Candyman (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 31m (91 min)
- Director
- Nia DaCosta
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Universal Pictures
- Budget
- $25M
- After the credits
- Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
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 Show fewer
- 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
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.
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Director Nia DaCosta
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Vanessa Williams as Anne-Marie McCoy -
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Anthony McCoy -
Teyonah Parris as Brianna Cartwright -
Nathan Stewart-Jarrett as Troy Cartwright
Also Starring in Candyman
· 13 more- Colman Domingo William Burke
- Tony Todd
- Rebecca Spence Finley Stephens
- Brian King Clive Privler
- Carl Clemons-Hopkins Jameson
- Cassie Kramer
- Kyle Kaminsky Grady Greenberg
- Avery Moss
- Malic White Boof
- Aaron Crippen
- Miriam Moss Jerrica Cooper
- Nadia Simms
- Dan Fierro
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).
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.
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IMDb 5.9 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 84% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 72%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 72 Metascore
User score 4.9
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 60% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.1 /5
227 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.4 /5
See on Movie Insider
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
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.
Worldwide gross
$77.4M
3.1× its budget
- US & Canada
- $61.2M
- International
- $16.2M
- Budget
- $25M
Candyman Trailers & Videos
9 videos: 3 trailers, 1 teaser and 5 clips.
- Trailer Official UK Trailer
- Trailer Official Trailer 2
- Teaser In Theaters September (A Story Like That)
- Clip Who Is Candyman? In 4K HDR
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the protagonist struggling with a creative dry spell in Candyman?
Cars in Candyman
16 cars on screen, including the 1974 Chevrolet Bel Air and the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV.
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1974 Chevrolet Bel Air Minor role -
2007 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV Minor role -
2013 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Minor role -
1971 Buick Skylark Background role
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 Show fewer
- 糖果人
- קנדימן
- 캔디맨
- แคนดี้แมน
- Sát Nhân Trong Gương
- Bitininkas
- Kendimens, ქენდიმენი
Seen Candyman?
Movies Like Candyman
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Candyman, Candyman: Day of the Dead and Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh.
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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