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Candyman 2021

What an insane sequel to the original Candyman! Anthony, an up-and-coming artist, uncovers the legend of Candyman. Willam, a resident of Cabrini-Green, tells a story of what he encountered decades ago when he was only a boy—one afternoon, he went to do laundry when a mysterious hooked man climbed out of a hole in the wall and offered Willam candy. Willam shrieks in fear, and the police rush in, killing the man. However, it is later revealed he was not Candyman, as razors in candy continued to appear after his death. This story highlights the error in law enforcement systems, as they pretend to care about an underprivileged community; they sit in police cars, watching and waiting to shoot without any hesitation. The police cars did not surround Cabrini-Green because they cared for the residents; in reality, they did that because they cared for society outside of Cabrini-Green. It is a cruel system keeping the underprivileged in, failing them in all aspects of life!

William remembers this incident and uses Anthony as a vessel for the resurrection of Candyman, as Anthony was the lost baby who escaped his wrath decades ago. It was discovered that there were various Candyman’s, each enduring a gruesome death. William formulates a scheme to avenge Candyman and use Anthony as a martyr. Once speaking with Willam, Anothony returns home and repeats “Candyman” five times into the mirror, sealing his faith. It is interesting how Anthony was not murdered instantly like the other victims of the Candyman. 

Why did William want Candyman to rise again? This question rattles my mind. Candyman was a killer, murderer, and taunter. William tells Anthony, “They love what we make but not us.” The Cabrini–Green’s projects are neglected and underserved, and rather than help them, they leave them to dry. The film ends with Candyman murdering all the police officers who killed him, yet he lets Brianna live. Then, the original Candyman overtakes Anthony’s body and tells Brianna to “Tell Everyone.”  Candyman transforms, taking on a new role as a protector of the community, killing those who are deceitful. He, a white-eyed, one-armed man swarmed with bees, symbolizes the hurt of the African American community. He wants to “Tell Everyone” that he is back, and back for good. He is resurrected as a protector rather than hurting his community, as in the initial flim. Also, it was compelling how, in this flim, Candyman is never shown hurting/killing any African American individual. 

The film explores the theme of lingering racial trauma in black communities and the systemic racism that allows white supremacy to rise while keeping  African Americans silent. Two specific instances resonated with me. Firstly, Anthony displays this work at the gallery, which ties significantly to his background and identity. Yet, a white art critic devalues his art and merely dismisses it as a lack of talent. Yet, following his sudden fame, her interpretation shifts; she now glorifies and praises his work. Her deception and lies now conceal her racism. Secondly, At the end of the film, the police arrive and murder Candyman while he lies there in Brianna's arms. Brianna is then arrested by a white police officer who threatens to blame her for his death, imprisoning her for life unless she corroborates their factious chain of events. This depicts how present police brutality is in society and how power is extorted to their benefit. 

Candyman 2021 took a different take when comparing it to the 1992 version. I enjoyed the initial flim more. The sequel was hard to follow, and I needed clarification on the film's ending. Therefore, I rewatched the last 20 minutes twice for better analysis and interpretation. Anthony is tied up, and William is in sort of a psychotic state when, suddenly, he shoves a hook into Anothony's arm and dresses him as the “Candyman!”  Totally shocking and complex! I still believe there are so many hidden meanings and interpretations that I have not yet understood, as the flim was so dynamic.

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CandyMan 1992

"Candyman, Candyman, Candyman, Candyman, wait, or shall I say "Helen"... I am just in utter awe of this movie; it is mind-twisting! The legend of Candyman is that he was the son of a slave, but he became very wealthy and was a part of high society. A white man commissioned him to paint a portrait of his daughter; however, the two fell madly in love, and she became pregnant. When her father found out, he planned a lynching of Candyman at Cabrini-Green, where his right hand was sawn off, and thousands of bees attacked him. Candyman, a hooked mythical figure, now haunts Cabrini-Green, appearing behind you when his name is repeated five times in the mirror. 

