Watch Children of the Corn 5: Fields of Terror

Children of the Corn 5: Fields of Terror is a 1998 horror film, the fifth installment in the Children of the Corn series, which is itself inspired by the 1977 short story by Stephen King. This sequel was directed by Ethan Wiley and features an ensemble cast, including Stacy Galina, Alexis Arquette, Eva Mendes, Greg Vaughan, and others. While the movie follows the general premise established by its predecessors, it introduces a new storyline and set of characters into the chilling and malevolent world of Gatlin, Nebraska.

The movie centers on a group of young friends on a road trip to deliver the ashes of a deceased buddy to his family. The group includes the compassionate and sensible Allison (played by Stacy Galina), the tough but kind-hearted Greg (Greg Vaughan), the quirky artist Kir (Alexis Arquette), and the free-spirited, feisty Eva (Eva Mendes), among other friends embodying the youthful exuberance and carelessness that often accompany such adventures.

As the friends journey across the rural heartland of America, they encounter an expected detour that leads them to an isolated community surrounded by vast cornfields. The setting of the movie is marked by its desolate landscapes and eerie atmosphere, perfect for incubating a sense of growing unease. It's within these fields that the movie unleashes its horror, as the group soon discovers that the town is far from ordinary. It is inhabited by a group of children who subscribe to a twisted religious cult, worshipping a demonic entity they refer to as "He Who Walks Behind the Rows."

The children in Gatlin are convinced that their deity demands blood sacrifices to ensure the prosperity of their crops, and they strictly adhere to a set of daunting rules and rituals to appease this malevolent force. Their society is one without adults, as adults are seen as impure and unworthy, and thus, any outsiders—especially adults—are not welcomed. The cult is managed by a zealous leader, a young boy who commands with an iron grip and sparing not even those among his ranks who dare question his authority.

The film unravels with a tense, foreboding ambiance as Allison and her friends navigate this unsettling terrain, trying to understand the circumstances that led these children down such a dark path. They encounter the complexities of faith gone astray, the weakening grip on reality, and the manipulative nature of cult leaders as they try to find a way to escape the town. Alongside the spine-chilling theme of religious fanaticism, the picture taps into psychological horror and the innate fear of isolation in an unfamiliar environment.

As the narrative develops, Allison's character is fleshed out, showing her compassionate nature as she attempts to make sense of the situation. Her interactions with some of the less indoctrinated children of the cult expose the vulnerability and innocence that remain beneath the surface of their collective facade.

However, their rescue efforts are met with resistance, supernatural occurrences, and the brute force of the cult's convictions. The film raises questions about the power of belief and the malleability of children, exploited by forces beyond their understanding. The visitors are forced to confront their own beliefs and survival instincts amidst their fight to free themselves and potentially save some of the children from a fate tied to a diabolical presence.

Children of the Corn 5: Fields of Terror plays with a palette of horror tropes that fans of the genre will recognize. It combines suspense and terror with the various dynamics of the group of friends, each dealing with the threat in their way, contributing to the movie's tension and pacing. The struggle between reason and blind faith is a recurring theme throughout the film, challenging both the characters and the audience to reflect on the dangerous intersection where superstition and innocence collide.

Despite its direct-to-video release and standing as a later entry in a long line of sequels, the movie managed to weave its narrative with moments of genuine horror and moral quandaries. The performances from the main and supporting cast help anchor the fantastical elements to a more relatable human experience. For fans of the series and newcomers alike, Children of the Corn 5: Fields of Terror offers a chilling journey into the dark corners of rural America, where terror can sprout from the most unexpected places.

Children of the Corn 5: Fields of Terror is a 1998 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.9.