Sweets to the Sweet: Candyman

I thought that the Cabrini Green residents propagated his myth to the extent that Candyman was actualized. He mentions something about living in rumour and the "Be my victim" part seemed to suggest that Candyman wanted to make more headlines in order to keep the residents afraid (actually this is starting to sound like Freddy vs Jason!)

Maybe I took it too literally but i thought that the whisperings, rumours and gossip were what gave him life. If I remember, this is the case in the short story on which this is based. I like your analysis though.

I loved this film when it came out. I still enjoy it. It was one of the best horror movies of the 90s.

I believe it is presented in film that Candyman lived through peoples belief in him. Through the myths. While I see what you mean about Helen possibly creating Candyman to cover for the murders. I feel that the deaths in the movie could not have been commited by someone of her strength with the weapon she had been shown with, a knife. These people were ripped open with a hook by someone of considerable strength. So I think for the films purposes Candyman was a real entity. Helen was someone Candyman was infatuated with, perhaps reminding him of his past love. He wanted her to join him in his legend rather than be a victim of it. Thats my take.

Much like Gods in Neil Gaiman stories, Candyman lives and draws power from belief. Problem is, Helen has found the explanation for the original murders that created the Candyman myth. Her paper threatens to destroy Candyman by "proving" to the world (and mostly the city and the Cabrini Green residents) that it was just a legend. The original killers passed through the medecine cabinets. Very logical and believable.

So, explanation is published, Cabrini Green residents stop believing and Candyman dies. How can he rectify this? By making the person who was to expose the truth part of the legend. By making her believe and by making her part of the murders. This way, not only does she become part of the myth but also she strengthens it. The one person who was going to destroy him becomes his greatest victim. No one would ever try to debunk Candyman after that and he would be feared more than ever.

But Candyman's plan backfires when Helen tries to save the baby. Because when the kid "sees" Candyman go into the pyre, the residents set fire to it. This way, they believe they killed Candyman. Because belief is what fuels him, he dies.

The ending. To the outside world, Helen is a murderer who suffered from mental illness. But to the residents of Cabrini Green, Helen saved the baby. She's a hero to them. This is illustrated when they file in front of Helen's casket to pay their respects. So why does she come back like Candyman? Because the outside world and mostly the people who were close to her believe she was a psychopath. So she essentialy becomes the new Candyman. It was always you Helen.

Candyman is probably my favorite horror movie. Great direction by Bernard Rose and one of my favorite film score (by Philip Glass). I remember when I was a kid, I used to be scared just by those aerial shots of the city with piano playing. Virgina Madsen and Tony Todd are great in this. I loved it as a kid but I think it's a great adult horror film.

That's a terrific dissection of the film, The Alexor.

One of my favorite horror movies. The weird thing is that I've watched it fewer times than other films I like less because it still gets to me. The feeling of dread that hangs over this movie and the sense you get of the inevitability of the outcome, really depress me.

Being a huge fan of Clive Barker doesn't hurt either.

Thank you.

It is a great little film. One of the things I liked was the way the villain was not merely horrific, but also somewhat mesmeric and even seductive... it gave the whole thing quite a different bent.
Of course, the director also did Paperhouse, which is one of my favourite (horror-ish) films, so I am a little biased in his favour.

True. Candyman has a very unique feel for a horror flick. The romance does not lessen the scares, and the wrap-up doesn't bring it to a grinding halt either. Great acting from Tony Todd and Virginia Madsen . Too bad Bernard Rose didn't stay in horror.