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Horror thriller

Candyman (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Candyman (2021) movie poster

Candyman is a 2021 horror thriller directed by Nia DaCosta, starring Vanessa Williams as Anne-Marie McCoy, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Teyonah Parris. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes and earned $77.4 million worldwide on a $25 million budget. Critics gave it 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10.

IMDb rating
5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
84%
worldwide gross
$77.4M
Echo Score
59
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Candyman (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 31m (91 min)
Director
Nia DaCosta
Genres
Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
Budget
$25M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Candyman About?

The premise of Candyman without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

While gentrification transforms Chicago's Cabrini Green, a disturbing legend persists. Visual artist Anthony McCoy investigates the urban myth of Candyman, unaware that his research will summon the vengeful spirit. As he delves deeper into the story, Anthony unwittingly triggers a terrifying wave of violence and supernatural occurrences, putting himself and those around him in grave danger.

Candyman Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • slasher killer
  • african american
  • bee
  • hook
  • based on urban legend
  • hook for a hand
  • swarm of bees
  • chicago illinois
  • art exhibition
  • mirror
  • bee sting
  • summoning
+38 more
  • gay brother
  • laundromat
  • derelict building
  • abandoned building
  • hole in a wall
  • vengeful ghost
  • murdered by an invisible man
  • horror icon
  • killer
  • slasher
  • character name as title
  • bloody violence
  • urban legend
  • different face in mirror
  • urban decay
  • housing project
  • history repeats itself
  • murder
  • candy
  • razor blade in candy
  • necrotic skin tissue
  • candyman character
  • summoning ritual
  • summoning a spirit
  • repeating a name
  • oral history
  • painting
  • art gallery
  • artist
  • painter
  • gentrification
  • folklore
  • father commits suicide
  • abandoned church
  • looking at oneself in a mirror
  • breaking a mirror
  • waking up from a nightmare
  • repeating a word
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Cast & crew

Candyman Cast & Characters

Vanessa Williams leads the cast as Anne-Marie McCoy, with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Anthony McCoy and Teyonah Parris as Brianna Cartwright. Directed by Nia DaCosta; 17 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Candyman Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Candyman 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 59/100, strongest in art & craft (72) and weakest in story & flow (44).

59 /100

Candyman Echo Score Breakdown

Candyman delivers a visually stylish horror experience that resonates with contemporary themes, yet its narrative cohesion suffers under heavy sociopolitical emphasis. Critics note the film's artful direction and effective scares, while many viewers criticize the story and character development as forced and uneven. The mixed reception yields a moderate overall impression, balancing commendable craftsmanship against a perception of narrative compromise.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 72

    In terms of visual craftsmanship, the film showcases a highly stylized aesthetic and strong cinematography, earning praise for its atmospheric composition. Critics highlight DaCosta's direction and the striking color palette, while some note a tonal inconsistency. The overall artistic execution is considered solid, though not uniformly flawless.

  • Character & Emotion 58

    When it comes to character depth, performances receive mixed feedback; lead actors are lauded for nuance, yet supporting roles are viewed as underutilized or flat. Critics acknowledge resonant moments, whereas several viewers find the characters lacking emotional weight. The net impression is moderate, reflecting both effective acting and noticeable shortcomings.

  • Story & Flow 44

    Regarding narrative cohesion, the plot is described as confused and heavy-handed by several commentators. While some critics appreciate thematic ambition, many users criticize the story as forced and overly political, diminishing suspense. The pacing and originality receive varied remarks, resulting in a lower overall assessment of the film's storytelling.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    The sensory experience, including sound design and visual styling, garners largely positive remarks. Unsettling imagery, effective scares, and a compelling score are cited by critics, and viewers note impressive cinematography. Though a few find the horror elements less intense, the sensory components are generally regarded as a strong facet of the film.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    In the realm of rewatch value, opinions diverge sharply. Some critics suggest the film offers thought‑provoking layers that reward repeat viewings, while many users dismiss it as a one‑time political statement lacking lasting appeal. The balance of these perspectives yields a middling rewatch factor, reflecting both potential depth and perceived fatigue.

Plot

Candyman Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Candyman from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Anthony McCoy, portrayed by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, is a visual artist based in Chicago, living with his girlfriend, Brianna Cartwright, played by Teyonah Parris. One evening, Brianna’s brother, Troy, recounts the chilling urban legend of Helen Lyle, a white graduate student notorious for her killing spree in the early ’90s, which culminated in a tragic incident involving a bonfire at the Cabrini-Green projects. It is said that she attempted to sacrifice an infant, but the community saved the child from Helen before she perished in the flames, taking her own life in the horrifying act.

Full summary

The whole story of Candyman, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Candyman Box Office & Budget

Candyman grossed $77.4 million worldwide on a $25 million budget, 3.1 times what it cost. $61.2 million came from the US and Canada and $16.2 million (21%) from the rest of the world.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$77.4M

3.1× its budget

US & Canada
$61.2M
International
$16.2M
Budget
$25M
US & Canada 79% Rest of the world 21%
Videos

Candyman Trailers & Videos

9 videos: 3 trailers, 1 teaser and 5 clips.

All 9 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official UK Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer 2
  • Teaser In Theaters September (A Story Like That)
  • Clip Who Is Candyman? In 4K HDR
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Candyman?

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

Who is the protagonist struggling with a creative dry spell in Candyman?

Cars

Cars in Candyman

16 cars on screen, including the 1974 Chevrolet Bel Air and the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV.

All 16 cars
  • 1974 Chevrolet Bel Air in Candyman 1974 Chevrolet Bel Air Minor role
  • 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV in Candyman 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV Minor role
  • 2013 Ford Police Interceptor Utility in Candyman 2013 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Minor role
  • 1971 Buick Skylark in Candyman 1971 Buick Skylark Background role
Details

Candyman Also Known As

19 alternative titles, including “Candyman 4” and “Кендімен 4”.

Also known as
  • Candyman 4
  • Кендімен 4
  • Şeker Adam
  • A Lenda de Candyman
  • 糖魔怪客
  • Candyman : Le Spectre maléfique
  • Kampókéz
  • Кэндимен
  • Кендимен
  • Şeker Adam'ın Laneti
  • Кендімен
  • キャンディマン
+7 more
  • 糖果人
  • קנדימן
  • 캔디맨
  • แคนดี้แมน
  • Sát Nhân Trong Gương
  • Bitininkas
  • Kendimens, ქენდიმენი

Seen Candyman?

FAQ

Candyman FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Candyman, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Candyman?

Candyman runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).

When was Candyman released?

Candyman was released on August 27, 2021.

Who directed Candyman?

Candyman was directed by Nia DaCosta.

More films by Nia DaCosta

Who is in the cast of Candyman?

Candyman stars Vanessa Williams as Anne-Marie McCoy, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Anthony McCoy and Teyonah Parris as Brianna Cartwright, among 17 credited actors.

How much did Candyman make at the box office?

Candyman grossed $77.4 million worldwide ($61.2 million domestic, $16.2 million international) on a budget of $25 million.

How is Candyman rated?

Candyman has 5.9/10 on IMDb, 84% on Rotten Tomatoes, 72 on Metacritic and 60% on TMDB.

Does Candyman have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Candyman has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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