Candyman (1992)

Candyman tells the story of a woman investigating a story of a vengeful spirit haunting a near-by housing project as part of her graduate work. As she learns more about the influence this hook-handed figure has on the people of Cabrini Green, she is thrust into his legend- and must fight to escape his clutches.

Candyman (1992) entered my life when I was a wee little child. I was probably around 7 when I heard about it. 

“I dare you to go in the bathroom, turn off the light, and say ‘Candyman’ five times.”

Though I was intrigued by the idea of a figure haunting me, there were a couple of problems with the legend. One, I was a fat kid growing up. You mean to tell me some guy with candy was going to show up- and I was supposed to be scared? And two, I shared a two bedroom apartment with my four siblings and two parents. When the fuck was I going to be able to get the bathroom to myself?

But I found the time to give it a go- because as a 7 year old, this shit was important. I went into the bathroom, said his name five times, and braced myself…

And nothing happened. No hook. No candy. No appearance or anything.

Well, at least until somebody banged on the door and told me to get out.

I found out later that Candyman was actually from a scary movie, and he was supposed to show up with a hook for a hand and murder the hell out of me. Though he didn’t arrive on time, his story definitely had it’s hooks in me. 

The movie is about a graduate student named Helen who hears a local legend about ‘Candyman,’ an evil spirit who haunts the nearby Cabrini-Green. As she heads to the projects, she is not only confronted by the residents (who see her as an outsider looking to profit off of their terror), but eventually by the spirit himself. As she becomes a pawn to Candyman’s will, she realizes there is more horror to the legend than she had initially believed.

There is much to love about this movie, and it’s a cult classic because of what the director, Bernard Rose, did with Clive Barker’s short story “The Forbidden.” Rose set the story in Chicago’s Cabrini-Green and created a folk legend that people of the 90’s only whispered about to each other. Tony Todd’s portrayal of Candyman was chilling, personifying vengeance in a way that viewers not only understood, but were unable to to look away from. Also, the ending of the movie is so satisfying because it leaves on a dark note- though the tragedy of what could have been was avoided, things are far from being okay. And more than that, viewers witness that even with so much chaos occurring throughout the movie, very little has changed for the neighborhood of Cabrini Green from where it had started in the beginning. Heavy stuff here, doc.

I can’t think of much about the movie that I did not like. It is a beautifully made movie that lives up to the hype. The movie did leave me with one question I always wish was expanded on in some way: what was up with the gang-leader who called himself Candyman and attacked Helen? I always felt there was more to that story or to the reasoning of why he did it. (Luckily, this is kind of touched upon in Nia DaCosta’s 2021 continuation of the legend.

Rating: I give this movie 10 hook hands out of 10. Tony Todd murdered the role of Candyman, the story is well written, and things move very fast. Not a dull moment in sight.

If you are looking for a good book to sink your hook into that is similar to Candyman (1992), start off with anything Clive Barker. He not only has the multiple Books of Blood he has written, he also wrote The Hellbound Heart, which later spawned the Hellraiser movie franchise. As always, King and his myriad of books and short stories also share some qualities, especially when it comes to having a bleak outlook for the characters. Start out with one of his short-story collections like Skeleton Crew or Nightshift and you are sure to have a good read.

On the movie side of things, I can’t rave enough about Nia DaCosta’s Candyman (2021), a continuation of the Candyman mythos (more like an expansion). The cast does an amazing job and DaCosta’s use of the legend to highlight the racial tensions and injustices still happening today was beautifully executed. You can also check out Hellraiser (1987), a dark legend made in the same style of Candyman (1992). A group of other-worldy demons seek to torture (with pleasure?) anybody who solves the puzzle that summons them.

As always, don’t forget to give ‘Sweets to the Sweet!’ But also, feel free to shoot your movie suggestions my way.

Until next time…

-M