A significant reason Candlewood is so eerie is the cast. Bryant is great as the well-meaning father/husband caught in the middle of a family dynamic no one could’ve predicted from the outset. He’s likable yet flawed. Valentin shifts from jealous to caring to confused in the blink of an eye, making each emotion authentic. A few of Ibanez’s lines could have used another take or two, but for the most part, he’s charming and sells the fear very well. Lysiak portrays the overwhelming bigness of all teenage emotions with sincerity. Solomon is the right mix of creepy and dramatic, allowing audiences to question whether he has anything to do with what is happening. Jessica Altchiler nearly steals the show as Brandi, the neighbor who is too friendly for her own good. She’s funny, weird, scary, and a little sexy all at once.
The frightening figure haunting the family in Candlewood.
“…the music and editing are also incredible.”
Finally, the music and editing are also incredible. Andrew Scott Bell’s score is moody, atmospheric, and moving. It never overpowers the narrative but greatly enhances what happens. Editors Furhman, Scott B. Hansen, John Lange, and Chris Roll effectively balance the creepy hallucinations with the family drama, allowing each element to blend seamlessly with the other.
Candlewood is truly a stupendous exercise in mystery and fear until the end. The editing is great, and the narrative balances family drama and scares nicely. The cast is great and helps ground the more outlandish moments. It is too bad that the big reveal of why is a giant pile of “that is it?” However, should Furhman direct another film, I will be first in line to watch it, as the direction is virtually flawless; the issue stems solely from the script.
For more information, visit the official Candlewood site.
"…should Furhman direct another film, I will be first in line to watch it..."
