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What's After the Movie?
Romantic drama

Candy (2006): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Candy (2006) movie poster

Candy is a 2006 romantic drama directed by Neil Armfield, starring Heath Ledger, Geoffrey Rush and Abbie Cornish. It is based on Candy by Luke Davies. It runs 1 hour 48 minutes and earned $2.1 million worldwide. Critics gave it 57 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.

IMDb rating
7.2/10
worldwide gross
$2.1M
Metascore
57
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Candy (2006) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 48m (108 min)
Director
Neil Armfield
Genres
Drama , Romance
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Candy About?

The premise of Candy without spoilers, adapted from Candy by Luke Davies. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A poet's intense connection with an art student from a more traditional background leads to a devastating cycle of addiction and self-destruction. Fueled by heroin, their passionate relationship alternates between moments of intense joy and profound despair, as they struggle with dependence and the blurring of boundaries between love and addiction. The experience ultimately triggers a downward spiral with tragic consequences.

Candy Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • heroin
  • drug addict
  • prostitute
  • sex in a car
  • brothel
  • honey
  • sex for money
  • pregnant wife
  • prostitution
  • undressing
  • nervous breakdown
  • female nudity
+38 more
  • drug addiction
  • heroin detox
  • drug dealer
  • title spoken by character
  • drug abuse
  • frozen meat
  • ecstasy the drug
  • intoxication
  • writing on a wall
  • drug withdrawal
  • marijuana
  • watching tv
  • forename as title
  • sex in the back seat of a car
  • girl wears a bra and panties
  • man wears underwear
  • man wears a thong
  • overdose
  • blonde
  • organic chemistry
  • labor pains
  • man's death
  • eviction threat
  • nodding off
  • argument
  • head laceration
  • sex scene
  • stolen wallet
  • wedding ceremony
  • poet
  • associate professor
  • borrowing money
  • slow motion scene
  • manufacturing heroin
  • pin number
  • woman undresses
  • australia
  • heroin addiction
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Cast & crew

Candy Cast

Heath Ledger leads the cast, with Geoffrey Rush and Abbie Cornish. Directed by Neil Armfield.

From the director

More from Neil Armfield

More films directed by Neil Armfield: Holding the Man and Keating! The Musical.

Full filmography
Ratings

Candy Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Candy 57 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.

Plot

Candy Plot Summary

What happens in Candy from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Candy is a stunning young woman brimming with potential who becomes entranced by the charismatic, aspiring poet, Dan. His beatnik lifestyle, which includes a heavy dependence on drugs, initially captivates her. However, their infatuation soon spirals into a turbulent world of addiction. What begins as lighthearted indulgence quickly descends into relentless pain and despair.

As the story unfolds, Dan showcases his skills as a con man, employing a credit card scheme that provides a steady—but ultimately fleeting—income. When their luck eventually falters, desperation drives them to lie, steal, and exploit Candy’s family for funds. Their descent into a harrowing heroin addiction leads to a devastating cycle of prostitution, humiliation, and withdrawal.

Full summary

The whole story of Candy, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Candy Box Office

Candy grossed $2.1 million worldwide. $45,128 came from the US and Canada and $2.1 million (98%) from the rest of the world.

2006 box office

Worldwide gross

$2.1M

US & Canada
$45.1K
International
$2.1M
US & Canada 2% Rest of the world 98%
Videos

Candy Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Candy.

Candy - Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Candy?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the primary distraction that captivates Candy in her relationship with Dan?

Cars

Cars in Candy

10 cars on screen, including the 1971 Ford Fairlane and the 1981 Toyota Cressida.

All 10 cars
  • 1971 Ford Fairlane in Candy 1971 Ford Fairlane Important role
  • 1981 Toyota Cressida in Candy 1981 Toyota Cressida Important role
  • 1977 Ford F-Series in Candy 1977 Ford F-Series Minor role
  • 1989 Toyota Camry in Candy 1989 Toyota Camry Minor role
Details

Candy Also Known As

14 alternative titles, including “Candy - OZ” and “캔디”.

Also known as
  • Candy - OZ
  • 캔디
  • 愛糖針
  • Paradiso+Inferno
  • Candy - Reise der Engel
  • Cukiereczek
  • Кэнди
  • 糖果
  • קנדי
  • Кенди
  • Kendė
  • Кенді, ქენდი
+2 more
  • キャンディ
  • 愛‧糖針

Seen Candy?

FAQ

Candy FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of Candy, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Candy?

Candy runs 1 hour 48 minutes (108 minutes).

When was Candy released?

Candy was released on November 17, 2006.

Who directed Candy?

Candy was directed by Neil Armfield.

More films by Neil Armfield

Who is in the cast of Candy?

Candy stars Heath Ledger, Geoffrey Rush and Abbie Cornish.

How much did Candy make at the box office?

Candy grossed $2.1 million worldwide ($45,128 domestic, $2.1 million international).

How is Candy rated?

Candy has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 57 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.

Is Candy based on a book?

Yes. Candy is adapted from Candy by Luke Davies.

Does Candy have a post-credit scene?

No. Candy has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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