The plot follows a Black artist whose exploration of Candyman's history unleashes violence primarily targeting racially insensitive white characters, framing the monster as a product of historical white violence while questioning ethics of vengeance. Casting features a predominantly Black ensemble in lead roles, shifting focus to a Black perspective on the urban legend.

Director Nia DaCosta and producer Jordan Peele have emphasized themes of racial injustice and the duality of the Black experience in America, with the screenplay deliberately amplifying social commentary over pure horror. This results in frequent lecture-like moments on generational oppression and systemic barriers.

Audience reception shows substantial backlash labeling it anti-white propaganda, woke horror, or prioritizing message over scares, with complaints of review-bombing and disappointment in the overt political framing. While the source material had racial undertones, the 2021 version makes identity politics foundational, causing the story to collapse without them.