This legend captivates the attention of two graduate students, Helen and Bernadine. While studying the archives, they realize that Helen's apartment has the same building makeup as those of his victims. To prove the foolishness of his tale, Helen mocks him, reciting "Candyman" into her mirror precisely five times. Unsuspectingly, his presence seeped into her reality, capturing her mind, spirit, and entire reality. Helen is taunted by Candyman, who intrudes on her mind and makes her hysterical. He sings, "Be my victim, believe in me" to Helen. Yet, Helen mentally fights him off, unsure about his existence. Offended and frustrated by her refusal to believe, which would allow him to take her life, he tortures her until she finally accepts him. 

 In Candy Man's first act of torture, he transports Helen into the home of Anne Marie, a woman who fears Candy Man. Helen wakes up on the bathroom floor covered in blood and walks outside into the living room to see a butcher knife, the head cut off by Anne Marie's dog, and Anne Marie crying over her baby crate, yearning for her missing baby.  In his second act, Candy Man enters the apartment, where he appears behind her while she stares into her bathroom mirror. He attempts to kill her, yet she runs. He reveals to her that he has Anne Maries missing child and would allow her to take his place as a sacrifice. Candyman is persistent in restoring her faith in him to appease his congregation; he must kill her, making her immortal. Her disbelief in his legend undermines the integrity of his existence. Therefore, he targets her to revive the lore and allow future generations to fear him, making her death a trophy. As Helen is lying on the floor, screaming for dear life, Bernadine barges into her apartment, sealing her own death. Helen lies unconscious on the kitchen floor with a corpse and a knife. The police arrive, charge her with murder, and transport Helen to the psychiatric ward, where Candyman continues to taunt her imagination, revealing himself to her. She has visions of him, his sanctuary, and flashes of Anne Maries missing baby. Yet, when evaluated by a psychiatrist, a surveillance video is replayed of her speaking to Candyman, yet she appears deranged as there is not a soul in sight. She attempts to prove her psychiatrist to him and calls him, repeating his name into his office mirror. CandyMan appears behind him, stabbing him with his hook into his abdomen, bleeding him out. CandyMan rips Helen's constraints and breaks open the window, allowing her to leave. 

It is found that in all instances where Candyman appears, he frames Helen for his violent acts. No physical evidence is found of Candyman; therefore, her claims about him have no support. He prays on the misunderstood and innocent, bringing them guilt and shame and enabling the victims to believe that they are genuinely the murderer, the killer, and the psychotic. Candyman shows himself to whoever he desires and hides himself when necessary, contributing to the suspense of his tale and confusing the audience about his authenticity. 

The central question that lingers is whether Candy Man is real or fake. He is a supernatural creature who lives in the minds of those who believe in him. At first, I thought Helen was so fascinated with this creature that she entered a crazed state, embodying him and carrying out his deeds. For almost the entirety of the film, I believed that Helen was irritatted by her husband, who was suspected of having an affair. Therefore, she drove herself mad. However, at the film’s ending, Trevor dies after reciting "Helen" into the mirror (as she has now taken over the role of the "Candyman" as his successor). Again, the individual, in this case, his girlfriend, who finds him lying in the bathtub bleeding out, is holding a knife, framing herself. This repetition ensures a scapegoat for the violent acts of the mythical forces, and the innocent are perceived as guilty. Therefore, this corroborated my theory that rather than Hellen being deranged, she was engaging with the Candyman! Therefore, as this cycle continues, the idea of the "real" Candyman is enforced, and he is no longer just a delusion. Regarding Helen and Candyman's relationship, he was tangible to her and the world rather than a figment of his imagination. Her fear reinforced his reality, just as Trevor began to fear Helen, believing he was indeed a killer. The power of fear allows Helen and the Candyman to be real to those who recite their name. 

So many questions came to my mind while watching this film. For one, Why were the psychiatrist and Bernice killed if they did not repeat the Candyman's name in the mirror? I believe CandyMan becomes obsessed with Helen as she attempts to write a thesis debunking this legend, commemorating him as only a childish story. Therefore, he allows himself to kill all to prove his power to her. Another question that came to mind was why Hellen was buried with the hook. Did the community think she was the Candyman, or did they think she killed the Candyman? Hellen returned the baby to Anne Marie after digging her way through the bonfire. Initially, Helen encroaches into this underprivileged Black community for her own gain. However, the only woman who helps her is betrayed in the end. By sacrificing herself for the child, she slightly redeems herself and is appreciated by the community, which is why I believe they came to her funeral.

