What I liked was a horror movie that was scaring me with ideas and gore, instead of simply with gore.
– Roger Ebert,
Chicago Sun-Times,
1 Jan 2000
rotten:
Madsen is a much better actress than is usually found in such a role. However, if you don't like splashes of blood or bees swarming out of bodies, you may want to think twice about this one.
– Richard Harrington,
Washington Post,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
The film's spooky atmosphere is accentuated by Anthony B. Richmond's cinematography and Philip Glass's score.
– Janet Maslin,
New York Times,
20 May 2003
rotten:
Like so many post-Val Lewton horror films, this 1992 feature starts out promisingly while the plot is mainly a matter of suggestion, but gradually turns gross and obvious as the meanings become literal and unambiguous.
– Jonathan Rosenbaum,
Chicago Reader,
17 Sep 2008
fresh:
Candyman is an uppper-register horror item that delivers the requisite shocks and gore but doesn't cheat or cop out.