Children of the Corn 2023
Directed by
Kurt Wimmer
Made by
RLJE Films
Plot Summary
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.
Timeline
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Characters
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Setting
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.
Themes
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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.
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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.
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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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