Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering

The events unfold in a contemporary, late-20th-century Midwestern town. The narrative follows Grace and her family over a tight, days-long period as unexplained fevers, murders, and a long-buried history disrupt daily life.

Grand Island, Nebraska functions as a typical Midwestern town with a close-knit community, a local clinic, and a central residential area. The story centers on Grace’s return to care for her mother, with a barn and neighborhood houses forming the backdrop for the town’s growing dread. The setting blends familiar small-town life with an unsettling, otherworldly menace that surfaces through feverish illnesses and dark legends.

🕯️ Faith

Religious fervor and superstition sit at the heart of the town's terror. The child preacher Josiah embodies a corrupted faith that commands obedience and violence, while traveling preachers manipulate vulnerability for dark ends. The story probes how belief can protect as well as harm a community under threat.

👪 Family

Family ties drive many choices: Grace's caretaking of her mother and siblings, June's protective stubbornness, and the revelation that Margaret is Grace's daughter adds emotional stakes. The central conflict pits familial duty against dangerous secrets and the need to protect loved ones at any cost. The film uses these ties to complicate decisions and escalate the stakes.

🩸 Blood

Blood becomes a currency of life and sacrifice as Marcus offers his blood to Josiah and Margaret offers her soul. Mercury is used as a weapon to purify the town and destroy Josiah, turning life force into a tool against evil. The theme highlights the cost of resistance and the ties that bind people to a malevolent power.

🌩️ Darkness

A lurking darkness unites the town’s past with its present, from the burning of Josiah to the sinister influence of the traveling preachers. The barn and sprinkler system become the battleground where science and superstition collide. The community must confront secrets long buried to restore order.