It feels like it's been a long road for Nia DaCosta's Candyman. It was early last year when the first trailer dropped. It had the inclusion of a new take on "Say My Name" that just brought a strong presence to things. I was pumped and ready to go. Then COVID hit and lockdown, it just hyped the film for me. It led to this becoming my most anticipated film of this year. More than even Halloween Kills.
Now, I'm only going to do this once. This review will have SPOILERS. If you have not seen the film, go see it and return to read the rest after.
Okay, last warning.
Alright say it with me. And if you want to back out, now's your chance.
Candyman.
Candyman.
Candyman.
Candyman.
Candyman.
Nia DaCosta's Candyman is a completely different beast of a film than I was expecting. Typically, I would give the sypnosis of the film and then dive into the details. However, with this one I'm going to just dive deep into things and talk about the story as it goes along.
We open with a young boy telling a story with his shadow puppets. It's about a man that encounters a few police and then is chased by them. This was something that looking back at the film was a bit of foreshadowing. That's definitely one of the biggest highlights of NiaDacosta's Candyman - the many layers of the film. The young boy is told by his mother to go and take care of the laundry. He does as he's told and we are able to see Cabrini-Green in the early 70s. And the police are looking for a man named Sherman Fields. Now, Sherman Fields is a man that has a hook for a hand. He's been seen passing candies around to the children that live in the area. But rest assured, there are candies that are found with razor blades in them. Immediately the police jump to it being Sherman Fields. The big reason probably it being an easy way to close the case and race. The young boy enters the building and throws the laundry in the washer. He's quickly trying to get out of there as he's completely alone. And in the hallway, there's a hole in the wall.
Now, for me - I'd be terrified of seeing a hole in the wall. It's pitch black inside of it. It allows one's mind to just project all the fears and thoughts into what could be in that space. Hell there's been times where if I'm alone in my house, I begin to get creeped out. My house is old and it definitely is true that they have their creaks. So, I was right in there just wishing that the boy would hurry up. As he turns to go up the stairs, a little silver wrapped candy comes out of the hole and slides across the floor. At that point, I would have been out of there. Probably would have tripped and fell up the steps attempting it. The young boy though is terrified and frozen in place after screaming. Sherman Fields emerges from the wall. Sherman is able to hand off some candy to the young boy, who then proceeds up the stairs. The police quickly arrive on the scene and make sure the boy is out of the way. However, instead of there being just the two police officers that were in their police car outside - it's at least twelve officers. And sad to say that they are quick to act and kill Sherman.
This was a very bold way to jump start the film. It has a very distinct feel to it that's created by the atmosphere and tension. The imagery is very strong. Especially the use of shadows. It also helps establish this Candyman's story. And with such a strong beginning, the message of the film hits super super strong. With this film, there are many layers and messages within it. I honestly cannot recall a film that made me think this much. That's probably why I fell in love with it so much. And the best part of it all, it will hit differently for each person that watches it. So it allows the viewer to let the film create a personal connection with them.
After the solid opening, we meet Anthony McCoy and Brianna Cartwright. They are having a dinner date with Brianna's brother, Troy and his boyfriend, Grady (I think that's it. Apologize if it's not.). It's established that Anthony is a great artist but is going through a small rut and cannot find inspiration. Troy ends up sharing a nice ghost tale with Anthony and Brianna. It's the tale of Helen Lyle - a graduate student who went on a killing spree in the 90s. She apparently attempted to sacrifice a baby before she was stopped by the residents. This was an amazing call back to the original. It helped establish the theme of mythic stories and the way we tell them. Because as us in the audience that have seen the original, we know the real story. But just the way stories can change and evolve as they are passed down is something that is very interesting.
After looking into Helen's story, Anthony travels to Cabrini-Green to see if he can find any inspiration. While there, he discovers just how empty the area is. It's literally a ghost town - this sequence was very eerie with some tragedy to it. Just seeing all of the empty buildings in the area with no one around. It's unsettling and shows how much the city has just given up on it. Expanding upon the theme of gentrification that was mentioned in the first one. Comparing the Cabrini-Green of this film to the one from the first film, it's interesting seeing how farther it went. Especially after it's mentioned that the high-risers were taken down to make way for newer buildings. Looking back at this sequence, just seeing Anthony interacting with the area he was born in - it was a little heartbreaking. This whole film is so tragic and adds even more layers to that original film.
