip and consulting a divorce attorney, fate delivers a harrowing blow: they inadvertently run over a young boy, whose throat has been horrifically slit and left for dead in the middle of the road. As they are struck with shock, Burt finds the boy’s suitcase and uneasily discovers a disturbing corn husk crucifix, hinting at the grim events that are about to unfold.

Despite their initial dread, Burt and Vicky decide to report the tragic incident to the authorities. With the boy’s lifeless body hidden in their trunk, they make their way to the nearest town—Gatlin—an eerie community shrouded in an unsettling atmosphere. Initially appearing deserted, they soon learn that Gatlin is home to a cult of murderous children who worship a dark entity known as “He Who Walks Behind The Rows.” This malevolent force is said to dwell within the very cornfields surrounding the town.

As Vicky becomes ensnared by the cult’s leader, Isaac, Burt faces a brutal attack and is left for dead among the corn stalks. Yet, with sheer determination, he manages to escape into the twisted maze of crops, leading him to the horrifying sight of his wife and others—crucified in a nightmarish tribute to the sinister powers that command this forsaken place.

As Burt’s fate inches towards darkness, he encounters the terrible force he sought to evade. His own life slowly slipping away, he becomes yet another victim of He Who Walks Behind The Rows, sealing a fate that intertwines him with the cult forever. Even in death, Burt’s influence lingers, haunting the reverent members of the cult, who soon gather to honor him in their twisted manner.

In an unsettling conclusion, Isaac decrees a significant change to the cult’s sacrificial guidelines—lowering the age limit from 19 to 18—instilling fear among the gathering. That night, under the haunting glow of the moonlight, Malachi, the boy whose life Burt and Vicky unwittingly took, leads a procession of fellow young victims toward certain doom, their destinies forever linked to the demon they revere.

Meanwhile, Ruth, Malachi’s pregnant girlfriend, stands helplessly at the edges of this horrifying ritual, her voice raised in desperate protest as she realizes the grotesque events unfolding around her. Overcome with powerlessness, she can only bear witness as the unspeakable atrocities of this night consume them all, deepening the horrors that plague their fates.

Children of the Corn Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Children of the Corn (2023) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.


Couple's Romantic Getaway

Burt and Vicky set out on what they hope will be a romantic vacation to rekindle their marriage. However, as the intense sun beats down on Nebraska's vast highways, bickering and tension between them start to escalate, making them question the value of their trip.

Nebraska

Tragic Incident

Their vacation takes a horrifying turn when they accidentally run over a young boy on the road. Shocked and horrified, they discover the boy's throat has been slit and his lifeless body now rests in their trunk.

Nebraska

Discovery of the Suitcase

In a disturbed state, Burt finds a suitcase belonging to the boy, which reveals a chilling corn husk crucifix inside. This unsettling discovery foreshadows the dark events that are about to unfold in their lives.

Heading to Gatlin

Despite their dread, Burt and Vicky decide to report the tragic incident to the authorities. They drive to the nearby town of Gatlin, which is enveloped in an eerie atmosphere that further heightens their sense of foreboding.

Gatlin

Encounter with the Cult

Upon arriving in Gatlin, they discover a terrifying secret: the town is home to a cult of murderous children who worship a dark entity known as 'He Who Walks Behind The Rows.' This sinister force seems to reside within the very cornfields surrounding them.

Gatlin

Vicky's Captivity

Vicky becomes ensnared by the cult's leader, Isaac, as the cult's intentions unfurl. Simultaneously, Burt realizes the true danger they are in, while he fights to find a way to rescue his wife from the impending doom.

Gatlin

Burt's Brutal Attack

As Burt desperately attempts to save Vicky, he faces a brutal attack from the cult members. Left for dead among the haunting corn stalks, he fights against the odds with sheer determination to escape.

Cornfields

Horrific Sight

In a nightmarish twist of fate, Burt manages to escape into the twisted maze of crops, only to witness his wife and others crucified in a grotesque tribute to the malevolent forces controlling the cult. The horror of the situation unfolds before his eyes.

