 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Children of the Corn
- Review Date: September 24, 2006
- R
- Genre: Horror
- 1984
Common Sense Media says
Classic Stephen King horror, hardly popping.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this film is filled with bloody violence, including a wholesale massacre of adults by their own children. The portrayal of a community run by kids who have killed all the parents isn't remotely pleasant or idealized, but it's still disturbing.
What's the story?
A shocking tone is set from the start of CHILDREN OF THE CORN, as kids in the incredibly insular and religious farming town of Gatlin, Nebraska, methodically poison, bludgeon, slash, and kill their parents and take over. Three years later, a young doctor (Peter Horton) and his wife (Linda Hamilton) stumble across Gatlin's secret in the worst way, running over a mortally wounded boy trying to escape. Bloody religious icons on the victim lead the couple to investigate the desolate town. Eventually, they learn that all of the kids belong to a strict cult founded by Isaac (John Franklin), an influential boy preacher who forbids music and games and leads Christian-like worship of "He Who Walks Behind the Rows," a demonic entity that demands human sacrifice of anyone over 18.
Is it any good?
With a chanting soundtrack and an effectively creepy sunlit vibe, this film does raise some shudders -- then wrecks the momentum with cheap gore and a feeble finale. Depending on what the low-budget special effects allow, He Who Walks Behind the Rows sometimes looks like a burrowing underground shape, a weird cloud, or a glowing cartoon. Far scarier are the juvenile actors, who really do a good job making the "children of the corn" a threatening tribe of youthful fanatics with farm-implement weapons.
Besides killer kids, the film manipulates anxieties and stereotypes about the American heartland. Instead of Satanists, with their goat horns and red capes, this group is a caricature of ultra-conservative and Evangelical churches, resembling the Amish or Mennonites -- that is, before they transform into a child cult that crucifies victims on corn stalks.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the film's ultimate message, that fire-and-brimstone fundamentalist Christianity (at least Hollywood's stereotype of it) has let the barn door open for a demonic force to enter and take over rural Gatlin, Nebraska. Those in religious households can check out the Bible passages that this movie uses to support its dire warning about false prophets. On the whole, is this movie favorable to faith or against it?
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AGE
VERY SEXUAL CONTENT
This site review says no sexual content but beware there is VERY ADULT content. When the boy preacher calls for the young ppl to fertilize, two teens remove their clothing right on screen and begin to have sex in front of all the little kids. I would say that is some very strong adult content.
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YAYAYA
I looooove this movie so awesome! its not scary though but its just like whooo best movie ever!!!
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scared the **** outta me
this movie is scary and it isn't any good
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Children of the Korn
A really cool film of the classic Stephen King book.
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Not scary at all, lmao the whole time.
This movie is not scary at all. Isaac has such a funny voice! I watched it with two of my best friends and then we went for a walk at night and it was so not scary. Not for little, little kids because there is some blood. Now I always tease one of my guy friends cuz he looks kinda like Malakai! lol :D
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Children of the Corn
The original from the 80's is the best, although it's got some violence, but my daughter and I can sit through it laughing. Burt and Vikky are good role models, trying to help. There's a little bit of language, too. But, I would not recommend the 2009 remake that has much more language and violence. Also, Burt and Lisa yell at each other and the ending doesn't explain anything, leaving you at a cliffhanger.
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AGE
Good for 10+ If its not right i saw it when i was 8
Its not scary! I love the movie..its not that gory....the end is kinda scary though..i hate that part.Likes there a monster and they put the "migit" on the cross and the monster attacks him....and he turns into the monster and goes on, And tries to kill everybody.
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Good
I loved the short story(it is in night shift btw). It is great scary and very psycological
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| Studio: | New World |
| Director: | Fritz Kiersch |
| Cast: | John Franklin, Linda Hamilton, Peter Horton |
| Genre: | Horror |
| Run time: | 92 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | March 9, 1984 |
| DVD release date: | September 28, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | graphic violence. |
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