Lastly, I noted the massive theme of white supremacy. It was found that when Helen was beaten while in Cabrini-Green, the police immediately initiated an investigation to find the suspect. However, in the last two killings that occurred in Cabrini-Green, no one was convicted for these crimes. This could be because the community failed to seek help from law enforcement. After all, the system was useless. This underprivileged community created their coping method and something to blame the violence and murders on. 

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The Abandon 

I was so excited to observe independent filmmaking while watching this; I certainly could not develop anything close to this! However, this gave me more insight into how I can make my own short film. 

This exciting Horror, Sci-Fi, and Supernatural film reminded me of the television series “Stranger Things,” where demagorgons abduct and eat the character. Simuliarrly this film introduced a supposed alien invasion prompting an unknown flashing a light which causes anyone who stares at it to vanish into thin air, as if they are sucked up to the end of the earth, left without a trace. This leaves a chilling and mysterious aura, prompting panic and paranoia among the friend group. For the entirety of the film, I wondered what happened to those who disappeared. Do they vanish into a portal, another universe, or if we would ever see them again? 

This horror film integrates the theme of friendship and brotherhood under pressure, as many characters abandon their friends rather than stick together in these challenging times. This ultimate struggle for survival unearths their character and truth. This dilemma raises various questions: When trying to survive, what should you do? Leave your friends or help eachother? Is it everyone for themselves? The entire group encourages a strong combined front willing to stay together and survive together. However, Kendall isolates himself from the bunch. We soon learn this stems from more profound and hidden drama/conflict between Kendall and Dennis.  Dennis reveals he had an affair with Kendall's ex-wife, who he is trying to get back. This obstructs all trust and bonds in their friendship. Seeing how the relationship between two best friends will fall due to deception and lies is disheartening. This destruction of their relationship leads to hidden motives and additional suffering.  A confrontation/revenge occurs when the two men escape the light in the woods, and Kendall attempts to sabotage Dennis by pushing him off a cliff and leaving him out to dry. Furthermore, later in the film, he pours alcohol into his mouth, challenging his sobriety journey. This plot portrays how grudges may reemerge!

At the film's end, I questioned what happened to the tongueless man. Why did his eyes blacken at the end of the film? The writers left that up to interpretation. We only understand that an unknown being erases people from existence. So therefore, what caused this individual to gain monster-like qualities? This unknown and suspense contributes to the film's more airy and unsettling feelings. This situation is unexplained, and it is up to the audience to put the pieces together.

Lastly, the film ends on a cliffhanger, with only two men in entirely different situations. One man is alone in a home, and the other runs into the woods without a phone. We never find out what happens to either of them. I honestly hate Cliffhangers; it just feels so unfinished. Who will live, and who will die? Will the other ever reappear? Who will get the girl? So many questions without answers! 

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Get Out

To begin with, this film had it all! I am utterly shocked at how much I genuinely enjoyed the film and Black Horror. The foreshadowing, drama, twists and turns, conflict, horror, and plot twists are insane. Overall, it was so unique and beautiful! 

The film begins with this African American man walking through a neighborhood late at night. Suddenly, he is followed by a white car. He attempts to escape the car, changing his course, yet in a surprise attack, he is kidnapped, choked, and shoved into the back of the car by a masked individual (which we later learn is a part of the Armitage cult). The movie continues, and during the film's last minutes, the film comes full circle! 

I recognized that Andre was the man abducted at the film's beginning and had undergone a "Coagula" operation! Seeing how lifeless he was compared to the film's beginning is so transformative. Andre, like the groundskeeper and Georgina, is an empty vessel. The white family generated a cult-like environment, finding interest in the genetics of African Americans to use them as hosts for the Armitage family. These new beings were props, behaving as robots dressed in "white" suburban attire, and all their uniqueness, culture, and identity were erased. These new beings are dehumanized and stripped of all that is true to themselves. I believe Jordan Peele attempted to symbolize how society often attempts to assimilate all individuals. The dominant white suburban culture has trapped these African Americans and stole their "valuable" and physically superior qualities, such as their eyes, speed, strength, etc., just as modern society picks and chooses what is seen as "normal" or acceptable and frowns on any deviations. White supremacy supports this assimilation, prevents diversity's richness, and generates identical individuals, like Barbie dolls on the shelf. They perform like an expected, sanitized suburban, polished individual, lacking authenticity. 

