This horror movie is worth watching, even if it’s not perfect. The twist at the end makes it more palatable, even though the bulk of the story is similar to what you have seen before.
The film is set in the quiet, isolated town of Stoker Hills and it focuses on Ryan, Erica, and Jake, three young film students who set out to make a movie that is a cross between Pretty Woman and The Walking Dead. When Erica is abducted while making it, they (and we) never see it through to the end. ..
As Ryan and Jake enter the abandoned building, they find dead bodies and a medical device. They also come across a door that leads to an unknown room.
The film does not answer these questions until much later in the story, which is a bit of a letdown.
The film starts out with a disorienting sequence in which the camera is carried by one of its protagonists. This makes the early scenes difficult to watch, as the shakycam makes them feel more like a video game than a real movie. If you’re not used to watching films through a mobile phone, you might find it uncomfortable to watch this one.
When Ryan and Jake fall foul of the hooded menace that is behind Erica’s abduction, the film changes focus, literally, as the phone is dropped and a more traditional camera setup takes precedence.
As this is a film that initially sits within the found footage genre, the scenes captured by the phone are discovered by two police detectives. They use this to investigate the disappearance of the students and their search eventually leads them to a doctor accused of medical malpractice and a serial killer that is behind a recent spate of murders in the town.
The cast of Candyman is largely unknowns, but they all deliver fine performances. The rest of the actors do a pretty good job too.
The story is often nonsensical and clichéd. However, the atmosphere can be spooky at times, especially during scenes where the police journey through the misty woods, flashlights in hand, to find the missing students. This helps to keep interest high in the film, as the heavy-handed dialogue might make you cringe and roll your eyes while watching. ..
The film does have its moments, but overall it’s a bit of a disappointment. It’s not bad by any means, but it doesn’t offer much in the way of excitement or suspense. ..
If you’re looking for a horror movie, there are many to choose from. However, if you can set your expectations low and enjoy the film for what it is, this isn’t a complete waste of time. ..
The story is mostly predictable throughout the 90-minute running time, but the ending might genuinely surprise you. There is still some enjoyment to be had while watching this occasionally silly and formulaic movie. ..
