The 31 Days of Nerd Horror: Day 25
Welcome back to our 31 Days of Nerd Horror! Today, we kick it off with our book of the day, which is Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare—a 2020 novel that takes the slasher genre to new heights with a fast-paced, modern twist. Next up, we have Jonathan Milott and Cary Murnion’s 2020 insane home invasion film Becky. For today’s game, we feature Lies of P—a must-play if you’re into dark reimaginings. Our lore for the week is a chilling story connected to… “A Licked Hand?” Keep following for more spine-tingling picks as our “31 Days of Nerd Horror” trip continues!
CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD BY ADAM CESARE
The protagonist is Quinn Maybrook, a teen who moves to the sleepy town of Kettle Springs just as tensions between the town’s old-school, conservative residents and its rebellious youth are reaching a boiling point. The real nightmare begins when a creepy clown named Frendo starts hunting down local teens, turning what seems like a prank into a full-blown bloodbath.
Nerd horror fans are all about Adam Cesare’s Clown in a Cornfield for its killer throwback to 80s slasher films, but with a fresh, updated feel. It’s perfect for horror nerds who live for gory, high-stakes survival stories where teens have to outsmart a relentless, terrifying killer. Let's be real... killer clowns are a terrifyingly cool staple in horror that nerds can’t get enough of! Also, they’re making this book into a movie, so make sure you pick up a copy of Clown in a Cornfield and get ready for a wild ride through small-town terror.
Becky
Today’s movie pick for our 31 Days of Nerd Horror is Becky, a 2020 film that redefines the home invasion genre with an insane blend of revenge thriller and intense horror. Directed by Jonathan Milott and Cary Murnion, this film is all about 13-year-old Becky (played by Lulu Wilson) who goes all out against a group of escaped convicts. Those convicts are led by a neo-Nazi (played by Kevin James), and they are determined to invade her family’s lake house. Imagine Home Alone but way bloodier and with a vengeance-fueled teen who uses traps, tools, and pure survival instincts to turn the tables on her attackers.
Nerd horror fans will love Becky for how it flips the usual home invasion script. It’s like Kick-Ass got a sinister makeover. The film taps into that niche where youthful rebellion and gory horror collide, offering a wild ride for fans who enjoy seeing underdog characters become unlikely avengers in bloody, chaotic scenarios.
Lies of P
Lies of P is a 2023 game by Neowiz Games that takes the classic Pinocchio tale and drags it through a gothic horror nightmare. Set in the ruined city of Krat, you follow P, a mechanical puppet on a mission to find Geppetto. But this isn’t your typical fairytale—it’s filled with monstrous automatons, a deadly plague, and a haunting atmosphere that will give you chills.
Nerd horror fans are all over Lies of P for its intricate world-building and its fusion of classic literature with dark, gothic horror vibes. Lies of P is a thrilling ride through a beautifully twisted world.
THE LICKED HAND (USA)
This chilling urban legend revolves around a girl who hears news reports about an escaped killer. She locks her doors and feels comforted by her dog, who licks her hand from under the bed. In the morning, she discovers her dog has been killed, and the licks she felt were actually from the killer hiding in her room.
Watch the Happy Hour Podcast tell the story:
