Candyman

Almost thirty-six years separate the first film written and directed by Bernard Rose from the cinematographic saga Candyman to this new chapter.  The basis of this saga is the 1985 short story The Forbidden from Clive Barker's Books of Blood, which tells the legend of the Candyman, a ghost of an artist and son of a slave who was murdered at the end of the 19th century. Bernard Rose's film, which was not as successful as it should have been, was followed by two later sequels, Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh (1995) and Candyman: Day of the Dead (1999). This new part does not take into account these two sequels and is the direct continuation of the first part and is easily the most successful of this cinematographic saga. By revisiting the myth of the Candyman and revisiting the first part, this new Candyman proves to be an undeniable success that benefits from a great care in the narration and the originality of the treatment (several animated passages narrate the events of the past).

The residents of the Cabrini-Green neighborhood of Chicago have been terrorized for many years by a ghost story told by word of mouth, that of a supernatural killer with a hook for a hand, easily summoned by those who dare to repeat his name five times in a mirror. Now, ten years after the demolition of Cabrini's last towers, artist Anthony McCoy (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II; Watchmen, Us) and his partner, gallery director Brianna Cartwright (Teyonah Parris; If Beale Street Could Talk, The Photograph), are moving into a luxurious Cabrini loft. Just as Anthony's painting career is about to end, a chance encounter with a Cabrini-Green alumnus (Colman Domingo; HBO's Euphoria, Assassination Nation) exposes Anthony to the tragically horrific nature of the Candyman's true story. Anxious to maintain his status in the Chicago art world, Anthony begins to explore these macabre details in his studio for paintings. Unknowingly, he opens a door to a complex past that exposes his own sanity and unleashes a wave of terrifying violence that sets him on the path to destiny. 

The script co-written by director Nia DaCosta, Jordan Peele and Win Rosenfeld proves to be an excellent way to revive the Candyman film saga by placing it in a recent context and by having a real look at urban legends often inspired by true facts. In the same way, it is impossible not to see in this film a criticism of the current American society and the claim of equality rights of African-Americans (Black Live Matter movement). This film is all the more effective when the forces of law and order are subjected to the revenge of the new Candyman.  The screenwriters have perfectly assimilated the important elements of the original film and propose not only to place the city of Chicago at the very center of the story, but also to propose a fascinating plot punctuated by very strong scenes of violence and to approach the question of the integration of African-American minorities in the current American society. In the same way, it is impossible not to see in this film a criticism of modern art and the values of those who reach a higher class thanks to an ephemeral glory.

While most of the sequels of successful horror films are content to exploit the recipe of the original film, Candyman surprises by its treatment to pay as much homage to the film of Bernard Rose but also to place it in the current context and to leave a real time for the main characters to evolve. The scenes of graphic violence are not at the center of the film but reinforce this hostile climate in which an urban legend will resurface and make the artist Anthony McCoy the new Candyman (we will appreciate the presence of the actor Tony Todd who was Candyman in the previous films). By relying on local folklore and on facts from the past, Candyman becomes a necessary presence so that this neighborhood of Chicago can remain in peace and not know again the vengeance of an evil being created by man and who wishes to take revenge in a violent way and without any concession.

Certainly the director Nia DaCosta has been able to impose a new look on the cinematographic saga Candyman and after a first film noticed Little Woods (2018) risks to impose herself as a director not to be missed, given that her next film will be one of the most expected of 2022, The Marvels (sequel of Captain Marvel).

Candyman
Directed by Nia DaCosta
Screenplay by Jordan Peele, Win Rosenfeld, Nia DaCosta
Based on Candyman by Bernard Rose, "The Forbidden" by Clive Barker
Produced by Ian Cooper, Win Rosenfeld, Jordan Peele
Starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Colman Domingo, Tony Todd
Cinematography: John Guleserian
Edited by Catrin Hedström
Music by Robert A. A. Lowe
Production companies : Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Monkeypaw Productions, Bron Studios, Creative Wealth Media
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date : August 27, 2021 (United States), September 29, 2021 (France)
Running time : 91 minutes

Seen on August 27, 2021 (Universal Pictures screener press)

Mulder's Mark: