Co-writer/director, Nia DaCosta, explains in a new video why audiences should not see the highly anticipated Candyman sequel by themselves. The supernatural slasher franchise is loosely based on the Clive Barker short story, "The Forbidden" from his Books of Blood collection and began with the Bernard Rose-helmed 1992 hit. Though only encompassing three-released films thus far, Tony Todd's portrayal of the titular malevolent spirit is widely considered to be one of the most iconic characters in the horror genre.
Following the critically lambasted third installment, Day of the Dead, the Candyman franchise laid dormant until it was announced in 2018 Jordan Peele would be producing a new film with Monkey Paw Productions partner, Win Rosenfeld, and would co-write the script with Rosenfeld and director DaCosta. Described as a spiritual sequel to the 1992 film, the story centers on an adult Anthony McCoy as he moves back into the Chicago neighborhood of Cabrini Green, a housing project when he lived there as an infant but now a gentrified complex of condos. Looking for a way to revitalize his art, he begins exploring the local Candyman legend, leading him down a path of dark secrets and threatening to unravel his own sanity and unleash an unspeakable evil onto the world.
In honor of Juneteenth, Universal Pictures shared a new video with footage of DaCosta from behind the scenes of Candyman discussing the social importance of the film. In addition, the co-writer/director explains why she believes audiences shouldn't watch the film alone. She says it's better to watch it with others because the film is about community and also simply because it's better to watch "in a room full of people also freaking out." Check out the video below:
Looking back at the original Candyman film, one can find it to be more than a general slasher film as it attempted to explore themes of race and historical memory at a time when few genre films dared to do so. To hear DaCosta's thoughts on the matter and how she channelled it all into the new film are indicative of the right voice bringing this character and franchise back to life. But it's also her comments on why audiences shouldn't choose to watch the film alone that is sure to build anticipation even further for it.
Though seeing a movie in theaters can sometimes necessitate dealing with talkative crowds or crying infants, there's no denying that horror films are some of the best to experience in a theater. The first trailers for Candyman have not only indicated a thoughtful approach to the material, but one that could rival the original in terms of sheer terror. The wait to see how DaCosta, Peele and Rosenfeld bring the franchise back to life is almost over as the film is set to hit theaters on August 27.
Source: Universal Pictures
