The dossier
The smiling killer of Wylie
Candy Montgomery is the picture of 1980s suburban perfection. She is active in the church, a devoted mother, and relentlessly cheerful, meticulously masking a deep, suffocating boredom with her predictable life.
Whether portrayed by Jessica Biel or Elizabeth Olsen, the character’s terror lies in her absolute normalcy. She commits an act of unimaginable brutality and then simply goes back to her daily routine, hosting baby showers as if nothing happened.
She is a fascinating, chilling exploration of repression. Candy Montgomery proves that the most violent, explosive rage can often hide behind a perfectly baked casserole and a polite, church-going smile.