维吉尼亚·马德森饰演的学者海伦,正在研究一个流行于美国民间的传说:“糖果人”是一个死人,他用铁钩代替自己失去的右手。只要对着镜子连叫五声他的名字,他就会带着铁钩来到你身边,并且成为你这一生中最后见到的东西。海伦来到芝加哥展开实地调查,一连串谋杀案亦陆续发生……Helen Lyle is a student who decides to write a thesis about local legends and myths. She visits a part of the town, where she learns about the legend of the Candyman, a one-armed man who appears when you say his name five times, in front of a mirror. Of course, Helen doesn't believe all this stuff, but the people of the area are really afraid. When she ignores their warnings and begins her investigation in the places that he is rumored to appear, a series of horrible murders begins. Could the legend be true?