Andre can only escape this paralyzed and substanceless place when a camera flash meets his eyes. He becomes stunned, blood drips down his nose, and he transforms into a madman, attacking Chris and barking, “Get Out!”  Andre warned Chris to “get out” and leave before it was too late. I feel like so many people want to yell and break free in an oppressive society. I would be exhausted after living in a lie and just wanna yell and let it all out!  In another instance, Georgia attempts to speak to Chris from the inside out. She is quivering, slowly crying, yet smiling and whispering, “No, No, No.” She attempts to break free as the “real” and “fake” Georgina has an internal conflict. 

Another connection I drew was when Rose and Chris traveled to the suburbs to meet her parents, and while on their way, a deer crashed into the side of Rose's car. A deer has many meanings across various cultures; some view a deer as a spirit aminal, strong, compassionate, and grateful. When Chris tells Rose's father about how the deer tragically passed away, he shows no remorse yet is grateful and encourages their distinction as they are simply ruining the ecosystem. This shows a significant character and morality in the father and draws a connection to the plot, as he sees African Americans as mere objects of his discretion. These expandable bodies allow his own twisted family to prosper. On the other hand, deer resemble the supernatural world, identifying with hypnotism and otherworldly aura throughout the film. 

The most riveting aspect of the film was how Rose created this fictitious character for the entirety of the film. Upholding her “girlfriend” role, Rose sympathizes with Chris, listening to and supporting his feelings. She even disapproves of her family's behavior and the displayed microaggressions. Rose successfully distinguishes herself from her family, allowing Chris a haven with her. However, in the end, she reveals herself as a monster. She fools Chris, and the house of horrors is uncovered! Her manipulation lures both women and men into her home to present them to her parents as a gift to carry on their deranged family traditions! I believe James Peele wanted to expose how racism is deeply rooted in our cultures and traditions, allowing it to prosper. Although Rose is believed to be a supportive outlet for Chris, she is tied to her family's values and beliefs. It becomes evident that racism is deeply rooted in the systems of society.

The death of Chris’s mom is brought up throughout the film as it is a highly vulnerable aspect of his life, which leads to significant emotional trauma. Rose's mom prys each detail of the excruciating night out of Chris while she hypnotizes him and weaponizes it against him as he is an easier target to control. She dominates his mind! This symbolizes how marginalized individuals are paralyzed and unable to exert power when overwhelmed by societal constructs and racism.  Chris exposes himself to Rose, describing that he was the reason his mother died. Although she was in a hit-and-run car accident, she was left on the floor until morning, bleeding away until she died the following morning. Chris blames himself for not calling the police, as he failed to take action. This comes full circle as Chris can redeem himself at the film's end. He accidentally hits Georgina with his car and battles internally on whether he should leave her while in danger. Chris surpasses the emotional barrier that has controlled him since childhood, and Rather than selfishly leaving her on the floor to die, he carries her into the car in search of safety. 

I continue to question why the groundkeeper killed himself. This is a question that I am racking my mind to figure out. It could be that when Chris flashed the camera in his eyes, the hypnosis broke, and he realized his situation and could not grapple with his life. Maybe, like Andre, he just wanted to “Get out”! He no longer wanted to host a racist white woman or man! 

I truly enjoyed Rod's character, as he brought a humorous note to the film (but included hidden themes). He goes to the police station to save Chris but is overlooked as foolish. Rather than finding community in another African American, he is mocked, which aggravated me so much (but is understandable because the story was crazy)! Additionally, after Chris escapes the house of horrors and is left in the woods with Rose, a police car arrives. I thought Chris was about to be taken to the station in handcuffs while Rose (a privileged white woman) was free. However, Rod saved the day on a humorous and lively note, softening the film's ending after that violent murder scene! 

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The Comet

When all the living is dead, what is left? The fueled societal norms, structures, and hierarchies can no longer prosper without humanity extorting, exploiting, and powering their falsehoods. 

