Unfortunately, Bustillo and Maury continue their streak to mediocrity with Kandisha. Zero originality, not that great or likable characters and not at all scary. I have to give them points for deaths in last 20 minutes of the movie, but that's about it. Nothing to see here and if they continue this way, I'll have to think that "Inside" was just beginners luck, since all after that ( except Livid, which is a problematic, but interesting movie ) was downhill. Definitely not recommended.
14 Reviews
Kandishaman
begob26 July 2021
A girl abused by her ex-boyfriend summons an ancient demon to exact revenge, but the revenge gets out of control.
Interesting scenario that begins in the multi-ethnic high-rise community of a French city, with plenty of cultural tropes thrown in, from graffiti artistry to inter-racial banter to a variety of American music. Fast dialogue, so the sub-titles are on full duty during the first act.
Unfortunately, this is horror-by-numbers, with zero psychology, as a creepy curse comes out of the past to affect modern urban dwellers. All been done before to better effect, the model being Candyman, which the movie actually references. The demon has some interesting reveals, particularly when the hoofs come out, but a big set piece is spoiled by poor editing at 1:09, in which the poor actors have to REACT! Without any suspense built into the event.
The only thing that could have stirred it up for me is if the final scene had been fast-forwarded into the middle of the second act - now that would have been interesting: set a demon to catch the original demon.
The production quality is good, but with such uninspired material I got the impression everyone involved lost conviction as the inevitable conclusion approached. You may know how to put a movie together, but a good horror needs some soul.
Overall: Starts out energetic, but ends up flat as a jumper's corpse on a pavement.
Interesting scenario that begins in the multi-ethnic high-rise community of a French city, with plenty of cultural tropes thrown in, from graffiti artistry to inter-racial banter to a variety of American music. Fast dialogue, so the sub-titles are on full duty during the first act.
Unfortunately, this is horror-by-numbers, with zero psychology, as a creepy curse comes out of the past to affect modern urban dwellers. All been done before to better effect, the model being Candyman, which the movie actually references. The demon has some interesting reveals, particularly when the hoofs come out, but a big set piece is spoiled by poor editing at 1:09, in which the poor actors have to REACT! Without any suspense built into the event.
The only thing that could have stirred it up for me is if the final scene had been fast-forwarded into the middle of the second act - now that would have been interesting: set a demon to catch the original demon.
The production quality is good, but with such uninspired material I got the impression everyone involved lost conviction as the inevitable conclusion approached. You may know how to put a movie together, but a good horror needs some soul.
Overall: Starts out energetic, but ends up flat as a jumper's corpse on a pavement.
Director's will never top their other movie Inside
mkaloghlian26 July 2021
That's the sad part because the made after Inside are just generic or cliched and was hoping they finally learned. The story is just weak and plenty of plot errors or plot holes. Either way still watchable but don't expect much.
Interesting French horror about a Moroccan demon, but there is a lot lacking
Amthermandes23 November 2022
I love a good demon or creature feature, and seeing demons from different parts of the world and from different cultural legends is always enjoyable. Kandisha isn't particularly scary, or unique. But it's worth a watch. Some of the kills were fun and gory, but a lot was CGI which is a shame.
I especially liked how the demon is perceived by different characters at different moments. A lot of the movie is predictable, but it's not so predictable that it's off-putting. Good ending, but there are some plot holes and unexplained events. Plus some weird editing and transitions that mess with the pacing.
All in all, it's not bad. Similar movies Antlers (2021), The Canal (2014), Pumpkinhead (1988), and His House (2020). But to be honest, all of those movies are better than this one.
I especially liked how the demon is perceived by different characters at different moments. A lot of the movie is predictable, but it's not so predictable that it's off-putting. Good ending, but there are some plot holes and unexplained events. Plus some weird editing and transitions that mess with the pacing.
All in all, it's not bad. Similar movies Antlers (2021), The Canal (2014), Pumpkinhead (1988), and His House (2020). But to be honest, all of those movies are better than this one.
Considering
tchitouniaram7 June 2022
Very efficient: the roots of horror
PedroPires9023 July 2021
Maybe it could have ended 3 minutes before, maybe it's sometimes predictable and not that innovative.
But when this film works...oh boy, it really works! There is a particular scene (1:09) that is absolutely fantastic, not only in terms of horror (probably the best death scene of the year, even better than that one on Fear Street) but also technically with a dolly zoom shots done with an efficiency that I don't remember in horror since Jaws.
Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury are, again, very good building young characters - like they did in Among The Living -, feels credible, feels realistic and you have a good background story with some social themes on it.
They are also masters of gore. No doubt about that. When they don't show you a death on screen, you know that the next one will compensate that and they definitely did that here.
I liked the entity, it's creepy, it's different, doesn't tell/show you more than the necessary and also loved the scenario, reminding a lot - as the legend itself - Candyman.
But when this film works...oh boy, it really works! There is a particular scene (1:09) that is absolutely fantastic, not only in terms of horror (probably the best death scene of the year, even better than that one on Fear Street) but also technically with a dolly zoom shots done with an efficiency that I don't remember in horror since Jaws.
Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury are, again, very good building young characters - like they did in Among The Living -, feels credible, feels realistic and you have a good background story with some social themes on it.
They are also masters of gore. No doubt about that. When they don't show you a death on screen, you know that the next one will compensate that and they definitely did that here.
