'Brilliant' horror film fans are calling 'genuinely scary' on TV tonight

Based on a classic horror movie, this 2021 remake acts as a follow-up to the creepiness that film fans fell in love with - and you can watch it on TV tonight.

Candyman is a supernatural horror film co-created by Nia DaCosta, Jordan Peele and Win Rosenfeld, who picked up the story from the 1992 cult classic. With dark themes, it acts as a sequel retelling the legend of a recurring curse that has passed its way down through generations of Black men that were wrongfully killed.

The film follows an artist, played by Emmy-winning actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who has picked up his life and moved to the gentrified housing project in Chicago. As he's scratching his head for inspiration, he uncovers the tale of the Candyman and the story that links him to the killing of a man called Sherman Fields in the 1970s.

Now inspired to make outstanding art, he soon becomes obsessed with this legend and digs even deeper into the stories of the elusive killer. His obsession turns to insanity, and as he becomes enraptured by it, he finds himself becoming the Candyman's next host.

A fan of the film took to Rotten Tomatoes to say they thought the film was "brilliant", whilst others dubbed it as "heartbreaking", with themes of racial injustice. A short but sweet review claimed Candyman was "moody, unsettling, and genuinely scary".

Another review states: "Candyman starts strong with an eerie, child-focused opening and creative puppet storytelling that adds to the mythic feel. The visuals and atmosphere are haunting, especially scenes like the elevator blackout and mirrored laundry rooms."

Meanwhile, another viewer shared: "The film keeps you on edge the entire way through with its different strains of horror: body, psychological & slasher. The film might be too short & rushed, but its journey was impressive."

Candyman originated from a 1985 short story titled The Forbidden, by Clive Barker, first introducing the world to the fictional legend. The creepy character, written for a horror series, was a ghost and the son of a slave who was murdered all the way back in the 19th century, and his tragic history lives on throughout the film franchise.

The idea was adapted and taken to the big screen by Bernard Rose, starring Tony Todd as the original Candyman. Todd makes a reappearance in this modernised version of the tale, playing the ghost of artist Daniel Robitaille, alongside the likes of Colman Domingo and Vanessa Williams.

A viewer wrote: "A heartbreaking drama of the ghosts created from the injustice and hatred of the world impacting generation after generation. A worthy and notable legacy sequel that should not be missed."

For many fans, this 2021 addition to the franchise lives up to its predecessors. Someone said: "I am the biggest fan of the original two movies ... this was different enough to just be a different movie with the same message regarding racial issues. I really enjoyed it."

Candyman will air on BBC Three tonight at 10:30pm. Alternatively, the modern remake is also available to stream now on Amazon Prime for those who simply can't wait.