The arrival of child prophet Isaac Chroner (John Franklin) in the drought-ridden Nebraskan town of Gatlin spells death for all the adults who live there. Isaac demands that the children of the town murder their parents to appease the evil presence in the corn and restore the rain.

Three years later, young couple Burt and Vicky (Peter Horton and Linda Hamilton) arrive in the strangely quiet town by accident, unaware of the death sentence which must be carried out on all adult residents.