Hard Candy

Name: Hard Candy
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Released: April 14, 2006
Duration: 104 min
Rating: 58
Cast: Ellen Page, Patrick Wilson

2006

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 30 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 317 Ratings

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8.0

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8.0	Your Score
8.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 317 Ratings

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Hard Candy

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Movie Details & Credits

Lions Gate Films | Release Date: April 14, 2006 | R

Starring: Ellen Page, Patrick Wilson

Summary: A cat-and-mouse psychotic thriller as incisive as it is stylish, Hard Candy delivers a provocative take on the revenge drama while jangling nerves at every turn. The film plunges us into an unstable universe where we cannot readily identify the "good guy" in the tense confrontation between a 14-year-old girl and the 32-year-old man sheA cat-and-mouse psychotic thriller as incisive as it is stylish, Hard Candy delivers a provocative take on the revenge drama while jangling nerves at every turn. The film plunges us into an unstable universe where we cannot readily identify the "good guy" in the tense confrontation between a 14-year-old girl and the 32-year-old man she suspects of pedophilia and murder. (Lionsgate)… Expand

Director: David Slade

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 104 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Eric Campos

A tough sit, but it attracts more than repels you. It commands your attention. Once it lands its hooks in you, there's no tearing away. Read full review

Lawrence Toppman

The film was reputedly inspired by Japanese teens who trolled chat rooms to find predators, made assignments, then ganged up to beat offending adults. Read full review

James Berardinelli

These are two fascinating characters, and watching them thrust and parry proves to be as impossible to turn away from as observing a grotesque roadside accident. Read full review

Peter Debruge

The most extreme English-language studio release I've seen in years. Read full review

Ty Burr

Hard Candy is the rare movie that may be worthiest for the arguments you'll have after it's over. Read full review

Gene Seymour

As gripping as Hard Candy is, one can't quite shake the feeling that we're the ones being exploited by its mordant blend of kinky revenge fantasy and push-me-pull-you moral vision. Read full review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Tautly directed by David Slade, this drama probably offers more sadism than anyone could possibly want...The characters are absurd, but if you're up for this sort of thing, then surely you can con yourself into accepting them. Personally, I'd rather have this movie obliterated from my memory. Read full review

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User Reviews

JulioP.

Apr 28, 2006

Truly sadism at its best, and quite possibly the most terrifying film since Takashi Miike's "Audition." Though the "Hard Candy" plot is not as involved as the other, it remains a satisfying as an ultimate voyeur.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

KyleK.

Jul 21, 2008

A raw, disturbing film that keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. This is a hard film to watch. Its not for everybody (remorseless torture is involved) but for those who aren't bothered by its explicit subject matter, this is a must see. If for nothing else watch it A raw, disturbing film that keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. This is a hard film to watch. Its not for everybody (remorseless torture is involved) but for those who aren't bothered by its explicit subject matter, this is a must see. If for nothing else watch it for the performances. Patrick Wilson and Ellen Page are phenominal (probably the best two performances of 2006).… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

gagaforever

Sep 20, 2010

A very disturbing, but great movie. When I first saw that Ellen Page was the lead I watched it. I soon found out that young people are not always innocent. The last line of the movie when she says "Or Not" really shows that if you are convincing you can get anyone to believe you. AA very disturbing, but great movie. When I first saw that Ellen Page was the lead I watched it. I soon found out that young people are not always innocent. The last line of the movie when she says "Or Not" really shows that if you are convincing you can get anyone to believe you. A shocking thrill ride that will make you cringe, cry and maybe even smile a little… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

JimH.

Jul 16, 2008

Provocative subject, striking visuals, and the first evidence of Ellen Page's obvious talent.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

ERG1008

Aug 19, 2010

Man meets young girl on Internet, lots in common, meet at coffee shop, go back to his house, get drunk, gets weird.
Thriller that tackles a difficult subject but plays it out well helped by the brilliant Ellen Page.
It has its uneasy moments but it's very well written & you're never reallyMan meets young girl on Internet, lots in common, meet at coffee shop, go back to his house, get drunk, gets weird.
Thriller that tackles a difficult subject but plays it out well helped by the brilliant Ellen Page.
It has its uneasy moments but it's very well written & you're never really sure, even after the end credits, of what was what & who did what.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MarkJ.

Jan 2, 2007

Hard Candy does not surprise in its ability to leave an audience shell shocked whilst failing to achieve critical acclaim. A brave narrative which revolves around the dialogue between an unbelievably psychotic teenager and a middle aged man seeking sex with minors never goes further than Hard Candy does not surprise in its ability to leave an audience shell shocked whilst failing to achieve critical acclaim. A brave narrative which revolves around the dialogue between an unbelievably psychotic teenager and a middle aged man seeking sex with minors never goes further than cliched one-upmanship which becomes as irritating as it is pointless. If your up for a shock thriller which ultimately leaves you knowing nothing more of the characters than you do after 20 minutes, then this will probably be an entertaing 90 minutes, otherwise avoid this at all costs, you'll only be left feeling cheated that you attempted to invest any emotion in what are two poorly structured and equally un-appealing characters.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

Mike

Oct 9, 2006

The first 15 mins of the movie, were great! Very interesting and it kept me interested in what would have happened next. But then it went down hill it kept on getting more and more unbelievable, stay away from this movie!

0 of 2 users found this helpful

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61	#61 Most Discussed Movie of 2006
33	#33 Most Shared Movie of 2006