He is one of cinema’s greatest boogeymen and has terrified millions of moviegoers. Candyman returns to theaters in 2021 in a reboot of the 1992 film that adapts Clive Barker’s story The Forbidden to the screen. After two years, it ends its journey on Prime Video.
Produced and co-written by one of the genre’s experts, Jordan Peele, the film takes place about ten years after a bogeyman attacked the residents of Cabrine Green. The towers were torn down to make way for luxury buildings where Anthony McCoy and his girlfriend, an artist in need of inspiration, settled in. As he discovers the neighborhood’s history, it draws inspiration for his new paintings…until he sinks.
It is Yahya Abdul-Mateen II who gives his qualities to the hero, an actor who is more and more present on our screens and connects with blockbusters (Aquaman, Matrix, Ambulance…). Unfortunately for him, Candyman is nowhere near as successful as the 1992 film. Released in a difficult context – with the pandemic and the public abandoning cinemas, it attracted “only” 143,000 entries in France.
Critics haven’t been kind to it either, as evidenced by critics on its AlloCiné page (2.9/5 in press reviews and 2/5 in audience reviews) who criticize it for lacking depth and sophistication. It must be said that Jordan Peele and director Nia DaCosta put a strong social message into it – namely, the enrichment of working-class neighborhoods.
In the good slasher that he is, Candyman at least manages to do one thing: make us scream in terror (or vomit, if you’re a trypophobe like his line-writer). Attention, the film is not in front of anyone at home. At the time of its operation in theaters, it was forbidden for children under the age of 12…
Source: Allocine

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.