"Candyman" (2021) is Gruesome Fun While Expanding on the Mythology

 

Fall is just around the corner, believe it or not, which means we're going to see more scary movies start to populate the cinemas. As a fan of horror, I always look forward to these new creepy stories. Director Nia DaCosta's new film Candyman opened this last weekend and I was finally able to check it out. I knew nothing of the original franchise, and so before venturing off to the cinema, I watched the first film from 1992 to prepare myself. That movie surprised me in so many ways. The mythology of the Candyman is tragic but also muddled and somewhat unclear regarding the "rules," but that original film painted a clear picture regarding tone and atmosphere that is unlike most slasher movies. Watching it made me more excited to see this new film, which is a direct sequel to the first (there have been a few other Candyman films since 1992, all of which I haven't seen or know much about). Though Candyman (2021) did nothing to really help clarify the muddled mythology and unclear rules set out by the original, it expanded upon it nonetheless and did not disappoint as a clear and effective horror film.

The story of this film takes us back to the now-gentrified Chicago neighborhood where the legend began in the first film, and follows artist Anthony McCoy (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) who stumbles upon the Candyman legend while seeking inspiration for his next series of work. He meets a man named William Burke (Colman Domingo) who tells him about the legend, which we learn is more than just a creepy bedtime story. Tempted by the summoning process, Anthony causes the return of the infamous killer, and is effected by the terror that reigns down on those who also conduct the summoning process - effected in ways far beyond one might expect. The movie does a great job of connecting to that first film without feeling shoe-horned, and there are specific connections between characters we meet in this movie with that of the last that make for really interesting storytelling. But at the end of the day, though I really liked this movie, I think it might have missed an opportunity to be something greater than it is.

I really loved the expansion of the legend in this movie. In the 1992 film, the origins of the Candyman are mentioned and serves as your typical expositional plot device to give context to the movie's main baddie. In this new film, writers Jordan Peele, Win Rosenfeld, and Nia DaCosta take that legend and give it greater meaning. Candyman now represents something larger than a vengeful spirit - what exactly that is I won't say in lieu of spoilers, but I will say that it's very timely and relevant, especially now. That was my favorite aspect of the movie, and it's one that would have benefited from utilizing characters that you really care about, as well as a clearer understanding of how the mythology works, rules-wise. Anthony is a painter who lives with his affluent art dealer girlfriend. Throughout the movie, it seems as though the Candyman affects him differently than others. There might be an overall reason, one I won't allude to in case of spoilers again, but that reason isn't as clear as it could be. With such a fantastic approach, I was left wanting more, so much so that when the movie ended it felt very abrupt and unresolved.

That's not to say the movie is horrible or anything. As a horror flick I think it's one of the better one's we've seen in quite a while. The way the character of Candyman is used throughout the movie is really effective. There are scenes where you see him in subtle moments that will just give you the creeps because you're not expecting it. The kills are masterfully executed, and each of these moments are absolutely terrifying and gruesome. The acting overall was pretty good, with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II being the standout. This wouldn't be a surprise to those who have seen some of his work as of late; the guy is awesome (he's brilliant in HBO's Watchmen series, and I can't wait to see him in The Matrix: Resurrection later this year). DaCosta's direction is really great, using the camera and mirrors, specifically, to really create an ominous atmosphere and incredibly tense and harrowing death scenes. I enjoyed the movie overall, but was left wanting more.

If you're a fan of slasher films, and particularly the Candyman franchise, check this one out of you haven't already. For a horror film, it hits all the marks and makes for a really great time at the theater.