61
Metascore
15 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 100EmpireAdam SmithEmpireAdam SmithAt its heart, Candyman terrifies because of its ideas. It sinks its horrific foundations very much in the real world of poverty and racial alienation.
- 80Time OutTime OutFollowing up on Paperhouse, Rose stages the suspense and horror with skill and panache, making this one of the best sustained horror movies for some years.
- 80The Hollywood ReporterMichael RechtshaffenThe Hollywood ReporterMichael RechtshaffenThere's a new bogeyman in town, and he makes all other pretenders to the terror throne look like a bunch of cuddly Disney characters.
- 75TV Guide MagazineTV Guide MagazineThe acting here is first-rate, with Madsen turning in a forceful performance as the confused but resilient heroine. And special mention must be made of Philip Glass's superlative score, which combines synthesizers, piano, and chorus to haunting effect.
- 75Slant MagazineEric HendersonSlant MagazineEric HendersonRose’s dizzy, Jungle Fever-ish romanticism is juxtaposed against his cold, Cronenbergian dystopia to create Candyman‘s uniquely baroque use of modern urban blight, subtle political undercurrents, and hints of fallen woman melodrama. It creates a startlingly effective shocker that gains power upon further, sleepless-night reflection.
- 75Chicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertChicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertWhat I liked was a horror movie that was scaring me with ideas and gore, instead of simply with gore.
- 60Washington PostRichard HarringtonWashington PostRichard HarringtonMadsen is a much better actress than is usually found in such a role. However, if you don't like splashes of blood or bees swarming out of bodies, you may want to think twice about this one.
- 50Chicago ReaderJonathan RosenbaumChicago ReaderJonathan RosenbaumLike so many post-Val Lewton horror films, this 1992 feature starts out promisingly while the plot is mainly a matter of suggestion, but gradually turns gross and obvious as the meanings become literal and unambiguous.
- 40Austin ChronicleMarc SavlovAustin ChronicleMarc SavlovDirector Rose seems not to know what to show next, and whether this is in an effort to keep his audience guessing or not, it only ends up making what could have been an exceptionally disturbing film exceptionally annoying.