While on his journey, Anthony meets William Burke. Burke is a local that grew up around Cabrini-Green. To me, it's a bit sad that Burke is someone that hasn't gotten out of the area. He can't seem to let go of the past or honestly doesn't wish to. Later on, we discover more of Burke's backstory and learn that he is the young boy from the beginning of the film. Burke helps run a local laundromat. Oh and also while Anthony was walking around his former stomping grounds, he was stung by a bee. It is definitely at this point that the film begins to kickstart everything. Back to Burke, he shares the local story of Candyman to Anthony as well as the 'rules' of how to summon him.
Inspired by this new story, Anthony crafts an art exhibit centered around 'Candyman' that is featured at Brianna's gallery. The way that the exhibit uses the mirror to showcase the art. That was absolutely awesome with the way it just looks like a simple mirror. But it opens to reveal Anthony's art hidden behind it. Anthony's exhibit dares people to say his name. Unbeknownst to him, Anthony has begun spreading the tale of Candyman and reminding people of him again. A high school girl is at the exhibit and learns of the 'game'. Anthony leaves after he sees his exhibit hasn't received positive feedback.
Brianna's coworkers are murder later that evening after one of them says 'Candyman' in front of the mirror. News gets out of this after Brianna discovers their bodies. Immediately Anthony is a little happy because he heard mention of his name and his work. Honestly, this wasn't a bad moment. There are some that will think that Anthony has started off his rocker because he isn't showing much empathy for the death of Brianna's coworkers. But like any PR is good PR. Moving back to the murder of Brianna's co-workers, it's off putting. It happens very quick and it's very unapologetic. Especially when it comes to one of them, it happens before you can fully process what happened. And before you know it, you are left with one of them being hunted by Candyman. With this kill, it's a little slower. It utilizes the mirrors to show that Candyman is an entity. He can only be seen in mirrors or reflections. That is something that is utterly terrifying. And seeing the cutting of another piece of art - seeing nothing and then in the reflection seeing Candyman. That was awesome. It helps set Candyman on a more mythic level.
The legend continues to spread as more people are killed after saying his name, including an art critic and a group of high school girls. Now, both of these sequences are awesome. They are great contrasts to one another. One is a bit isolated as we witness the murder from a wide shot. It's a very beautiful shot as the moment of horror is contrasted to the neighbors around in the apartment building. It's also one that is very sudden. The group of high school girls is definitely a whole different beast. They think that they are playing a game and that it's not real. However after they are mean to another girl, one of the girls heads back to get her vape. Cause you know, you gotta have that. But its when Candyman shows himself. We don't see what happens to each of the girls. We are left with the girl they were picking on in a bathroom stall. Just witnessing the horrors that happens and seeing the events from a compact mirror.
Anthony continues a transformation. His bee sting has now transformed into a much worse transformation. It's scabbed over and there is so much body horror on display at first. It was to the point where I wanted to yell at the screen. I wanted to yell at Anthony for being an idiot and just stop picking at it. Honestly, the whole sequences of seeing Anthony's transformation. It's very artistic and that's pretty cool tie to the film. Especially as it travels up the side of his body and face, it gives the feel of a honeycomb look to it. And that's something cool to differentiate this Candyman from what has come before.
Anthony ends up seeing his mother after he learns he was born in Cabrini-Green. It was nice seeing Anne-Marie returning from the original. But to me, it feels like it's nothing more than a cameo. Like yeah it does help Anthony realize how far into things he is. It felt like we should have gotten more with her. Honestly, it may not have hurt to shown a little flashback to when Anthony was younger. At this point, Anthony is taking time to not see his mom. It isn't till he's desperate to confirm what he knows - when he needs her the most that he sees her. It fell a little flat because we don't necessarily have much insight into this relationship.
The whole relationship between Anthony and Brianna. That's another point for me that didn't necessarily gel for me. I get that they are supposed to care about each other. However, it feels surface level. We don't see many scenes where they are interacting together. And as for Brianna, she already had a lot of stuff in her closet. It feels like there are more in depth layers to her backstory. I mean they set up her father was an artist and when she was younger he committed suicide. To me, it feels like there was more to it that was cut. Personally, I wanted to learn more about what was he painting as that was what led to his suicide. Was he seeing Candyman himself? It would have added a bit more tragedy to things. It feels like there is stuff that was cut for time or maybe it wasn't working.