Cornfields

Burt's Demise

Burt confronts the terrible force he tried to evade—'He Who Walks Behind The Rows.' His life slowly slips away as he becomes yet another victim of the cult's dark practices, sealing his fate with them forever.

Cornfields

Cult's Sacrificial Changes

In the aftermath of Burt's tragic fate, Isaac announces a chilling decree, lowering the cult's sacrificial age limit from 19 to 18. This news instills fear among the cult members, marking a significant escalation in their horrifying rituals.

Gatlin

Malachi's Leadership

Malachi, the young boy whose life Burt and Vicky accidentally took, rises to lead a procession of young victims toward their grim destiny. The ceremony further intertwines their fates with the dark entity they revere.

Gatlin

Ruth's Desperate Protest

Ruth, Malachi's pregnant girlfriend, stands helpless as the horrific rituals unfold before her. In desperate protest, she realizes the futility of her cries against the unspeakable atrocities occurring around her.

Gatlin

Unraveling of Innocence

As the dark events consume the night, Ruth is left to bear witness to the unspeakable acts committed by the cult. The realization of the loss of innocence serves to deepen the horrors that now plague the lives of all involved.

Gatlin

Children of the Corn Characters

Explore all characters from Children of the Corn (2023). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.


Burt (Mike Duncan)

Burt is a troubled husband whose attempt at a romantic getaway spirals into chaos and terror. As tensions rise in his marriage, he is thrust into a nightmarish situation following a tragic accident. His courage is tested as he confronts the horrific elements of Gatlin, ultimately leading him to a tragic fate.

👨‍❤️‍👨 Marriage ☠️ Tragedy

Vicky (Elena Kampouris)

Vicky is Burt's wife, whose character embodies vulnerability amid emerging darkness. Her initial tensions with Burt are exacerbated as she becomes ensnared by the cult's leader, reveling in the duality of fear and intrigue. Her fate intertwines with the horrific rituals, showcasing her tragic descent.

👩‍❤️‍👨 Conflict 😢 Vulnerability

Isaac (Sebastian Alanis Alvarez)

Isaac serves as the chilling leader of the cult, manipulating others to adhere to the dark practices of their sinister faith. His character represents the allure and danger of charismatic authority, drawing in vulnerable individuals like Vicky and instilling fear among the townsfolk.

👶 Youth 🪄 Manipulation

Malachi (unknown)

Malachi, a young cult member, carries out the terrifying actions dictated by Isaac. His character embodies the indoctrination of youth into a cycle of violence, showcasing the devastating impacts of a corrupted ideology. The horror culminates in his involvement with the rituals.

🧒 Innocence ⚔️ Sacrifice

Ruth (Miranda Cash)

Ruth, Malachi's pregnant girlfriend, is a figure of despair, witnessing the unfolding atrocities without power to intervene. Her character highlights the emotional weight and helplessness experienced by those caught in tragic circumstances, deepening the atmosphere of horror.

👩‍🍼 Pregnancy 😨 Helplessness

Children of the Corn Settings

Learn where and when Children of the Corn (2023) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.


Time period

The story unfolds in a contemporary setting but alludes to darker, timeless themes of fear and the influence of cultish beliefs. The events reflect a tense moment in history where isolation and desperation can lead communities to embrace sinister ideologies.

Location

Nebraska, Gatlin

The vast highways of Nebraska create a desolate backdrop for the couple's troubled journey. Gatlin, once a vibrant community, has turned into a nightmarish setting dominated by a cult of children who worship a dark entity, known as 'He Who Walks Behind The Rows,' with horrifying rituals set within the eerie cornfields.

🌾 Cornfields 🏙️ Town

Children of the Corn Themes

Discover the main themes in Children of the Corn (2023). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.


🔪

Violence

Children of the Corn explores the theme of violence through a chilling lens. The film highlights how innocence can be corrupted, transforming children into agents of horror under the influence of a malevolent force. The cycle of violence perpetuates as Burt and Vicky encounter the brutal realities of a community gripped by fear.

