Review – ‘Candyman’ (1992)

‘Candyman’ is one of those films that I’ve heard about most of my life as a horror fan. It regularly sits at the top among top tier horror lists and for good reason. As I’d heard so much about it, I essentially already knew the plot, causing me to take longer to watch it. I finally watched it the other night, and the film is fantastic.

The film follows a grad student researching a thesis on the urban legend known as the ‘Candyman’, she begins to follow the myth down the rabbit hole, and unknowingly tempts the very thing she’s searching for out of the shadows.

What stood out to me the most was the thick, heavy atmosphere that the film is dripping with. From the sweeping shots of the campus to the bleak tracking shots of Cabrini Green, the film envelops you in this world of urban murder and myth. Accompanying these shots is the beautiful piano score, which is both romantic, yet tragic as it leads you into this classical horror that harkens back to the romantic idealism of The Phantom of the Opera.

Almost as a backdrop to the horrendous backdrop to which the movie is set. There is something breathtaking about the contrast of the grey decrepit estate with the fantastical storytelling, it reminds me of a Del-Toro film, sort of a dark fairytale.

Performances are compelling and realistic. Virginia Madsen’s portrayal of the brazen no nonsense student is relatable, especially her skepticism of the tale. As the plot moves forward, there is a sympathetic nature to her, as if she was doomed from the very beginning. Tony Todd plays the titular ‘Candyman’, and is smooth, terrifying and utterly mystifying. From the his large fur coat to his deliberate deep voice, he is definitely a contender for horrid coolest villain. The iconic hook hand is as much a character as anybody else, and it has never looked so good. And bees are the coolest weapon I think a horror film has had in a long time.

As a contemporary slasher, the film does away with the tried and tested formula where others had stood before and presents an almost noir thriller, not dissimilar to the best Christie Novels. What will make this film survive through the test of time is it’s racial tones and subtext, no wonder it’s still being talked about today with a remake on the way. The film deals with the institutional racism of 90s America, in which the police do not get involved until a white women is attacked on the estate. Candyman’s tragic backstory is a time capsule into the days of demonising black men, and the horror and vengeance haunts the ground of Cabrini Green until this day. Candyman shows Madsen’s character what it feels like to persecuted, transforming her into his victim.

A true classic.

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