Brianna is worried about Anthony after an argument. It leads her to Burke. At this point, this is where Burke's backstory is on full display as well as his motives. He wants to bring back Candyman. He wants to get back for those that are wronged. To do so, he has to complete Anthony's transformation and ensure a tragic event would befall Anthony. Somehow that recipe would allow Anthony to become Candyman. Like Burke is off his rocker. But after thinking bout the film, it made me think about the opening with the Sherman Fields. Was the young Burke trying to do this same thing back then? Or was this something that happened over the course of the years? We also see a flashback where we see Burke kicked out of the bathroom by his sister. She says he's too young and that she's going to play a game that is for adults. She says the name and then a thud is heard. Burke is able to open the door slightly to see his sister on the ground and then sees the Sherman Fields Candyman in the mirror.
Burke calls the police and informs that there is a murderer in Cabrini-Green with a hook for a hand. At this point, I had already known how the film was going to end. It wasn't going to be a happy one. It was going to be one fitting for this franchise. Brianna was able to get free before Burke could give her a lollipop (complete with razor inside). There's a chase and we close out in the same building that Anthony had gone into at the beginning of the film. It was kind of a full circle. Brianna is able to kill Burke. But then we have Anthony come into the room, his wounds were finally getting to him. The lights of the cop cars begin to shine. It's a touching moment between Anthony and Brianna.
Then the door kicks open and immediately shots are fired killing Anthony. Brianna is escorted out of the room to a car. An officer gets into the car and asks what happened. Brianna's in a very stunned moment. The officer tells her that this is going to go two ways. At this moment, I felt extremely uncomfortable. It's definitely a feeling you are supposed to have. This whole sequence felt very close to what I can only imagine is something that happens more than we would like to say. It's something that is still extremely relevant, especially after everything that happened last year. When Brianna finally snaps out of it, she's ready to do what she has to. The thing that she said she wouldn't do. She says Candyman into the car mirror. Anthony returns - at this point I was like Let's Go, and enacts justice on the officers. There is a bit of flashing lights in this scene. My partner is someone that doesn't do well with those. I'm hoping that when it comes out on blu ray, this scene won't be a problem for them. Because this is the sequence that is so beautiful. It's so perfect. Especially as we see Anthony, in full Candyman mode, walking around the police cruiser. The reflection in the miraror each consisting of a different Candyman (someone that had a tragic injustice happened to them) before he chases after the final officer. It also can be said that in the beginning of Anthony's walk he was walking, but when he rounded the cruiser - he was floating off the ground. Super super cool. The speech that Anthony is giving during it is the one that is so memorable. It is Tony Todd's infamous speech from the first film.
By this point, I had nothing but goosebumps. So so perfect. Brianna exits the cruiser and follows the sounds that are happening. She discovers the final officer being attacked by Candyman. At this point, his face was covered by bees. It was hard to discern if it was Anthony. But then the bees parted to reveal Tony Todd's face and telling Brianna to tell everyone.
Now on to the topic of Candyman himself. I love what they did with it. Yeah, we don't get Tony Todd's Candyman right away. There is a beautiful build up to it. The film expands the lore so much by introducing not just Sherman Field's Candyman but that there were three others besides Daniel Robitaille. The idea that Candyman is a hive - not just one person is Candyman. That is so frickin bold. It also helps illustrate why the Candyman that Helen had seen was Tony Todd's and not Sherman Fields. It's because it reflects on which story you first hear. Now, there are three other Candyman that we didn't see. That honestly opens up a large portion of storytelling potential if they wanted to dive into those. Though, the credits were so important. The original theme finally returns as we witness the shadow puppets making a return. They are telling the stories of Candyman through the years. So we get glimpses of each of the Candyman's stories. The most heartbreaking one to me being of the child. We aren't exactly given details on what happened - but it is so tragic. The final imagery being of the five Candymen with others beginning to stand behind them. It is so powerful.
I think this may be the most that I have talked about a film yet. There is just so much to talk about. There is still things that could be talked about. Like I mentioned earlier, this film is so beautiful because of the many many layers it has. It is possible to take something different away with each viewing of the film. It did feel a little short because the pacing is a little quick. It makes me wonder if there was things that were taken out for its theatrical run. If there were things, what was it? There are still some things that felt like they were dropped instead of being closed out. Could they be picked up on in a sequel? That could very well be. At this point, I am hoping that we will see a sequel to this. And it cannot come to blu ray fast enough.
Rating: 5 out of 5. Amazing story. Strong imagery, strong messages and many layers to the film.
