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Candyman

Candyman

1992
Drama
Fantasy
1h 39m
Helen Lyle is a student who decides to write a thesis about local legends and myths. She visits a part of the town, where she learns about the legend of the Candyman, a one-armed man who appears when you say his name five times, in front of a mirror (imdb)
Your probable score
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Candyman

1992
Drama
Fantasy
1h 39m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 43.61% from 2604 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(2604)
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Rated 03 Dec 2018
95
96th
Black people get Candyman and we got Balloonboy :( Subplot of a disasterous production of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The Philip Glass score probably tricked me into loving this more than I should, it’s classy and spooky like wearing a tuxedo in the projects. I swear that wasn’t meant to be racy.
Rated 18 Apr 2019
83
83rd
Barker adaptations have always spoken to me, in a gory, demented sort of way. In every way that counts, "Candyman" is the tamest, most generic Barker movie there is. Yet, it is still the only Barker adaptation to have a sequel besides "Hellraiser". While "Candyman" might share similarities with many slasher flicks of the era, it has a much better backstory and atmosphere than its peers. It is a genuinely creepy feeling movie.
Rated 11 Feb 2021
92
70th
I really dug it. I like that the serial killer doesn't ever wear a mask. It adds to the horror a bit in my opinion. I also liked the social commentary and Tony Todd being a total creep. Virginia Madsen is also really good. It's really well directed and I found the story to be pretty solid even if it does leave a few more questions than answers. Speaking as someone who hates how often horror movies have sad/upsetting endings, this one totally worked for me.
Rated 14 Nov 2018
100
94th
This isn't normally my type of horror But this movie is Superb ! In many ways he reminds me of a modern-day vampire with the way he dresses and his speech is sorta old english He's also very seductive I wasn't sure if I was supposed to "Fear Him" or "Get Freaky With Him"....or both ! In my opinion if your looking for something besides your typical slasher flick this is worth the watch
Rated 17 Apr 2012
60
38th
Tony Todd is creepy when he ISN'T a supernatural evil being, so he definitely delivers the goods here.
Rated 29 Jan 2013
61
69th
There's a lot I really liked about this film, but a lot that I also found really lacking. It jumped between a more straight-forward slasher and a creepier psychological tale, it had trouble nailing down Candyman's actual powers and desires, and couldn't decide when to end. But that aside, given the well-acted, fantastically scored, disturbing story it was at certain points, I can't help but feel there's a thriller on the level of the original Wicker Man hiding under the flaws.
Rated 01 Nov 2008
69
50th
It's certainly a better than average horror movie but I found the entire set of rules and motivation set out by Candyman to just be pretty absurd which killed the film for me. However it did pack plenty of weird and surreal psychological scares that were quite unsettling. Nothing really stupendous here though when you look on the movie as a whole though.
Rated 07 Jan 2015
70
58th
An effective horror film, driven by some interesting ideas and themes, well handled by Rose. Madsen does a fine job in the lead role, and Todd is suitably menacing as the titular baddie. The decaying urban setting works well on screen and in the context of the story, and Glass' score provides an often gentle counterpoint to the general unpleasantness, giving the film an unusual tone which helps drive the psychological aspects of the film. While it certainly has its flaws, this is worth seeing.
Rated 25 Mar 2018
75
80th
Engrossing urban legend horror (with a strong oral history narrative, whispers and stories from multiple sources, and beautiful practical effects) and innocent wrongly accused plot - white progressist student writes a thesis about Candyman with Bernadette, her black friend, and takes the weight and blame for years of brutality against black people but they are the only ones who supports her. She becomes avenger of treacherous husband. Women and black now part of same folklore. Pure mythmaking.
Rated 22 Aug 2016
59
36th
Slightly disappointing. There's bursts of gruesomeness, but they're surrounded by pretty standard material and good-enough-I-guess acting. Tony Todd is cool, but Candyman is vaguely defined and just kinda... there. All in all, nothing more than Just Another Decent Budget Clive Barker 90's Horror. Could've used more candy too.
Rated 30 Apr 2009
88
78th
I felt this was a good movie that could've been great. Tony Todd is excellent as the Candyman and the movie is almost more psychological than it is physical horror. The main character can't really go to anyone for help and as such really leaves the character isolated and alone, like a plague-carrier. Interesting concept that is helped a lot by Todd's performance, but still lacking in a lot of areas.
