Eddy Ray

A stunning, well-crafted sequel and expansion of the Candyman story and lore. By approaching the horror through the lens of generational Black trauma, something entirely more believable and sinister is woven into the hive that is Candyman. Engaging performances, dreamlike cinematography, incredible horror scenes utilizing the Candyman's mirror-restricted appearance, a hypnotizing and haunting score, and a production rich with subtext of gentrification and the fine art community, Nia DaCosta's Candyman follows the first film in honoring strides while pushing the titular character to a contemporary ground that reflects true historical events, the line between cultural horror and trauma, and the necessary antihero to combat the unnecessary violence we've become increasingly desensitized to. Any and all critiques against the message the film is attempting to convey display an incredible lack of empathy and disregard the ugliest truth embedded in the American experience.