I liked the entity, it's creepy, it's different, doesn't tell/show you more than the necessary and also loved the scenario, reminding a lot - as the legend itself - Candyman.
generic supernatural teen slasher
Horror_Flick_Fanatic28 February 2022
It's a very generic cookie cutter supernatural teen slasher film. Overused horror tropes. Swap out Christianity demons for Islamic Jinns in a ouija board style film, add a feminist spin on it, you have Kandisha. The girl summons a Jinn by calling its name five times after drawing a pentagram with her blood, not understanding the implications of a Evil Jinn that seeks to kill males. It's never scary, although it does have some decent gore. For a 2020 film, the special effects are pedestrian. I am surprised this was made by the same people as the French original "Inside" which is an amazing film.
Creepy n brutal with one of the most terrifying demon.
Fella_shibby7 November 2021
I am generous with an 8 cos i enjoyed this movie. Simple, ain't no wannabe critic.
The director duo once again did a terrific job of character development, avoiding the pg13 trend n succeeded in creating a terrifying entity.
The director duo once again did a terrific job of character development, avoiding the pg13 trend n succeeded in creating a terrifying entity.
Kandisha Kardashian
Howling_at_the_Moon_Reviews26 July 2023
I think this one just barley hit the mark above average. I tend to be a little biased towards folk horror as it is my favorite, but also many of the kills/effects along with the monster design pushed it over the edge for me.
Other than that this movie was pretty basic. Simple cause and effect storyline that generally felt like it was geared towards a younger audience. The movie looked nice but was still pretty run of the mill as far as design and shots go for movies in the past 5 years. Acting seemed fine/good across the board (as an English speaker).
There are definitely some cool aspects to this one but it is not reinventing the wheel by any means. 5.5 rounding up to a 6, would recommend.
Other than that this movie was pretty basic. Simple cause and effect storyline that generally felt like it was geared towards a younger audience. The movie looked nice but was still pretty run of the mill as far as design and shots go for movies in the past 5 years. Acting seemed fine/good across the board (as an English speaker).
There are definitely some cool aspects to this one but it is not reinventing the wheel by any means. 5.5 rounding up to a 6, would recommend.
Awful film!
jp_9129 November 2022
"Kandisha" is one of the worst horror movies I've ever seen. The script is clearly influenced by "Candyman" but in "Kandisha" the plot of an urban legend fails to engage and everything becomes incoherent, as well as having badly written characters and silly dialogues. The performances of the three young leads are good, but much of the cast is lousy at acting. Digital special effects are completely bad. The soundtrack is not efficient, the editing is lousy and the director's work seems to not exist. The worst part is the cinematography which is overexposed for most of the feature film. The movie is total disgusting and the animal cruelty shown in one scene is the straw that broke the camel's back. Lousy!
Zero Accountability
halfxbreed2322 April 2022
I absolutely loathe the protagonist of this film. She summons an uncontrollable spirit and blames people for not helping her stop it. Tf?
She's so unlikable and solely to blame for every single death in the film. And we're supposed to root for her? I find it hard to cheer for someone with no humility and even less personality. Teen angst has a limit and she OD on it.
Her friends do little to lift the story beyond mediocrity. They're mainly stand-ins to show that the protagonist is capable of maintaining friendships. There are some good kills with great practical effects but for an 85min runtime it shouldnt feel like a slow burn... yet it does.
I just didn't care for most of it. Weak execution and slow revelations.
She's so unlikable and solely to blame for every single death in the film. And we're supposed to root for her? I find it hard to cheer for someone with no humility and even less personality. Teen angst has a limit and she OD on it.
Her friends do little to lift the story beyond mediocrity. They're mainly stand-ins to show that the protagonist is capable of maintaining friendships. There are some good kills with great practical effects but for an 85min runtime it shouldnt feel like a slow burn... yet it does.
I just didn't care for most of it. Weak execution and slow revelations.
The myth of ...
kosmasp26 June 2021
Well never heard of her? Me neither ... well I have now and so have you in a way (even if it is only by reading this). But it seems like she is someone you can call upon. And I was thinking about rating it a bit higher ... not becauser of how the character act and react to certain things, but how it works without compromise and takes no prisoners ... something the characters seem not to entirely care about at times ... and then really care about.
But then came the ending ... and that I did not like at all ... it sort of makes sense, but it also makes no sense at all. It may well break the movie for you. It is nice to see a female cast in the main roles and them going at it. That may also be an issue for some I reckon, but it would be a shame and you'd be missing out on some really horrific (great) special effects too ...
But then came the ending ... and that I did not like at all ... it sort of makes sense, but it also makes no sense at all. It may well break the movie for you. It is nice to see a female cast in the main roles and them going at it. That may also be an issue for some I reckon, but it would be a shame and you'd be missing out on some really horrific (great) special effects too ...
If you know you know !
Es1am17 June 2022
As an arab who is very familiar with the story of Aiysha Kandisha or Al Nadaha (the caller) as Egyptians know her. I was super excited to know that there was a horror movie based on her
Her story has always terrified me both as a kid and as an adult. The movie itself is nothing special just a bunch of teens messing around and stupidly conjure a demon which we've all seen before but the Jinn itself was the highlight of the movie and the way it killed those men was one of if not the most brutal way I've ever seen in a horror movie before and I'm mostly impressed at how they demon looks exactly as it was described in the myth if not even more terrifying. Overall great horror flick. WATCH IT.
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