Rated 20 Oct 2016
30
11th
The film feels like a boring, urban version of A Nightmare on Elm Street. There aren't any memorable characters or scares in it. It's not a terrible film, just very bland.
Rated 11 Mar 2020
61
31st
Tony Todd is great, the urban horror themes are great, Glass's score is great, but things don't cohere to make a great whole. It's too slow and doesn't make enough sense.
Rated 25 Sep 2010
65
45th
For such an idiotic sounding plot, this actually isn't that bad. Madsen is earnest enough and Todd does what he does best and looks weird.
Rated 12 Oct 2014
48
10th
This movie was slow, boring and almost all of the characters were stupid and/or annoying, especially the main character. The Candyman himself was interesting, but he wasn't given enough to do in my opinion. Overall, this movie had some interesting moments and a decent villain, but it was tough to sit through. I wouldn't recommend it.
Rated 10 Oct 2010
81
48th
A restrained, mood-drenched horror film with a stark urban setting, featuring excellent performances by Virginia Madsen and Tony Todd. Except for two tacked-on endings that spoil the mood--one in a graveyard (improbable and sentimental), and an even worse one in the widower's bathroom (a trite and typical final horror movie scare)--this would have been a completely successful film.
Rated 11 Oct 2020
80
75th
I was impressed with this film's handling of racial issues. We can all agree that the husband is the worst person in this film.
Rated 18 Jun 2013
62
26th
Philip Glass, Philip Glass, Philip Glass, Philip Glass, Philip Glass.
Rated 21 Jun 2021
50
9th
Candyman was obviously intended to start a Jason Voorhees/Freddy Krueger style franchise with a monster created from a community's pain and neglect. Only this bad guy is African-American and born from history's horrors. But the actual movie's a mess. It's not smart enough to be a psychological thriller, mistakes gore for scares, and puts the villain in laughable 1970's blaxploitation pimp duds. Lastly, a David Lynch-esque midpoint plot turn made me lose interest for the rest of the film. Avoid.
Rated 15 Oct 2011
35
7th
It's a man in a horrible coat, who gives a fuck?
Rated 01 Nov 2014
60
36th
It felt like every time I went to Blockbuster as a kid I would see the cover art for this movie and it would creep me out. A bee on an eyeball does it to me I guess. Fast forward to 2014 and I finally watch it and it doesn't match the unease I felt as a kid.
Rated 02 Sep 2021
83
65th
I got to review this and compare it to the Clive Barker story it was based on for the podcast "Ink to Film!" I liked it more than I expected to, the movie was ahead of its time.
Rated 23 Oct 2012
6
70th
Sort of interesting at points and certainly not a generic slasher, but I wasn't really actively gripped by it at any point either. Tony Todd is admittedly entertaining though.
Rated 16 Mar 2012
70
29th
This is a movie that gets really crazy really suddenly and quite frankly I really like that in my horror movies but it has trouble keeping that madness until the end.
Rated 27 Oct 2013
76
37th
Well this is quite different to what I was expecting (a straightforward teen slasher movie). Both the leads (Tony Todd and Virginia Madsen) are convincing, there's some interesting imagery, and the presentation of the ghetto as horror setting is interesting. But it still never fully holds together as a great horror film. Better than Hellraiser, though.
Rated 09 Jul 2009
90
70th
I saw this film on my 14th birthday. Me and my two best friends (who shared the same birthday as me) were driven to the theatre by my mom. She sat in the back so as not to de-cool us. I'll never forget it.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
65
47th
Superior horror that never misses a beat...until a pathetic last twenty minutes, where a dissatisfying wrap up to the whole film nearly undoes all of the ingenuity it had built up.
Rated 22 Jul 2009
60
29th
Scared me to bits as a pre-teen, haven't been able to say candyman in the mirror since.
Rated 09 Oct 2015
83
72nd
One of those films that grounds itself in realism and then slowly lets the creepiness of the unreal envelop the film and with it the audience. Madsen is great as the lead, matching the audience's transition from disbelief to terror and believable in all aspects of the role. What I really like, though, is the way the film ties together urban legends and inner city troubles. Even if the surreal eventually overwhelms those aspects, it's an interesting setting.
