Candyman (1992) Review

Candyman (1992) Review

Author: Horror Movie Talk: Horror Movie Review June 10, 2020 Duration: 1:54:34

Candyman 2020 was supposed to be coming out in theaters this week, but that obviously isn’t happening. To tide over your sweet tooth for Candyman, we’ll be reviewing the original this week. Also in this week’s episode of Horror Movie Talk, we discuss our new logo, play a new game, and read comments from social media from listeners like you.

Candyman 1992 Review Featured Image
@dgoebel00 on Instagram provided this amazing artwork. Follow him.

Synopsis

The film follows grad student Helen Lyle as she researches for her thesis on urban legends. When she stumbles across the legend of Candyman, whose story seems to be alive and thriving in the poverty stricken projects of Chicago. The legend involves an African American, Bloody Mary-eque apparition that appears when his name is called in front of a mirror. Instead of the three “Bloody Mary’s”, you must say Candyman five times, in some sort of supernatural 3/5ths compromise.

When the skeptical Helen calls Candyman five times in her mirror, she seals her fate and is led through a terrifying journey to discover the reality of the film’ boogey man.

https://youtu.be/CeLZMhkFTuU
Candyman 1992 Trailer

Review of Candyman (1992)

Candyman is impactful, and multifaceted. Tony Todd is an instant icon in horror with his unique silhouette and hypnotic disembodied baritone voice. 

Candyman movie poster

There is an uneasy balance between Candyman being a sympathetic and seductive figure, and that of being the realization of some deep seated racist fears. While watching this, my wife pointed out that some of the racist connotations of the plot, and my knee jerk reaction was to defend the film and say she was grasping at straws.

But as time went on… there was actually a compelling argument to be made for it relying on long held racist stereotypes about the dangers of black men.

Regardless, it’s a compelling gothic horror tale told well with the backdrop of nineties urban Chicago. Candyman is an iconic monster, and is one of the best horror movies on the topic of an urban legend.

Watch Candyman Now

Watch on Amazon

Score

8/10

Final Recommendations

This is definitely a nineites horror movie that is worth seeing. While it’s not perfect, it does create a great mythology and monster in Candyman.

Mentioned in the Episode

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmHEv7pmB-g

There's a particular kind of conversation that happens after the credits roll on a scary movie, when you're dissecting the jump scares and debating the monster's motives. Horror Movie Talk captures that exact feeling, serving up weekly discussions that are as much about the genuine love of the genre as they are about critique. Hosted by a team whose passion is palpable, this podcast delves into everything from the latest chilling release haunting theaters to those hidden gems-or notorious flops-you can find on streaming services. The analysis is sharp and deeply opinionated, but the chemistry between the hosts often leads the conversation into unexpectedly funny territory. It’s this blend of thoughtful review and spontaneous humor that defines the show. You'll hear passionate debates about cinematic technique, nods to classic influences, and honest reactions to whether a film truly delivers the scares. Tuning in each Wednesday feels like pulling up a chair with friends who’ve just seen the same movie, armed with strong opinions and a willingness to laugh at the absurdities that make horror so enduring. For anyone who lives for that post-viewing breakdown, this is a consistently engaging listen.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 464

Horror Movie Talk
Podcast Episodes
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:34:10
We watched the wildly popular and controversial new film on Netflix, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and were shocked by the amount of home renovation involved in this iteration of the classic slasher franchise. @dgoebel00 on I…
Drag Me To Hell Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:58
Drag Me To Hell brings Sam Raimi back to what he does best. Over the top, tongue in cheek horror. If you haven’t seen this one, you should. Synopsis Drag Me To Hell, Directed by Sami Raimi, and starring Alison Lohman and…
13 Ghosts Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:28
We watched 13 Ghosts on HBOMAX and it was exactly what I thought it would be, which is Ghost Ship meets Event Horizon with a side order of Wrong Turn. @dgoebel00 on Instagram provided this amazing artwork. Follow him and…
The Silence of the Lambs Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:54:52
The Silence of the Lambs is known and memed today, over 30 years after it’s release. There is a reason for that, it’s one of the best movies ever made. Synopsis The Silence of the Lambs stars Jodie Foster as Clarice Star…
Scream (2022) Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:38:33
We went and saw Scream and it was pretty much exactly what I figured it would be. @dgoebel00 on Instagram provided this amazing artwork. Follow him and check out his website. https://youtu.be/-TfkyBWEoWY Synopsis Scream…
Hostel Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:23:31
This hostel is so… hostile! This week we review Hostel, Eli Roth’s torture-porn masterpiece. Synopsis College school student Josh is a good student and nice guy – albeit a little predictable. He is unceremoniously dumped…
Dawn of the Dead (2004) Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:33
We watched Dawn of the Dead (2004) on Amazon because our Patrons told us to and I was not disappointed in the least. https://youtu.be/j69OPw9nFHw Synopsis A nurse, policeman, young married couple, and a salesman walks in…
The Babadook Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:47
Babadook…dook…dook! Artwork by Dustin Goebel (follow @dgoebel00 on instagram) Synopsis The Babadook is writer/director Jennifer Kent’s film debut, and she comes out of the gate strong. The film is about a single mother A…
Best and Worst Horror Movies of 2021: The Talkies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:35:35
This week we are having a different kind of show. This show we are looking back at the delightsome year that was 2021, and awarding the best and worst of Horror Movie Talk. @dgoebel00 on Instagram provided this amazing a…
The Mist Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:44:27
Something in The Mist! This week our patrons picked The Mist for us to review. It was my first viewing, and even having had the ending spoiled, this one still holds up after over a decade. Artwork by Dustin Goebel (follo…