Candyman (2021)

So, this is a sequel to the 1992 version of Candyman, not to be confused with any of the other 40 Candyman movies out there. And especially not to be confused with the documentary about the dude who invented Jelly Belly beans.

This movie takes place in Chicago, more specifically a gentrified freshly, in most part, built neighborhood. The story is centered on an artist, Anthony, trying to find inspiration for his next art-installment. The inspiration comes from a story his fiancees brother tells and a chance-meeting with a guy who claims to have met the Candyman in his youth and has a lot of information on the tales.

Anthony decides to use the legend of the Candyman in his art and incorporates it in an installment, proposing the viewer of the piece to call on the Candyman. This is where things are starting to go south.

The movie is heavy on the social commentary, not being subtle about it, instead letting the whole story rest on it. This is by no means a bad decision, but it might put some people off who are expecting a straight up horror movie. I am by no means the right person to comment on those themes being a white male, but it’s well incorporated into the story. Don’t get me wrong though, this movie has got it scary moments, jump-scares, slasher-moments and some body horror. But considering Jordan Peele is one of the writers, there will be another layer to it, much like his other movies.

The acting is solid throughout the movie, with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II doing most of the heavy lifting portraying the former brilliant artist looking for new inspiration and his slow descent into some kind of madness. The supporting cast does a good job as well, although they don’t get too much to do, apart from Teyonah Parris playing the fiancee and Colman Domingo playing the man who met the Candyman in his youth.

The movie doesn’t overstay it’s welcome, keeping the story pretty tight and doesn’t go batshit crazy in the third act, which some horror flicks tend to do sometimes. Nice art-direction is telling the background-story, and the camera work makes for some good jumps in a couple of scenes.

See it if you’re a fan of the genre, like Peele’s previous movies, or want a horror with some serious social commentary.