Review of Hard Candy (2005) by Sofia D — 02 Apr 2015

At times hard to watch, this movie gives you something to think about, raising questions that linger long after the theater lights have brightened. Does Jeff deserve what he gets or does he become a victim at some point? Is Hayley a feminist heroine or a nut-job? ''Hard Candy" wants you to wonder which is the more warped desire, forbidden sex or blind vengeance, and it asks, too, if there's an acceptable line between keeping unseemly thoughts in our heads and acting upon them.

However, the movie's creepiest paradox is that the gamine young creature might be the pervert in the room. In the end, this movie that may be worthiest for the arguments you'll have after it's over, for it raises serious questions about point of view and empathy in the exploitation genre.