🌽

Cultism

At its core, the movie delves into the theme of cultism, showcasing how a group can be led astray by dark beliefs. The cult of Gatlin reveres a sinister entity and imposes terrifying sacrifices on its members. This theme raises questions about blind faith and the consequences of turning to darkness in desperate times.

😭

Despair

The film encapsulates a profound sense of despair felt by characters facing insurmountable odds. Burt's inability to protect his wife and himself from the cult's machinations represents a deeper tragedy. Ruth's desperate protests mirror the helplessness that grips those caught in an inescapable web of horror.

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Children of the Corn Ending Explained

Unravel the ending of Children of the Corn (2023) with our detailed explanation. Understand the final scenes, character fates, and unresolved questions.


In the climax of the movie, the children, led by Eden, have murdered all the adults except for a few, including Boleyn, who escapes a fiery attempt on her life. Eden and the other kids believe that the monster living in the cornfield is fed by the blood of the adults and that killing them will free the town from its horror. However, it turns out that the creature is very real—a grotesque maize-based monster that has grown from the toxic chemicals corrupting the soil and the land. As Boleyn tries to escape, Eden captures her and attempts to sacrifice her to the monster, which has become a terrifying, vine-like creature that devours the dead and possibly the living, fueled by the hatred and desperation of the children.

Using a daring move, Boleyn manages to ignite a trail of fuel from the field, setting the entire crop ablaze. The flames engulf the monster and the remaining corrupt soil, seemingly lifting the curse. As the fires burn, Eden appears to be consumed by the monster, and her body is torn apart in a gruesome, flaming climax. In the aftermath, Boleyn finds Eden’s skin peeled off, suggesting she is now possessed or transformed by the creature’s spirit. The destruction of the crops and the monster’s demise might be viewed as a symbolic act of destroying the toxic land and breaking the cycle of pollution and exploitation.

Interestingly, the film leaves open the possibility that the creature’s power extends beyond Rylstone, hinting that Eden—now possibly possessed—has the potential to spread her influence and the monster’s wrath far and wide. While the movie’s ending is dark and intense, it also carries a message about the consequences of environmental harm and the importance of respecting nature. The fiery conclusion can be seen as a final act of destruction that aims to reset the land—though it also leaves the door open for future chaos, should such a creature or spirit be reborn again. This ending emphasizes both the horror of ecological devastation and the hope that, through destruction, a new beginning can be achieved—if only at a terrible price.

Children of the Corn Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of Children of the Corn (2023). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.


In the windswept plains of Nebraska, a lone town clings to the endless rows of corn that surround it, each stalk whispering of secrets long buried beneath the earth. The landscape is both beautiful and oppressive, a golden sea that masks an undercurrent of unease. Light flickers through the stalks at dusk, turning ordinary fields into a labyrinth of shadow, while an ancient, unnamed presence seems to linger just beyond the edge of perception, its influence felt more than seen.

When a couple drives through this desolate stretch, the heat of the sun mirrors the tension in their relationship. Burt and Vicky are on a trip meant to rekindle what has frayed over the years, yet their conversations are marked by biting sarcasm and reluctant silence. The road ahead feels endless, and the isolation of the countryside forces them to confront the quiet that has settled between them, each mile bringing both a physical and emotional crossroads.

Beyond the highway lies Gatlin, a community where the children appear to hold a strange reverence for the fields, guided by a belief in a mysterious entity that dwells within the corn. The town’s atmosphere is thick with ritualistic whispers, and the line between faith and fanaticism blurs as the youngsters move with purpose through the stalks. The ancient force, known only in hushed tones, promises a bountiful harvest in exchange for a chilling devotion, casting a pall over every interaction and hinting at a darkness that could consume all who venture too far.

As the couple steps into this unsettling world, they must decide whether to remain detached observers or become entangled in a web of fear and tradition. Their strained bond, the eerie rural setting, and the unsettling cult of children create a tension that crackles like static in the summer air, inviting the audience to wonder what will happen when ordinary lives intersect with an ancient, relentless hunger.

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