Children of the Corn (1984)

Based on the 1977 short story by Stephen King, Children of the Corn (1984) is an American supernatural horror film set in Gatlin, Nebraska, where a failed corn crop drives the townspeople to turn to prayer for a bountiful harvest. However, young Isaac Chroner uses this opportunity to lead the children of Gatlin into a cult centered around a violent deity named ‘He Who Walks Behind the Rows’. Along with his right-hand man Malachai, Isaac orchestrates a horrific rebellion against the adults of the town, using them as sacrifices. Among the few children who did not participate in these gruesome acts are siblings Job and Sarah. Three years later, Vicky and her partner Burt are on a road trip through rural Nebraska, making their way to Seattle for Burt’s new job as a physician.

As they pass through Gatlin, a young boy named Joseph attempts to escape but is viciously attacked in the surrounding cornfields. Burt inadvertently hits him with their car while searching for help. Eventually, they come across Diehl, an elderly mechanic who is the only adult left in town. However, Diehl refuses to offer them aid as he has made a deal with the children of Gatlin to provide them with fuel in exchange for his own safety. Unfortunately, Malachai – one of the leaders of the children – betrays this agreement by killing Diehl after he tries to steer Vicky and Burt away from danger. Undeterred, the couple continues exploring and eventually comes across Sarah living alone in a house. Unbeknownst to them, Malachai and his followers have captured Vicky and taken her to the cornfield where she is tied to a cross as a sacrifice.