Year: 1984
Runtime: 92 min
Language: English
Director: Fritz Kiersch
In a remote rural area, a disturbing phenomenon grips a small town where children have turned against their parents. Led by the influential 12-year-old Eden, the young residents believe they are fulfilling a divine purpose by eliminating the adults. As the adult population dwindles, a resourceful high school student finds themselves as the last hope for the community, facing a terrifying and violent rebellion led by Eden and the town’s children.
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In the eerie, fictional town of Gatlin, Nebraska, the tale unfolds, narrated by Job, who reveals the dark history of how this seemingly peaceful place became a refuge for a group of young cultists. The town’s economic lifeblood revolves around agriculture, with vast cornfields surrounding it. One fateful year, the corn crop fails, prompting the inhabitants of Gatlin to turn to fervent prayer, hoping to ensure a bountiful harvest. It is during this desperate time that a mysterious boy preacher, Isaac Chroner, emerges. He leads the town’s children into a cornfield, sharing ominous prophecies of a malevolent deity known as “He Who Walks Behind The Rows.”
With the aid of his lieutenant, Malachai (Courtney Gains), Isaac incites a violent uprising, resulting in the brutal slaying of all the adults in the community. Over the years that follow, the remaining children capture any adults who venture into their territory, offering them as sacrifices to their dark god.
Fast forward three years, and we meet Burt (Peter Horton) and his girlfriend Vicky (Linda Hamilton), who are traveling through Nebraska on their way to Burt’s new job as a physician in Seattle. As they navigate the highways, their lives take a grim turn when they accidentally hit one of the Gatlin children while driving. In a panic, they conceal the boy’s body in their trunk, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead.
Their journey takes them to an old mechanic, who offers little help as he is under duress from the cult, ultimately leading to his demise. After hours of searching for a phone, Burt and Vicky find themselves trapped in Gatlin, where an alarming struggle ensues against He Who Walks Behind The Rows and the relentless children of the town. They manage to rescue Job and his sister Sarah, both of whom seek to escape the cult’s grasp.
However, things take a dire turn as Vicky is captured by Malachai, who intends to use her as a sacrificial offering. Tensions rise as Malachai grows weary of Isaac’s leadership and commands his sacrifice instead. As night descends upon the haunted cornfields, Burt bravely ventures into the darkness to rescue Vicky, just as a gruesome ritual begins. In a climactic battle, Burt confronts Malachai, stirring the children to reconsider their blind devotion to the false god that has ensnared their minds and souls.
In a shocking twist, Isaac’s reanimated corpse, now under the influence of He Who Walks Behind The Rows, exacts revenge on Malachai, further entangling the cult’s fate. As ominous storms gather above, Burt and Vicky lead the frightened children to safety within a barn, hoping to protect them from the wrath of their tyrannical deity. With chaos raging around them, Job reveals a crucial Bible verse, urging Burt and Vicky to destroy the cornfield to quell the chaos.
In a desperate act, Burt ignites the cornfield using a Molotov cocktail, seemingly vanquishing the sinister demon. As the flames consume the cursed crops, Burt, Vicky, Job, and Sarah manage to escape Gatlin, leaving the tormented town behind. However, as they prepare to leave, a member of the cult ambushes Burt from the back seat. Vicky swiftly intervenes, allowing the four to forge ahead into an uncertain future, where dangers may still lie in wait.
Last Updated: November 03, 2024 at 21:30
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Communities isolated in remote settings succumb to a hidden, evil force.If you liked the oppressive dread of Children of the Corn, explore more movies where isolated towns hide a dark secret. These films feature remote settings, fanatical communities, and protagonists discovering a malevolent force that has twisted the locals against them.
The narrative follows outsiders or last sane individuals discovering that an isolated community is under the control of a sinister force. The story involves uncovering the source of the corruption, navigating the threat posed by the brainwashed locals, and a desperate struggle to escape the enclave of evil.
Movies are grouped here for their shared atmosphere of rural dread, the theme of a community collectively possessed by a dark ideology or entity, and the central conflict of survival against an overwhelming, localized threat.
Stories where unwavering devotion to a creed justifies horrific violence.Fans of Children of the Corn's theme of religious fanaticism will find more chilling tales here. Discover movies about isolated cults, charismatic leaders, and the horror of true belief that justifies murder and sacrifice, creating a tense fight for survival.
The plot typically involves protagonists confronting a closed community governed by a dangerous belief system. The conflict escalates as the cult's rituals and goals are revealed, often involving sacrifice or purging non-believers, leading to a violent confrontation between fanaticism and reason.
These films are united by their focus on the dynamics of cults: the charismatic leadership, the indoctrination of followers, the justification of violence through dogma, and the chilling portrayal of groupthink leading to horror.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Children of the Corn in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Children of the Corn is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Children of the Corn with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Children of the Corn. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Children of the Corn that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Children of the Corn: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
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