Reviews: Kandisha (2020) Movie Review
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Where does Kandisha (2020) stand among horror films? Our review examines the scares, pacing, and what makes it unique in the genre.
Kandisha (2020), directed by Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury, is a supernatural horror film that blends urban legend folklore with modern-day revenge themes. Set in France, the story follows three teenage friends—Amélie, Bintou, and Morjana—who accidentally summon a vengeful spirit after a traumatic event.
Kandisha (2020) – A Stylish Yet Predictable Urban Legend Horror
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
The titular Kandisha is a Moroccan mythological figure, a spirit of a wronged woman who exacts revenge on men. After Amélie invokes her name following a violent attack, she realizes too late that Kandisha doesn’t distinguish between guilty and innocent victims. The spirit begins murdering men around her indiscriminately, forcing the group to find a way to stop the curse before it’s too late.
While the premise is intriguing, the film follows a fairly predictable horror structure, never fully exploring the deeper themes of trauma and female rage. The characters are likeable enough but lack significant depth, and while the film attempts to introduce themes of systemic violence and cultural mythos, it never dives deep enough to make a lasting impact.
Acting and Cinematography
The performances in Kandisha are solid, with Mathilde Lamusse as Amélie delivering an emotionally charged performance, but the real star of the film is its atmospheric cinematography. The directors lean into their signature eerie, blood-drenched aesthetic, with moody lighting, ominous shadows, and well-placed jump scares that elevate an otherwise formulaic horror narrative.
The practical effects are effectively gruesome, and Kandisha herself is a terrifying presence, designed with a unique mix of spectral beauty and monstrous horror. However, some of the deaths feel rushed, missing an opportunity for more tension-building.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Bustillo and Maury, known for their brutal, visually intense horror films like Inside, bring their trademark style to Kandisha, blending folk horror with urban terror. However, compared to their previous work, this film feels less bold, sticking to conventional horror tropes.
Strengths:
- Strong Visuals and Atmosphere – The cinematography and production design create a tense, eerie mood that lingers throughout.
- Effective Use of Folklore – The Kandisha myth is well-integrated into the story, adding a unique cultural twist to standard supernatural horror.
- Tense, Well-Executed Kills – While some deaths feel rushed, others are brutal and impactful, making for some chilling sequences.
Weaknesses:
- Predictable Plot Progression – The film follows a standard supernatural horror formula, with few surprises.
- Underdeveloped Characters – The protagonists lack depth, making it harder to fully invest in their survival.
- Missed Thematic Depth – While the film touches on important themes of trauma and vengeance, it doesn’t explore them in a meaningful way.
Final Verdict & Score: 6/10
Kandisha is a visually gripping but narratively predictable horror film. While its folklore-inspired villain and striking atmosphere make for an engaging watch, the lack of depth and reliance on standard horror beats prevent it from being truly memorable.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- Kandisha Rating Scores
- Our Score: 6/10
- Overall Score: 6.26/10
- IMDB: 5.4/10
- MetaCritic: 5.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 7.9/10
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