*Photo from: CinecapsDigest.WordPress.com*

As the store shelves are lined with holiday candy for Valentine’s Day, I can’t help but to think of one of my favorite horror films- Candyman- so I ended up watching all four films within a 36-hour period. Re-watching the 1992 version directed by Bernard Rose on Apple TV, I was pleasantly surprised at how well it held up. I was whisked away back to the early 90s when I had just graduated high school and going to the movie theater was a regular outing. Except instead of being with my friends, I was on the couch with my husband 32 years later.

*Photo from: Tamantha and Roni (Frolicking Chronicles) personal photo, c.1991*

Warning! Spoilers ahead!

Candyman (1992)

We meet Helen, a student pursuing her graduate degree by dissecting urban legends focused on Candyman. She is married to a college professor and lives in the Chicago area. The legend is similar to Bloody Mary lore. You have to call his name 5 times in a mirror to summon him. Upon his reflection appearing you end up gutted with his hook hand.

Helen and her friend Bernadette are working on their thesis together. After unsuccessfully trying to summon Candyman, they venture to Cabrini-Green, the housing projects of Chicago where the Candyman urban myth is alive and well and he is believed to have murdered one of the residents. They bravely enter the apartment complex to seek out the location of Ruthie Jean’s murder.

*Photo from: TheBackSeatDriverReviews.com*

(Insert your favorite paranormal investigator in this scene because it positively gives those vibes.) Helen takes photographs throughout the abandoned apartment to document their excursion. She makes a friend with one of the building's youth and the neighbor who has just had a baby. Helen is very daring and has what appears to be NO FEAR. To her blissfulness she has not summoned anything but her curiosity. Her goal is to further explore the belief in scary stories to offset the dismal despair of living in poverty.

Her curiosity gets the better of her and she ventures to Cabrini-Green once again, this time on her own to continue her investigation. To gather more insight she enters a public bathroom on the premises where a boy years ago was castrated. While she is taking photos of this forsaken and beyond disgusting bathroom she is confronted by an in-real-life Candyman. The local crime boss has taken on Candyman’s persona in an ultimate cosplay or larping action play that runs Cabrini-Green. He and his gang proceed to beat her unconscious.

She is rescued and agrees to testify after picking out the guy who beat her. She then convinces the young boy Jake (played by Dejuan Guy) that Candyman is not real. It’s just a scary story. Welp, this is what summons Tony Todd’s character Candyman. She quickly is overcome by Candyman in his supernatural form. His voice is so captivating she easily becomes mesmerized in a deep trance. Honestly, Virginia Madsen is so beautifully stunning in these images against an ethereal music score that it’s hypnotic. (As I’m writing this I have put the Phil Glass Candyman soundtrack on my TV, thank you YouTube. I highly recommend listening.)

Helen is thrust into a battle of the mind or a psychotic breakdown. Is she imagining Candyman or is she experiencing the paranormal?

As her mind is corroding, Ruthie Jean’s neighbor Ann-Marie McCoy’s baby goes missing. In the midst of the missing baby boy, Helen finds herself at home alone trying to recover from her beat down. Candyman appears to her and makes his power known. Bernadette has come over to check in on her bestie. Helen is screaming “GO AWAY!” and Bernadette persists to her own peril. She is murdered by a supernatural force. Of course, he disappears in time for her husband to come home and call the police. Helen now finds herself arrested, uncomfortably stripped, searched, and committed to the psych ward.

Devastated Helen seizes her opportunity to escape and run home because she has had visions of where to find the missing baby. Our suspicions of a cheating college professor husband are confirmed; as Helen enters her home to find his student lover repainting the home pepto pink. Her husband is having regrets and decides to test out Candyman in their bathroom mirror. Karma caught up with him fast as Candyman makes no hesitation and murders him too.

Helen gets herself back to Cabrini-Green to locate the missing baby and lures Candyman to his fiery death as he tells her “It was always you.” in the community bonfire. She saves the baby from the inferno and dies from her severe injuries.

I feel like Helen went through hell during the movie, but she also put herself in many situations no street wise person would. My husband and I both agreed that led to a great example of a “white savior” ending. There was also a bit of a Dracula vibe to it with how the Candyman seduces and puts her in a trance everytime he comes around.

The story encapsulates belief systems and that poverty will thrust you into believing by the power of suggestion. Candyman is host of his own congregation and leads through fear. He is determined to exist by having his followers respect him and his rules for eternity. He will sacrifice the lives of the living to ensure his myth stays alive. Candyman needs believers to exist.

About the Legend and the Franchise

The original story derives from 1985’s “The Forbidden” by British author Clive Barker. He is also the man behind Hellraiser. The story originates in the slums of Liverpool. I recently had a conversation that most movies we know and love come from books.

The Candyman franchise continues to intrigue me. I have long enjoyed the urban grit behind it and the calling for societal justice as seen in the subtle hints in the 2021 version.

I suggest watching Candyman (1992), Candyman (2021), and follow with Candyman: Farewell II Flesh (1995) as it takes place in New Orleans and gives us the origin story. It also gives us insight into our nation's horrid history of classism, slavery, and racism.

Finally, watch Candyman: Day of the Dead (1999) just to say you did. Although Day of the Dead had much promise and we do get to see the legacy live on, the goths put me over, as well as the misogynist overtones. Dia de los Muertos is a beautiful holiday celebrated amongst our Mexican communities. Sadly, we hardly get to experience the true beauty of the holiday and are given a ridiculous minimal glimpse at it.

The 1992 Candyman starring Tony Todd (RIP- he passed away from stomach cancer this past November) has always been a favorite of mine and I was ecstatic to see the newest film that came out in 2021. Until this day, I don’t understand the poor fan reviews. I admit I’ve never been to Chicago but the urban setting is perfect. 84% on Rotten Tomatoes I can live with. A 4.9 out of 10 on IMDB is outrageous. Maybe it was too woke for some, but that is why I positively LOVED IT! Still to be decided- is this a psychological thriller or a slasher film? While we’re still deciding, are you brave enough to say it? Candyman, Candyman, Candyman, Candyman…

Written by Tamantha Bowman

In Memory of Tony Todd (December 4, 1954 - November 6, 2024)

PS- Here’s some fun facts:

- Tony Todd and Virginia Madsen took waltzing and fencing lessons to help create chemistry.

- Virginia Madsen was hypnotized for her scenes when she is in a Candyman trance.

- Philip Glass did the soundtrack.

For more in depth reviews and breakdowns check out the links below:

YouTube Nightgaze

YouTube Yhara Zayd Untangling the Lore of Candyman

YouTube Tananarive Due and St4even Barnes Unwrapping Candyman

YouTube Ice Nine Kills Farewell 11 Flesh

There are many layers to this film and urban legend. I recommend listening to the podcast CBS 48 hrs to really understand the scope and fear that consumed the projects.

candyman, candyman, candyman, candyman…

Candyman (1992)

About the Legend and the Franchise

PS- Here’s some fun facts:

Women Who Did Things

Facing the Darkness Together