For some time now, there has been a bit of a cultural obsession with the ’80s, particularly in the horror genre. It only makes sense as some of the best horror films of all time came out of that decade. Candy Corn is yet another film in the canon of nostalgiac visits to the Reagan era. It even follows in the footsteps of horror maven and nostalgia fanatic, Rob Zombie, by casting actors who appeared in films of the era to which it’s paying homage. We have Courtney Gaines, PJ Soles, and Tony Todd who starred in such classics as Children Of The Corn, Halloween, and Candyman. The rest of the cast is filled out by lesser-known younger actors which is also prominent in genre cinema throughout time.
“…an annual tradition of hazing a local mentally ill young man…”
The plot is not uncharted territory. It’s somewhat of an amalgamation of the Frankenstein’s Monster and Sideshow “Freaks” while also managing to contain a revenge element within the same storyline. A group of small-town twenty-somethings, Mike (Jimothy Beckholt), Steve (Cy Creamer), and Bobby (Caleb Thomas), have an annual tradition of hazing a local mentally ill young man named Jacob Atkins (Nate Chaney) on Halloween. This year, Jacob has joined Dr. Death’s Sideshow Extravaganza. It’s unclear what his function is within the group of carnies, but it is clear that the carnival was the place where he finally felt accepted. The trio of hazers is dissuaded every step of the way by Steve’s girlfriend, Carol (Madison Russ). They’re joined by a burnout party animal type named Gus (Sky Elobar). Things do not go as planned when they see that Jacob finally decides to fight back against the crew of bullies. A big fracas ensues and Lester aka Dr. Death (Pancho Moler) is responsible for cleaning up the mess that remains once the pranksters run away. He helps put Jacob back together in a manner of speaking, and at this point, Jacob seeks out revenge on those who wronged him.
"…Things do not go as planned when they see that Jacob finally decides to fight back,,,"
YES INDEED!!! I like the film & will definitely watch it more than once. Yes INDEED!!!
Are you joking? I get if you are trying to say he purposefully made it laughably bad in honor of some of the bad parts of the 70’s and 80’s shows along with absurd characters and terrible dialog being delivered terribly. But even then you need to have some of it be scary a little or at least have the kills be ‘cool’ (one even happens off screen but doesn’t include the signature and then the next one wouldn’t’ actually even kill you..). The very few there are are ‘meh’ to horrible. And what great practical effects?? Some sausage casing for gusts and lots of blood?
Only real complaint I have is that it is just shy of being awesomely horrible. Parts are certainly at that level. We were busting up when there was a curfew and the cop was driving around apparently on his loud speaker telling everyone to get inside and nobody was giving a F as they just kept wandering around trick or treating. Or when when Dr. Death comes out asking what ‘everyone is chattering about’ when not a one of them had spoken. Or when one of the ‘kids’ who are getting it on pauses, talks on the phone, hangs up and says ‘the party is cancelled because of the curfew’ WHAT PARTY?? And then a shot later they show up getting it on in the theater getting it on. WTF?? Did they teleport from the couch to the theater thereby not slowing their groove or breaking curfew?? Certainly some but not quiet enough awesomely terrible.