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Horror film

Kandisha (2021): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Kandisha (2021) movie poster

Kandisha is a 2021 horror film directed by Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury, starring Mériem Sarolie as Kandisha, Mathilde Lamusse and Suzy Bemba. It runs 1 hour 25 minutes and earned $472,092 worldwide on a $3.3 million budget. Critics gave it 79% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10.

IMDb rating
5.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
79%
worldwide gross
$472.1K
Echo Score
45
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Kandisha (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 25m (85 min)
Genre
Horror
Original language
French
Studio
Shudder
Budget
$3.3M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Kandisha About?

The premise of Kandisha without spoilers.

During a sweltering summer, three friends, Amélie, Bintou, and Morjana, share a fascination with local legends and scary stories. After Amélie experiences a traumatic event, she unknowingly triggers an ancient and vengeful curse. The malevolent spirit, Kandisha, unleashes her fury upon the community, and the friends must find a way to stop her before the devastating cycle claims more victims.

Kandisha Themes & Keywords

· 36 tags
  • genie
  • spirit
  • demon
  • muscled man
  • overalls
  • french horror
  • grindhouse film
  • european horror
  • based on legend
  • death of ex boyfriend
  • evil spirit
  • evil entity
+24 more
  • supernatural horror
  • female friendship
  • graffiti
  • murder of ex boyfriend
  • animal sacrifice
  • pet rabbit
  • brother sister relationship
  • two directors
  • ritual
  • teenage girl
  • friendship between girls
  • interracial friendship
  • older sister younger brother relationship
  • bloody violence
  • gore
  • murder of father
  • title appears in writing
  • drawing with blood
  • female demon
  • friend
  • death of father
  • title spoken by character
  • one word title
  • character name as title
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Cast & crew

Kandisha Cast & Characters

Mériem Sarolie leads the cast as Kandisha, with Mathilde Lamusse as Amélie and Suzy Bemba as Bintou. Directed by Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the directors

More from Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury

More films directed by Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury, best-rated first: ABCs of Death 2, Leatherface, The Deep House and The Soul Eater.

Ratings

Kandisha Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Kandisha 79% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 45/100, strongest in sensory experience (60) and weakest in story & flow (30).

45 /100

Kandisha Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Kandisha registers a mixed to negative reception, landing at a modest score. Critics acknowledge moments of effective horror and striking visual design, yet repeatedly cite weak narrative cohesion and under‑developed performances. User feedback aligns, emphasizing disjointed editing, a thin plot, and subpar acting. While the film’s sensory strikes and occasional rewatch appeal provide modest uplift, the dominant flaws keep the overall impression below average.

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

  • Art & Craft 45

    Artistic execution in Kandisha receives a middling appraisal. Critics highlight the film’s effective interior set pieces and occasional striking creature design, yet note inconsistent cinematographic flair and editing lapses that disrupt momentum. User comments specifically call out weak editing and substandard visual effects, diluting the impact of otherwise compelling horror set‑pieces. Consequently, the film’s craft sits between competent and flawed.

  • Character & Emotion 35

    Character work in the film is widely regarded as a weakness. Critics observe a lack of commitment from the principal trio, resulting in shallow emotional engagement, while users describe performances as poor and occasionally unintentionally humorous. The monster’s presence is praised, yet human protagonists fail to convey depth or chemistry, leaving the dramatic core under‑developed. Overall, the character dimension detracts from the film’s intended tension.

  • Story & Flow 30

    Storytelling in Kandisha is generally perceived as uneven and derivative. Critics point to a thin, clichéd plot that recycles familiar horror tropes, while users lament incoherent scriptwriting, predictable pacing, and a lack of investigative depth. Although the climax receives occasional praise for its visceral impact, the preceding narrative offers little originality or sustained tension, resulting in a predominantly unsatisfying viewing experience.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    The film’s sensory elements receive a mixed but slightly positive appraisal. Critics commend the effective interior design, striking creature visuals, and moments of formidable scare that heighten atmospheric tension. Conversely, users note subpar visual effects and inconsistent sound design that undermine immersion. While the auditory and visual cues succeed sporadically, overall sensory cohesion fluctuates, delivering occasional thrills amid technical shortcomings.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    Rewatch potential is modest, reflecting both the film’s visceral moments and its narrative redundancies. Positive commentary highlights the memorable monster design and a particularly impactful climax, suggesting occasional repeat viewings for horror enthusiasts. However, critics and users alike cite sluggish pacing, formulaic structure, and uneven execution as deterrents to frequent returns. Consequently, the film offers limited lasting appeal beyond niche fan interest.

Box office

Kandisha Box Office & Budget

Kandisha grossed $472,092 worldwide on a $3.3 million budget, 14% of what it cost.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$472.1K

14% of its budget back

International
$472.1K
Budget
$3.3M
Videos

Kandisha Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Kandisha.

Kandisha | Official Trailer | Horror Brains
Cars

Cars in Kandisha

11 cars on screen, including the 2012 Renault Grand Scénic and the Volvo unknown.

All 11 cars
  • 2012 Renault Grand Scénic in Kandisha 2012 Renault Grand Scénic Minor role
  • Volvo unknown in Kandisha Volvo unknown Minor role
  • 2007 Citroën Grand C4 Picasso in Kandisha 2007 Citroën Grand C4 Picasso Background role
  • 2011 Land-Rover Range Rover Evoque in Kandisha 2011 Land-Rover Range Rover Evoque Background role

Seen Kandisha?

FAQ

Kandisha FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Kandisha?

Kandisha runs 1 hour 25 minutes (85 minutes).

When was Kandisha released?

Kandisha was released on July 22, 2021.

Who directed Kandisha?

Kandisha was directed by Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury.

More films by Alexandre Bustillo

Who is in the cast of Kandisha?

Kandisha stars Mériem Sarolie as Kandisha, Mathilde Lamusse as Amélie and Suzy Bemba as Bintou, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Kandisha make at the box office?

Kandisha grossed $472,092 worldwide on a budget of $3.3 million.

How is Kandisha rated?

Kandisha has 5.4/10 on IMDb, 79% on Rotten Tomatoes, 59 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Does Kandisha have a post-credit scene?

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

What language is Kandisha in?

The original language of Kandisha is French.

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