12 Delayed 2021 Movies That Really Weren't Worth The Wait

6. Candyman

venom let there be carnage
Universal

With its timely themes and talented cast and crew, Candyman (2021) was pretty much the most anticipated horror film of 2020, and then of 2021 when it got pushed back a year. Too bad it was such a let-down.

Yes, critics might've been inexplicably generous to it, but the more mixed response from audiences is far more reflective of what is, despite the best efforts of its cast and director Nia DaCosta, a total mess.

The social commentary is atrociously written, it's painfully rushed, the protagonist (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) is a passenger in his own movie and, worst of all, it concludes with a stupid car-wreck of a third act that doesn't even remotely satisfy.

And that's not even mentioning the way it wastes the original Candyman actor Tony Todd on a meaningless cameo that literally lasts for seconds.

In other words, what a terrible waste.

Two other horror sequels from 2021, the new entries in the Saw and Purge franchises, also had an emphasis on social commentary... and both of them absolutely smoked Candyman. That's right, this got beaten by a Saw spin-off starring Chris Rock, and The Purge 5, which shows just how much this dropped the ball.

Contributor

Film Studies graduate, aspiring screenwriter and all-around nerd who, despite being a pretentious cinephile who loves art-house movies, also loves modern blockbusters and would rather watch superhero movies than classic Hollywood films. Once met Tommy Wiseau.