Jim Davis, a working-class African-American man, was not remarkable in society and was deemed an expandable accessory that could be forgotten. Forced to scavenge the depths of the vaults at the bank he worked at, he uncovered an old, rusted, forgotten chest harboring gold when suddenly a comet crashed onto the earth, dissipating all humankind. The author compares Jim to the gold, a man so beautiful, kind, pure, and worthy of acceptance but struck behind the iron barriers of societal racism. Jim, like the gold, was overlooked and invisible, hidden away. To reach the value of both, the barriers must collapse! 

Following the comets' descent to earth, the city of New York is bare, struck with corpses and death plaguing the City. What was once a bountiful place of happiness was forgotten. Jim describes the dead without sympathy or remorse and in a gruesome fashion. All the dead (spanning from babies to adults) are simply dead; they are not racially, culturally, or ethnically grouped—just the corpses of once-living souls. The author attempts to show that societal bias, stereotypes, and grouping are meaningless. Humans are humans. We are born, live, and then die. Why must we wait until the end to realize that we are one? 

To further emphasize this idea, the author leaves two only people in the world: an African American man and a white woman. When they encounter each other, they are free of preconceptions or prejudices that clog their minds and truths, causing deception and injustice. Jim states that although yesterday, “she would scarcely have looked at him twice. He would have been dirt beneath her silken feet.” Today, as the only person left in the world with her, he was considered “quite commonplace and usual.” Their differences were no longer an obstacle; she found comfort in knowing someone was there. 

Moreover, the author reimagined Adam and Eve through Jim and Juila. They are naked, bare, and alone; their fear begins to disengage, and they begin to accept each other. Romance disguised the “hastly glare of reality”. The two beings cried together, symbolizing purity, relief, and release. They were vulnerable and free of societal constructs that prevented them from being equal. She was a woman, and he was a man, and their love did not hinge on prejudice, biases, stereotypes, discrimination, or injustice that could change their roles on this earth. Rather than an alien, he now “seemed very human,—very near now.” Julia “saw him glorified. He was no longer a thing apart, a creature below, a strange outcast of another clime and blood, but her Brother Humanity incarnate, Son of God and great All-Father of the race to be.” 

However, this pivotal step towards harmony and equality was destroyed. Her revelation ridiculing how “foolish our human distinctions seem[ed]” were forgotten. All progression is obliterated as the white men surge onto that roof. Julia jumped into her father's arms, leaving behind her savior and returning to a world where all individuals did not have the same destiny—a world that shunned g-ds true intentions. The modern world disregarded what lifeforms arrived on this bare earth to do. When humanity was created, discrimination was absent- as it is simply a man-made ideology to generate power and wealth. It is clear that when the world was dead, Julia could push past all social structures and racism; however, when a shed of “yesterday” crawled back into “today,” all progression backfired.

I observed that in times of desperation, we are more open and willing to accept; however, with privilege and more opportunity, we become more selfish and close-minded. Julia was a privileged white woman who had never experienced difficulty or a need to change her mindset. However, once the comet has obliterated humankind, she is forced to alter her thinking and learn to see “how foolish our human distinctions seem—now.” Jim is no longer invisible to Julia, and race is irrelevant. Yet once she reunites with her father, she returns to a community that cannot accept difference. The white men begin to question Jim and his actions with Julia and refer to him as an alien, stating, “I've always liked your people.” This sudden shift explores how fragile society is. It was like one step forward and three steps back. We must continue to push reforms and fight back. 

Additionally, I noticed that In society, when one is constantly seen as second-class, unworthy, or undervalued, the indicual manifests this idea and slowly believes it, wiping his power and aspirations. They are lifeless. The world has mislabeled them, and rather than fighting away the words in gnaws into them until they cannot rid themselves of this toxic label written by idealistic and uneducated individuals. In other words, how can one succeed when society is not supportive and actively hoping for their defeat? When Jim was finally acknowledged, seen, and valued as a person, not just by the color of his skin, “he arose within the shadows, tall, straight, and stern, with power in his eyes and ghostly scepters hovering to his grasp. It was as though some mighty Pharaoh lived again, or curled Assyrian lord”. The racial oppression fueled by yesterday's society no longer haunted him today. His voice, power, and soul were relinquished. Jim was liberated and felt a part of society!