Candyman (2021) review

Nia DaCosta shows a strong command of atmosphere. The film builds tension through sound design, silence, and carefully timed scares rather than relying purely on shock. The use of prosthetics also adds a tactile quality to the horror, grounding it in something physical and unsettling instead of feeling overly digital. The themes are solid and meaningful, especially in how the film explores the Black experience in society, generational trauma, and how violence and fear are inherited and repeated. However, the messaging is very subtle. It doesn’t announce itself outright, which made it harder for me to fully grasp everything on first viewing. The ideas are there, but they unfold quietly, almost in the background of the horror. Overall, the craft is okay, even if the thematic weight takes time to fully register. It’s a film that feels likely to benefit from rewatching once the subtext becomes clearer.