Rated 11 Sep 2017
3
5th
He is known as şeker adam in our land xd
Rated 16 Aug 2021
5
81st
Beautifully shot. Loved the use of reds and blues especially. Loved the establishing tracking shots of the modern, well kept skyscrapers and buildings throughout (to show the impending white takeover and surveillance of traditionally black neighbourhoods). It's barely subtext at this point but really this movie is about the terror white people feel can come from the bad side of town and all the violent coloured folks that inhabit the area. "whites only come here to cause us a problem" inde
Rated 19 Oct 2021
90
79th
Honestly, this film is such an underrated horror movie. Helen Lyle is such a good protagonist, played wonderfully by Virginia Madsen. Seeing her change as a person throughout the movie was terrifying, yet so damn entertaining. I obviously can't mention how great this movie is without talking about Tony Todd. He plays Candyman to perfection and I can't imagine anyone else filling this role. I try to watch this every Halloween, and I recommend It for any horror fan. I give 9 hook hands out of 10.
Rated 25 Mar 2009
75
54th
As John Sayles did in his 1980 chiller _Alligator_, Rose literalizes an urban fright folktale. He manages to wring parallel lines of tension from Madsen's unstable personal life and the story's grisly supernatural overlay. Rose's blend of the bleakly realistic, epitomized by the projects' detailed squalor (lensed mostly in harsh winter daylight), and the supernatural weaves a genuinely disturbing spell.
Rated 16 Mar 2010
71
28th
While it borrows ideas from Nightmare on Elm Street, and never truly resolves its story, it is still an intriguing horror flick. Too bad the pieces weren't tied together a bit better because this one had potential.
Rated 20 Mar 2007
44
15th
Candyman Candyman Candyman sucks sucks sucks.
Rated 26 Sep 2021
75
83rd
The only thing related to Clive Barker that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. The slow transition from Thriller to Horror is done well, and the slower pacing helps the bloodier moments stand out more. Tony Todd is also iconic as the title character.
Rated 19 Oct 2016
74
54th
Audacious and engrossing. Kind of fizzles near the end.
Rated 08 Sep 2013
75
54th
Phillip Glass provides such a good score and I think it's responsible for this being more than a standard slasher - I mean, much of the horror is of an existential sort - there is gore but it's mostly up to your imagination. I like how the film isn't afraid to look at racism and sexism and liberal approaches to both - but I wish it went further. The film uses it's setting well, I really like the cinematography, and Tony Todd is highly menacing and charming as the villain.
Rated 30 Mar 2007
100
95th
Simply great. Well-crafted, bone-cynical, and bloodchilling
Rated 18 Oct 2019
85
66th
Had low expectations going in, partly because the 90s sucked for horror, and partly because basically all horror movies with the title format [thing]man suck. Was very pleasantly surprised. It's got a bit of a mystery tone to it rather than straight slasher - reminds me of Verbinski's Ring remake. The Phillip Glass score is absolutely fantastic.
Rated 06 Nov 2020
70
50th
Watched this again after about a 20 year gap, and was impressed by the films "adultness" in comparison to most "scream" type slashers. Unlike most slasher movies (and "scooby doo") the baddie is not finally revealed as the "strange bloke upstairs", but is left to your imagination as to whether he is real, supernatural, or 'just' a manifestation of a mentally disturbed ( jealous, wronged?) woman... The dream like sequences of soft focus suggest to ME the later, but that doesnt explain it all.
Rated 17 Oct 2019
3
38th
My god does this movie go so much harder than I expected. Sputters at the end, but has a quite satisfying epilogue. Tony Todd is incredibly commanding.
Rated 22 Oct 2011
30
78th
"The Candyman is a svelte, sexual monument, far removed from the silent brutality of your average serial slasher." - Eric Henderson
Rated 22 Jun 2011
60
15th
This had nothing to do with candy. Severely disappointed.
Rated 25 Jun 2008
86
96th
Very Nice
Rated 08 Jul 2011
79
49th
'Cause the Candyman can, and he does it with a smile.
Rated 25 Dec 2008
70
48th
Not bad, not great.
Rated 26 Apr 2009
60
22nd
!
Rated 25 Oct 2016
65
28th
Interesting horror movie just because it takes place in the projects and it tries to deal with race issues, but I'm left feeling like the story was pointless and also not all that entertaining. But I watched it as a kid, so...
Rated 05 Aug 2010
96
61st
A stylish film based on a short story by Clive Barker. If you're a fan of Clive Barker or Hellraiser, then watch this.
