Semi-Sweet Religious Horror Candy Land (2023) Teases Brutal Slasher

Title: Candy Land

First Non-Festival Release: January 6, 2023 (Digital/Streaming Platforms)

Director: John Swab

Writer: John Swab

Runtime: 93 Minutes

Starring: Olivia Luccardi, Sam Quartin, Owen Campbell

Where to Watch: Check out where to find it here

Religious fervor juxtaposed against so-called moral degeneracy is always a fun focal point in horror. With the genre’s rich history of championing the ‘other’, even with honest on-screen depiction of various lived experiences, horror can bridge the empathy gap in ‘regular’ people to help them understand more of their fellow human.

Sadie (Sam Quartin) lives and works alongside her coworkers and friends as sex workers at a busy truck stop in Montana. One day a religious ex-cult member, Remy (Olivia Luccardi), is dropped off at their doorstep confused and seeking shelter. As they work to acclimate her to the working life, a serial killer threatens to cleanse the truck stop of all sinners.

Delectable slasher goodness in Candy Land is bogged down by puzzling story progression and inauthentic performances.

From the beginning, Candy Land promises a quirk, dirty, and sexy look at the lives of sex workers at a truck stop. The lives of these ‘lot lizards’ is one of struggle, as they contend with poverty, dangerous johns, and the judgment of those seeking to “save” them. Their care for each other ensures that they live to see each day, that is, until a serial killer decides to make their workplace home base. Candy Land does a great job of balancing this care for its sex worker main characters while not holding back from the reality of their working conditions.

An exciting premise doesn’t amount to much as the story gradually crumbles the further it spins out of control in its third act. Obvious story progression aside, Candy Land doesn’t have much substance in the ways that religious fervor comes to be. The antagonist’s backstory and motive are underdeveloped, and their introduction into the narrative doesn’t fit in well with the story being told. All the action takes place over the course of less than a week, making the film feel rushed in its serial killer mystery. Once it reaches its conclusion, Candy Land leaves viewers without much payoff as it ends on a head scratching note.

Sadie and the rest of her coworkers/friends trade consistently juvenile or empty banner about the state of their world and profession to set the tone for the film’s statements on sex and morality. The crew’s interactions with Remy are meant to humanize them to a general audience, which they successfully do. Their dynamic is sweet enough, but their lack of development causes them to feel like strangers when they are inevitably hunted down by the killer. Ultimately, aside from Sadie and Levi, they mostly serve as cannon fodder for underwhelming death scenes. With exception, most of the cast glide through the film with a dull, fake-edgy vibe that makes it hard to take seriously at points. It might be an attempt to capture the cynical outlook of the 90s, but the dialogue comes out clunky when delivered by the cast.

While the story leaves much to be desired, Candy Land carves out its own unique style and mood to leave quite the impression on viewers. Each frame makes good on the gritty promise of the premise while the desolate truck stop appears as depressing as one would expect. Add in the 90s setting, and the film simmers in its rebellious aesthetic. The characters look like the rougher side of a 90s teen soap opera but fit together nicely. The attention to detail in the lower budget production helps make Candy Land a more cohesive venture.

Indie horror fans have plenty to celebrate in this 90s throwback film. Its attention to stylistic detail and its unique tone make it a strong pick for anyone that loves the grittier side of horror. For those seeking a truly revelatory story or interesting character beats, may look elsewhere. It’s a fine film overall but doesn’t stand out when played against films with similar themes and approaches to horror. If the intermingling of sex and morality politics set against a mega truck stop serial killer story is your jam, then Candy Land should be your next destination.

Overall Score? 5/10