HORRORS IN ‘CANDYMAN’ ARE MORE THAN SIMPLE GORE

Do we really need another version of “Candyman,” the 1992 horror film that has already spawned a couple wretched sequels? h Absolutely. The new film, which is both a sequel and an expansion of the world created in the first one, is fresh, relevant, smart and — it wouldn’t work if not for this — scary. h With Jordan Peele producing and co-writing the script, it’s no surprise that social justice is an essential element here. The way director and co-writer Nia Dacosta brings the story to life is powerful and weirdly beautiful. There is some gore, yes, but much of the violence, particularly against Black people, is shown through the use of shadow puppets.

UNIVERSAL PICTURES/MGM; ILLUSTRATION BY AUDREY TATE/USA TODAY NETWORK; GETTY IMAGES Yahya Abdul-mateen II (foreground) and Michael Hargrove in the new “Candyman.”