Candyman
Candyman explores a haunting urban legend with roots in Cabrini-Green, a Chicago ghetto with a complicated past.
Written by Jordan Peele, Win Rosenfeld, and Nia Dacosta
Directed by Nia Dacosta
Rating: 🏆 Most Excellent
Say his name five times in the mirror and you can summon the Candyman; a dark and murderous creature that is set out to right the wrongs of centuries of prejudice, racism, and the exploitative economic practices of colonialism. In an attempt to push his work and challenge himself to create something new, artist Anthony McCoy (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) decides to summon the Candyman. What ensues is an exploration into the history of Cabrini-Green, a Chicago ghetto that has been gentrified, and the deeply rooted impact of the terrifying Candyman.
On the surface, Candyman is a solid horror movie with gruesome gore, incredible performances by the cast, and a steady build up of suspense. But this movie is so much more than scary. It’s intelligent and subversive and proves yet again that @jordanpeele is a master of horror with a lot to say. Director Nia DaCosta created a visually gruesome, yet beautiful movie that captivated me instantly and held me tightly in its grip until the credits rolled. I haven’t seen the original, so I can’t compare the two, but I can say that I fell in love with this movie almost instantly and will definitely be watching it again soon. Candyman is a must-see and it’s now playing in theaters.
Written by Zianna Weston
Teyonah Parris gives a stunning performance in Candyman.
