“In the real world, we create monsters of men all the time.”

Described as a “spiritual sequel” to Bernard Rose’s Candyman (itself an adaptation of a Clive Barker tale), Nia DaCosta‘s Candyman is coming to theaters on August 27, 2021.

Today, a special Candyman x Juneteenth video message has arrived from DaCosta.

The press release explains, “Juneteenth is a day that has historically recognized the perseverance and power of the Black community. Over the last two years, taking time to recognize and reflect on this holiday has only gained added significance. Black art, and Black storytelling in particular, provides audiences the opportunity to see both the reality and the possibility of Black lives in America.”

“Candyman first appeared on film in Bernard Rose’s 1992 cult classic as a vengeful, mystical entity, a victim of a brutal hate crime who externalizes his pain in the same community that once turned against him. Nia DaCosta found inspiration to bring Candyman into a new age. As director of this year’s Candyman, she has created a film rooted in horror that reframes the Candyman legend with new urgency. Produced by Jordan Peele, this film is an exciting, terrifying, entertaining, scary-as-hell horror film that also speaks to the movement and momentum of Black lives now. In this piece, Nia articulates her intentions for her film on the eve of Juneteenth.”

Additionally, check out new images and a fresh piece of poster art below.

Candyman comes from producer Jordan Peele, who co-wrote the film with Win Rosenfeld.

“For as long as residents can remember, the housing projects of Chicago’s Cabrini Green neighborhood were terrorized by a word-of-mouth ghost story about a supernatural killer with a hook for a hand, easily summoned by those daring to repeat his name five times into a mirror. In present day, a decade after the last of the Cabrini towers were torn down, visual artist Anthony McCoy (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) and his girlfriend, gallery director Brianna Cartwright (Teyonah Parris), move into a luxury loft condo in Cabrini, now gentrified beyond recognition and inhabited by upwardly mobile millennials.”

“With Anthony’s painting career on the brink of stalling, a chance encounter with a Cabrini Green old-timer (Colman Domingo) exposes Anthony to the tragically horrific nature of the true story behind Candyman. Anxious to maintain his status in the Chicago art world, Anthony begins to explore these macabre details in his studio as fresh grist for paintings, unknowingly opening a door to a complex past that unravels his own sanity and unleashes a terrifyingly viral wave of violence that puts him on a collision course with destiny.”

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Anthony McCoy in Candyman, directed by Nia DaCosta.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Anthony McCoy in Candyman, directed by Nia DaCosta.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Anthony McCoy in Candyman, directed by Nia DaCosta.

(from left) Teyonah Parris and director Nia DaCosta on the set of Candyman.

(from left, center) Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and director Nia DaCosta on the set of Candyman.

(from left) Director Nia DaCosta and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II on the set of Candyman.

(from left) Young Brianna (Hannah Love Jones, back to camera) and Gil Cartwright (Cedric Mays) in Candyman, directed by Nia DaCosta.

Candyman, in silhouette, in Candyman, directed by Nia DaCosta.

(from left) Troy Cartwright (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) and Grady Smith (Kyle Kaminsky) in Candyman, directed by Nia DaCosta.

Rodney L. Jones III as Billy in Candyman, directed by Nia DaCosta.

Teyonah Parris as Brianna Cartwright in Candyman, directed by Nia DaCosta.

Colman Domingo as William Burke in Candyman, directed by Nia DaCosta.

Teyonah Parris as Brianna Cartwright in Candyman, directed by Nia DaCosta.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Anthony McCoy in Candyman, directed by Nia DaCosta.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Anthony McCoy in Candyman, directed by Nia DaCosta.

Teyonah Parris as Brianna Cartwright in Candyman, directed by Nia DaCosta.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Anthony McCoy in Candyman, directed by Nia DaCosta.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Anthony McCoy in Candyman, directed by Nia DaCosta.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Anthony McCoy in Candyman, directed by Nia DaCosta.