Rated 02 Oct 2019
80
62nd
Candyman mixes the best parts of horror, suspense, and fantasy into a really fun horror movie. The plot is pretty cerebral which is something that I need in the horror movies that I watch. Virginia Madsen's character is cool, inquisitive, and sweet as the movie opens but, as things progress, her character becomes more complex. Xander Berkeley is great as the Candyman. He is scary yet handsome. I liked this better than the first time I watched it.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
76th
Wow, one of the better films of this genre.
Rated 28 Dec 2015
90
92nd
fetiche eterno
Rated 30 Oct 2021
95
91st
A superb, genuinely unsettling and thought provoking horror film is the rare 80s-90s era genre entry made for mature minds, with well developed and likable characters, a chilling villain in Todd, and even taking advantage of the racially based fear of white people engaging with "the projects". Madsen's sturdy and entirely credible performance stays steady amongst the winds and crashes of the plot, which follows its nightmarish dream logic right up to the final scene. Just brilliant.
Rated 08 Mar 2020
67
46th
66.7
Rated 12 Sep 2021
45
23rd
The Candyman has about three-too-many gimmicks.
Rated 18 Feb 2017
40
10th
Never does more than being a standard low-intensity horror flick.
Rated 17 Nov 2007
85
66th
A truly frightening movie, but also beautiful in its own way. The score is absolutely amazing and Virginia Madsen is wonderful. She's way too undervalued these days. A jewel in the horror ouevre.
Rated 25 Sep 2023
82
90th
I did a huge crime and saw the remake first, but this one is just so much better. It's way creepy and has some pretty disturbing parts. There's also a lot of interesting lore happening here with Candyman and the neighborhood that's his domain. The cast does a stellar job here, even with the more annoying characters. Totally did not remember Ted Raimi playing a small role in this one, either. Just good, solid horror, the way it should be done.
Rated 20 Jan 2010
79
89th
Oh man, in terms of psychological impact this was THE horror film of my childhood after being talked about by a friend with far too liberal parents. Actually sitting down to watch it at the age of ten or so blew my mind, though rewatching it in my late teens was underwhelming. Seeing it for a third time a few years ago made me appreciate its dark operatic tone, in fact I might still be underrating it. Fantastic accompanying Philip Glass score.
Rated 23 Oct 2023
80
45th
everyone's talked to death about how much of an icon candy man himself is, but it takes skill to give an average setting like Cabrini green life.
Rated 08 Nov 2018
84
77th
It initially throws out some cheap yet effective jump-scares (courtesy of some cheeky sound mixing), and the horror here is well-produced in the pacing and settings, but isn't too scary and neither is the villain. However, this is an incredibly classy take on an urban legend, with some thoroughly thoughtful back-story and mythos added to the rather bad-ass villain. Madsen also helps with this tone, making her strong performance a serious and believable one, culminating in a memorable climax.
Rated 15 May 2008
85
72nd
Really, pretty awful overall. But there are some cool visuals, like when Virginia Madsen crawls through the wall and comes out of that big drawing of a mouth. And the plinky theme song by Phillip Glass is great.
Rated 01 Nov 2019
67
51st
It's a pretty standard setup for a horror film, but Candyman takes that initial premise and moves in some really unique and interesting directions. I really like the film's blend of psychological and supernatural horror, as well as the urban setting. With that said, I don't think the film is quite as thematically rich/engaging as it seems to try to be. Overall, it's pretty good though.
Rated 25 Aug 2012
62
27th
A pretty cool looking villain, but the plot is just insanely predictable and I barely felt the tention. The last 15 minutes failed to make a good climax. Maybe has some nostalgic power overall.
Rated 07 Jul 2012
92
78th
A thoughtful and strangely beautiful horror story, that's not so much about a supernatural killer as it is about race and the appropriation of cultural narratives.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
81
71st
Somewhere in the second tier of films that will go on to become classic horror movies, but entertaining nonetheless. A great concept executed well, but somewhat marred by the release of a few unnecessary sequels.
Rated 22 Jun 2011
87
27th
I liked it because it was different, the music was great and the casting was perfect. I just didn't quite understand the Candyman.
Rated 08 Apr 2007
73
61st
Decent horror flick.
Rated 28 Jul 2008
86
57th
Very creepy and much better than I expected.
Rated 19 Apr 2024
60
14th
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
23rd
one of the classic horror movies of the 90s. Cheesy, but good.
