A masterclass in direction, screenwriting and acting, Hard Candy goes for the jugular and never lets up.

Full Review | Original Score: 4.5/5 | Nov 27, 2023

David Slade's directorial feature is low key a secret rape/revenge film that features powerhouse performances from Elliot Page and Patrick Wilson and plenty of uncomfortable moments.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 23, 2023

Nelson's taut, smart script and believable dialogue keeps the tension crackling throughout the 103-minute running time, changing gears just when you think you've got it all figured out.

Full Review | Original Score: 4.5/5 | Dec 2, 2020

Director David Slade and screenwriter Brian Nelson lack the courage or creative smarts to give us even a hint of erotic frisson...

Full Review | May 12, 2020

Hard Candy offers so little that is plausible or insightful about human behavior.

Full Review | Jan 29, 2020

Blake Nelson's script is unsettling at times, but it isn't afraid to tackle a difficult subject. Only in the final act does the script start to lose its sharpness.

Full Review | Original Score: B | Nov 20, 2019

A loose film, which is provocative and scandalous. But the only thing it causes is boredom. [Full Review in Spanish]

Full Review | Jun 28, 2019

It is indeed an uncomfortable subject. But Slade handles it well, and he is aided most ably by the crackling screenplay by Brian Nelson and the two stellar leads.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jun 5, 2019

An exploitation of a set of themes rather than a thoughtful consideration of them, and celebrates their austere nature in a stampede of scenes that cause only surface discomfort.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Apr 6, 2016

Personally, I'd rather have this movie obliterated from my memory.

Full Review | Nov 15, 2011

One of the more original and grueling films to come out in years and I loved it...

Full Review | Mar 30, 2010

Slick slime wrapped as a high-toned, girl-power shocker

Full Review | Aug 30, 2009

Wilson and Page are compelling and Slade demonstrates a slick stylistic flair, but the over over-the-top shock pandering renders the dark lesson convoluted and hard to swallow.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Apr 23, 2009

British director David Slade announces himself as a master of economy and discrimination by leaving the horror to the audience's imagination. This movie will make you squirm like you've never squirmed before.

Full Review | Original Score: A- | Apr 15, 2009

Slade and his actors keep the tension high, and the questions don't come to mind until after the credits roll.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 7, 2008

... [I]t's Page who really carries the picture, delivering screenwriter Brian Nelson's clever dialogue so convincingly, we actually become scared for the child predator that she's tormenting.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jun 18, 2008

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 7, 2007

It's the kind of indie film that makes its mark by a controversial theme, an infamous scene, and dines out on its film-festival buzz.

Full Review | Original Score: C- | Oct 20, 2007

Thoroughly confounding the 'normal' relationship between abuser and victim, first-time director Slade presents a complex morality tale under the guise of an exploitation thriller.

Full Review | Jun 15, 2007

The film's strength is in the way it continually sustains suspense, particularly in the use of sound effects. Very little is shown, but much is heard.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 8, 2007