The thesis research of folklore graduate student Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen) leads her into the urban underworld of Chicago's Cabrini Green housing projects. There the residents are genuinely terrified of Candyman (Tony Todd), a legendary figure with a hook for a hand. Skeptical, she 'summons' him in front of a mirror and discovers with horror that he's real and very deadly. This surprisingly taut horror thriller is based on Clive Barker's 'The Forbidden'. Barker also executive-produces.