Rated 19 Oct 2018
97
95th
A
Rated 25 Oct 2012
68
50th
* Casting, Acting : 6 * Script : 7 * Directing, Aura : 6 * Ease of Viewing : 7 * Naked Eye : 8
Rated 04 Dec 2007
65
60th
Philip Glass soundtrack for the win.
Rated 19 Feb 2024
85
94th
Like other Barker adapted material, this really isn't a well polished screenplay, and comes off like an especially disturbing and gruesome 90's B-horror. At the same time, a lot of that content is so affecting and genuinely twisted, and if you're familiar with Barker's usual themes, even just Hellraiser, this seems to me successful in capturing some facet of that darkest horror and dread. The tacky packaging even adds something after that.
Rated 07 Oct 2007
62
27th
Scary start, but then it fizzled. It still took me years to be able to say the words in front of the mirror though.
Rated 19 Aug 2021
84
83rd
Death to academia
Rated 23 Mar 2011
24
16th
Disappointing to go back to this as an adult: scared me witless as a child, embarrassed me as an adult (?). GReat ideas and set pieces. Tony Todd is great however.
Rated 04 Jun 2007
65
24th
I watched it and I thought "Pah! Preposterous." But now, I can't convince myself to say "candyman" in front of a mirror anymore...
Rated 25 Jun 2010
66
23rd
funny
Rated 08 Apr 2021
100
86th
https://esperwatchesfilms.tumblr.com/post/647854766901297153/candyman-1992
Rated 22 Aug 2007
90
95th
Excellent
Rated 04 Mar 2009
20
20th
I hate mirrors.
Rated 10 Aug 2008
84
16th
scared me when i watched it but i was 10....
Rated 08 Oct 2020
72
51st
Very decent horror that lets the surreal nightmare stuff slowly creep into the well-established reality of the movie. I liked mostly how other characters reacted by questioning the sanity of Helen, the protagonist.
Rated 23 Nov 2006
78
82nd
Something different after the 80's slashers.
Rated 28 Oct 2019
73
46th
Weird atmosphere and an unconventional horror setting. Definitely worth a watch.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
66th
One of my favorite and best-made horror/slasher movies. The story is intriguing and the atmosphere and environment in which the movie is set creates such a sense of dread. Highly recommended!
Rated 21 Sep 2021
75
56th
For the most part it's a pretty standard 90s horror movie, with two exceptions: the score (amazing) and the finale (unexpected). Great fun
Rated 26 Aug 2012
80
83rd
Creepy and intense. Well put together and acted. For a movie that was very atmospheric, it had a decent pace to it and it did not use the conventional cheap scares that is usually in horror movies.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
82
90th
Despite two crappy sequels, the original remains a horror staple, with a slow, brooding story that doesn't give up its secrets easily.
Rated 26 Sep 2008
80
65th
Truly scary -- kept me out of dark bathrooms for awhile.
Rated 02 Sep 2021
25
55th
Rated 03 Sep 2021
60
55th
Has some really cool stuff going on, and has some really laughable stuff going on. Unfortunately a lot of the laughable stuff is key moments that kind of stop the movie from being as transcendent as it should be. Nice try, good effort.
Rated 04 Dec 2017
69
49th
I was surprised to find that absolutely nothing supernatural happens until about halfway through the movie. It could have done a lot more, like focused more on the urban legend angle of the story, or focused more on the historical angle of the story, and the Candyman's tragic backstory, maybe even resolving his story, but instead that all just sort of acts as incidental flavor to an otherwise fairly ordinary horror movie.
Rated 28 May 2014
89
72nd
A well acted, beautifully shot and composed story. The movie keeps a lot a mystery and creates more fear for the viewer. Although some details such as Candyman's power were kept to much a mystery which in turn hurt the true motives of the killer. All in all though a solid thriller with some good scares and creepy images.
Rated 06 Nov 2016
79
45th
"Candyman" has a dreamlike quality that is all the more enhanced by Philip Glass's creepy yet beautiful soundtrack. It takes a realistic setting and takes pre-existing legends and brings them to life. The environments are dreary but that's how many projects are in real life. Watch this as a companion piece to the 2012 documentary "The Pruitt-Igoe Myth" and think back on the allusions to urban decay and slavery in this film.
Rated 18 Jun 2012
65
22nd
Mediocre slasher flick is mediocre.
Rated 01 Mar 2009
60
44th
This used to scare me

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