Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Horror film

Children of the Corn (2023): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Children of the Corn (2023) movie poster

Children of the Corn is a 2023 horror film directed by Kurt Wimmer, starring Alyla Browne as Angie, Elena Kampouris and Mike Duncan. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes. Critics gave it 11% on Rotten Tomatoes and 22 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
11%
Echo Score
5
Metascore
22
Loading streaming availability…
Children of the Corn (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 32m (92 min)
Director
Kurt Wimmer
Genre
Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Children of the Corn About?

The premise of Children of the Corn without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In the isolated town of Gatlin, Nebraska, a mysterious and sinister force has taken root, influencing the local children. An ancient entity known as "He Who Walks Behind the Rows" demands a terrifying sacrifice: the elimination of all adults and outsiders to ensure a plentiful corn harvest. As unsuspecting travelers and residents become victims of a horrifying ritual, the community descends into a nightmare of bloodshed and unspeakable horror, trapped within a field of swaying corn.

Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Children of the Corn Cast & Characters

Alyla Browne leads the cast as Angie, with Elena Kampouris as Boleyn Williams and Mike Duncan. Directed by Kurt Wimmer; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Kurt Wimmer

More films directed by Kurt Wimmer, best-rated first: Equilibrium, Ultraviolet and One Man’s Justice.

Full filmography
Ratings

Children of the Corn Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Children of the Corn 11% on Rotten Tomatoes and 22 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 5/100, strongest in story & flow (14) and weakest in rewatch factor (4).

5 /100

Children of the Corn Echo Score Breakdown

The film is overwhelmingly deficient across all major dimensions, resulting in a consistently negative reception. Critics and users criticize its direction, cheap visual execution, terrible performances, and formulaic story, noting a lack of scares, weak sound design, and no replay value. These combined shortcomings leave the movie unengaging and largely unwatchable. In sum, the production fails to deliver any compelling cinematic experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 12

    In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits notably weak direction and visual execution. Critics point to a lack of visual skill, cheap production values, and uninspired cinematography that render the movie visually flat. The overall assessment is that the technical components fail to support the horror premise, resulting in a sub‑par artistic presentation.

  • Character & Emotion 8

    Regarding character and emotion, performances are broadly criticized as poor and unconvincing. Reviewers describe the acting as terrible, with flimsy portrayals that lack depth or chemistry, and the CGI further undermines believability. Consequently the film fails to generate emotional resonance or compelling character dynamics.

  • Story & Flow 14

    In the story domain, the narrative is deemed formulaic and lazily constructed. Critics note a confusing ecological message, bland scares, and a lack of coherent pacing that diminish engagement. The plot’s failures lead to an unenjoyable experience, confirming the perception of a weak and unoriginal storyline.

  • Sensory Experience 10

    The sensory experience is marked by weak sound design and uninspired visual style. Reviewers point out bland audio cues and a lack of atmospheric cohesion, resulting in minimal tension. Overall, the film’s sensory components do not contribute effectively to the horror atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 4

    Rewatch potential is virtually nonexistent, as the film offers no new insights or enjoyment on subsequent viewings. Critics and users alike label it unwatchable and exhausting, with no lasting appeal to motivate repeat engagement. The consensus is that the movie lacks any replay value.

Plot

Children of the Corn Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Children of the Corn from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

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.

Full summary

The whole story of Children of the Corn, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Children of the Corn?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What state does the movie take place in?

Seen Children of the Corn?

FAQ

Children of the Corn FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Children of the Corn, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Children of the Corn?

Children of the Corn runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).

When was Children of the Corn released?

Children of the Corn was released on March 3, 2023.

Who directed Children of the Corn?

Children of the Corn was directed by Kurt Wimmer.

More films by Kurt Wimmer

Who is in the cast of Children of the Corn?

Children of the Corn stars Alyla Browne as Angie, Elena Kampouris as Boleyn Williams and Mike Duncan, among 10 credited actors.

How is Children of the Corn rated?

Children of the Corn has 11% on Rotten Tomatoes, 22 on Metacritic and 5.0/5 on Movie Insider.

Does Children of the Corn have a post-credit scene?

No. Children of the Corn has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app