10 WAY Better Endings For Recent Movies

Despite the undeniable craft that went into it, the recent Jordan Peele-produced Candyman sequel was a bit of a disappointment, particularly the cynical means through which it brought back the original Candyman, Daniel Robitaille (Tony Todd).

Though the marketing suggested that Todd's Candyman would have a major role in the film, he ends up being relegated to a seconds-long cameo in the final moments, as the recently summoned Candyman (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) transforms into the earlier Robitaille version via a digitally de-aged Todd.

As neat as it is was to see Brianna (Teyonah Parris) summon Candyman to avenge her partner Anthony (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), who was shot by the police, Candyman's standoff with the cops is too brief and restrained to be much satisfying.

If the filmmakers wanted to present a truly daring and visceral engagement with modern day issues of "blue-on-Black" violence, they would've devoted the third act to Candyman basically taking on the entire surrounding police force.

Imagine the police station assault from The Terminator, except it's Robitaille slashing his way through the cop shop and avenging the thousands of Black people needlessly slain by police.

It wouldn't have been subtle and would've definitely proved controversial, but considering how abruptly Candyman ends, it really felt like it needed to do more and take its brutal vision much, much further. If you're going to prod the bear of systemic racism, at least do it with full conviction.