Tubi Tuesday: Candy Land (2022)

“Candy Land” is a different type of slasher that unabashedly dives into the lives of four truck-stop sex workers.

Set in the 1990s, Candy Land follows Sadie, Riley, Levi, and Liv (Sam Quartin, Eden Brolin, Owen Campbell, and Virginia Rand), sex workers who work the truck stop at Exit 16 off Route 66. They ease the loneliness of truckers and…anyone else who happens to stop by for a quickie.

The four live in a run-down motel where they pay for room and board to a “madam” Nora (Guinevere Turner).

The beginning pulls no punches as we’re introduced to the four as they go about their day. We see them servicing clients and hanging out and talking during their downtime. The four stick together and look out for one another.

A Christian group pulls up in a van, and their leader attempts to proselytize. We get a glimpse of a young woman who is visibly disturbed in the backseat. 

After a man is found dead in the bathroom at the local convenience store, their lives change.

Shortly after the murder is discovered, they cross paths with Remy (Olivia Luccardi), who was the young woman with the Christian group in the van. The group takes Remy in when they find her abandoned at the truck stop.

Soon, the bodies begin to pile up.

Written and directed by John Swab, Candyland has a gritty grindhouse feel to it with explicit sex and some gore. 

The movie has an even tone to it; it’s not glamorizing sex work, nor is it preaching against it.

The characters exist three-dimensionally in their setting, brought to life by a talented cast who work together flawlessly. The characters aren’t portrayed as two-dimensional stereotypes. They are just trying to get by the best way they know how.

Luccardi is a stand-out in her role as Remy, but I don’t want to give too much away. The plot is fresh, unpredictable, and full of twists and turns. 

If you’re up for something different and love slashers and grindhouse-style movies, I recommend giving Candy Land a watch.