Candyman

Candyman

Anthony and his partner move into a loft in the now gentrified Cabrini-Green. After a chance encounter with an old-timer exposes Anthony to the true story behind Candyman, he unknowingly opens a door to a complex past that unravels his own sanity and unleashes a terrifying wave of violence.

  • Released: 2021-08-25
  • Runtime: 91 minutes
  • Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thrillers
  • Stars: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, Colman Domingo, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Kyle Kaminsky, Vanessa Williams, Brian King, Miriam Moss, Rebecca Spence, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Christiana Clark, Michael Hargrove, Rodney L Jones III, Ireon Roach, Breanna Lind, Heidi Grace Engerman, Sarah Lo, Malic White, Mark Montgomery, Torrey Hanson, Cassie Kramer, Sarah Wisterman, Cedric Mays, Alec Silver, Hannah Love Jones, J. Nicole Brooks, Pamela Jones, Genesis Denise Hale, Katherine Purdie, Tien Tran, Mike Geraghty, Aaron Crippen, Dan Fierro, Nadia Simms, Nancy Pender, Johnny Westmoreland, Guy Spencer, Daejon Staeker, Tony Todd, Virginia Madsen, Ben Marten
  • Director: Nia DaCosta
 Comments
  • jacksongodfrey-41552 - 30 April 2024
    Don't say the name five times
    "Candyman" (2021) resurrects the urban legend with a contemporary twist, offering a chilling and thought-provoking exploration of societal issues through the lens of horror. Directed by Nia DaCosta and co-written by Jordan Peele, this reimagining of the cult classic had outstanding visuals and was very mentally stimulating. One of the film's standout elements is its visual style. DaCosta's direction, coupled with cinematographer John Guleserian's work, creates a haunting atmosphere that permeates every frame. From the eerie, mirrored surfaces of the Cabrini-Green housing project to the gritty streets of Chicago, the film's setting feels both familiar and foreboding. The use of shadow and light enhances the sense of dread, while the striking visual motifs, such as reflections and bees, add layers of symbolism to the narrative. The use of lighting and sound create echoes and shadows that add intensity to many of the scenes. The performances in "Candyman" are equally compelling. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II delivers a great portrayal of Anthony McCoy, an artist who becomes obsessed with the Candyman legend. His journey from skepticism to terror is intense and surreal, drawing the audience deeper into the film's psychological depths. Teyonah Parris shines as Anthony's girlfriend, Brianna, bringing a strong sense of agency to her role as she grapples with her own demons. At its core, "Candyman" is a reflection on the power of storytelling and its ability to shape reality. By weaving the Candyman myths and tales into the fabric of the narrative, the film explores many themes, such as gentrification, racial injustice, and trauma. DaCosta and Peele so creatively navigate these complex issues, using horror as a vessel to both appease the common horror movie goer, while also spreading messages. Peele has always been known for being a master at intertwining both real world reflection with fantastic visual films, but it was refreshing to see a woman director do the same. Women haven't always had the spotlight in horror, so this was a great thing for the genre. However, the movie wasn't perfect, an occasional rushing of the camera that was purposeful, but in my opinion, annoying threw it off for me a little. Regardless though, this is subjective and it's an overall solid movie.
  • frukuk - 14 October 2023
    What a horrible mess
    Oh dear, what were the filmmakers thinking?

    Candyman (1992) pretty much said all that needed to be said, featured Tony Todd's perfect performance as the Candyman and had a wonderful soundtrack by Philip Glass. Why produce this very poor derivative work? What does it add? If you've never seen Candyman (1992), then please go and watch it instead of this poor substitute. If you have seen Candyman (1992), then please avoid this as it it adds nothing.

    I thought the moral of this story was going to be that "art for art's sake" can lead a struggling artist to embrace some very dark subject matter. But it's not as simple as that and I'm not sure there really is any moral here at all. By trying to expand the concept of the Candyman, the makers of this film have delivered a rather unfocused mess.