Ryan Reynolds, serving as a producer on the documentary John Candy: I Like Me, has highlighted actor John Candy’s little-known battle with mental health. The film sheds light on Candy’s life, revealing how much he wrestled with anxiety and the challenges of being a people pleaser during a time when mental health was rarely discussed. Reynolds shared these revelations at the documentary’s world premiere on September 4 at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), emphasizing how Candy’s struggles shaped his life and premature death.
The documentary offers an intimate look at John Candy’s legacy since his sudden passing at the age of 43 from a heart attack. Reynolds described a side of Candy that was unexpected—a man with a deep spiritual core who was quietly dealing with issues that many couldn’t talk about openly back then. Reynolds explained that Candy’s personality as a people pleaser complicated his ability to address his mental health openly, creating an internal conflict that likely affected him profoundly.
I didn’t know that he had this sort of spiritual bedrock to him,
Reynolds told Francesca Amiker of E! News.
I wasn’t aware, that he kind of lived at this intersection of being a people pleaser but also starting to kind of work on mental health, which is something nobody talked about back then. It’s still a little, you know, tricky to talk about but if you’re a people pleaser and you are dealing with mental health issues.
Reynolds illustrated that this combination can be toxic because a people pleaser tends to avoid burdening others with their problems, but confronting mental health difficulties often requires open communication—something at odds with that inclination.
It’s actually a really terrible combination because, you know, you, you’re the people pleaser never wants to burden anybody else and the only way to really kind of deal with stuff you’re going through is to talk about it. They’re kind of at odds with one another.
The Impact of Candy’s Mental Health on His Life and Untimely Passing
Ryan Reynolds noted that understanding Candy’s mental health struggles alongside his own experiences gave new weight to Candy’s early death. The former Saturday Night Live star openly suffered from anxiety and panic attacks during his life, and Reynolds indicated that these issues deeply affected his well-being. The tension between Candy’s desire to please and his growing need to confront his mental health challenges may have influenced his tragic fate.
That’s kind of where he lived and I think it really did affect him in ways both deep and tragically, to be honest,
Reynolds said.
I think it was sort of a contributing factor to how he left us so soon.
The documentary reinforces this theme by including reflections from other voices in entertainment. Conan O’Brien pointed out that the industry can be especially taxing on individuals who feel compelled to constantly please others, comparing it to an endless demand that never relents.
You can’t really do favors for people,
O’Brien remarked.
It’s a bottomless cup of coffee.
Though John Candy attained remarkable success and was beloved for his humor, there was a persistent undercurrent of pain and struggle beneath the surface.
Steve Martin expressed this clearly in the documentary‘s trailer:
You know, there’s some things that are just painful. That’s it. And you can’t make ’em not painful. But it’s the face you put on the world that defines who you are.
John Candy’s Legacy of Warmth and Compassion
Despite his internal battles, Candy’s public persona remained one of joy and kindness, qualities that deeply affected those around him. Macaulay Culkin, Candy’s co-star in Home Alone, recalled the genuine care that Candy showed, which stood out in an industry where such compassion was rare.
I remember John caring, Culkin shared,
when not a lot of people did.
The documentary, which streams on Prime Video beginning October 10, offers audiences a chance to reflect on Candy’s complex humanity and the silent struggles faced by many in Hollywood during his era. Reynolds’ involvement and commentary provide an important reminder of the need to address mental health openly and compassionately, especially for those who feel compelled to put on a brave face at all times.
Upcoming Film Releases to Watch in Late 2025
Alongside the premiere of John Candy: I Like Me, several notable movies are set to debut in late 2025, spanning various genres and themes. These include:
1. Weapons – August 8, 2025
When nearly an entire class of children disappears simultaneously, the community is left to unravel the mystery behind the vanishing. The film stars Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, and Alden Ehrenreich. It will be available in theaters.
2. Freakier Friday – August 8, 2025
This sequel to the 2003 body-swap comedy reunites Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis. It will be shown in theaters.
3. Highest 2 Lowest – August 15, 2025
Spike Lee directs this crime thriller starring Denzel Washington, Jeffrey Wright, and A$AP Rocky, focusing on a music mogul ensnared in a ransom plot. It premieres in theaters and streams on Apple TV+ starting September 5.
4. The Map That Leads To You – August 20, 2025
A romantic drama featuring KJ Apa and Madelyn Cline about two strangers who meet while traveling across Europe and embark on a journey of self-discovery. Available to stream on Prime Video.
5. Honey Don’t! – August 22, 2025
This dark comedy stars Margaret Qualley and Aubrey Plaza, following a small-town investigator unraveling strange deaths linked to a secretive church. In theaters.
6. Eden – August 22, 2025
Ron Howard’s survival thriller depicts a group of outsiders seeking a fresh start on an uninhabited island. Featuring Jude Law, Ana de Armas, and others, it will be released in theaters.
7. Americana – August 22, 2025
A modern western starring Sydney Sweeney, Paul Walter Hauser, Halsey, and Eric Dane that revolves around conflicts over a rare Native American artifact. Coming to theaters.
8. The Thursday Murder Club – August 28, 2025
A crime comedy with Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, and Ben Kingsley about a group of retirees solving cold cases for fun. Streaming on Netflix.
9. Caught Stealing – August 29, 2025
Austin Butler and Zoe Kravitz star in this crime caper about a former baseball star who becomes entangled with gangsters while caring for a neighbor’s cat. In theaters.
10. Twinless – September 5, 2025
Scheduled for theaters, details are currently limited.
11. The Conjuring: Last Rites – September 5, 2025
The ninth film in the Conjuring universe reunites Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson as paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. Released in theaters.
12. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale – September 12, 2025
The final installment in the period drama franchise with Hugh Bonneville and others returning. Available in theaters.
13. The Long Walk – September 12, 2025
Adapted from Stephen King’s novel, this dystopian walking contest drama will hit theaters.
14. Him – September 19, 2025
Jordan Peele-produced sports horror featuring Tyriq Withers and Marlon Wayans, portraying a rising football star encountering eerie challenges. In theaters.
15. Swiped – September 19, 2025
Inspired by true events, Lily James stars as Whitney Wolfe, who created the dating app Bumble. Streaming on Hulu.
16. A Big Bold Beautiful Journey – September 19, 2025
Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie lead this romantic drama revolving around two strangers who relive pivotal moments from their pasts. In theaters.
17. Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie – September 26, 2025
Based on the popular Netflix series, this family film follows Gabby and her Grandma Gigi on a quest to save the dollhouse, featuring Gloria Estefan and Kristen Wiig. In theaters.
18. One Battle After Another – September 26, 2025
Paul Thomas Anderson’s crime drama stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn, focused on ex-revolutionaries reuniting for a rescue mission. Theatrical release.
19. The Strangers – Chapter 2 – September 26, 2025
Madelaine Petsch reprises her role in this horror sequel about a masked killer trio. In theaters.
20. The Smashing Machine – October 3, 2025
True story of UFC fighter Mark Kerr starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt. In theaters.
21. Roofman – October 10, 2025
Channing Tatum stars in this crime drama based on a true story about a hardened father leading a double life in a Toys “R” Us store. In theaters.
22. After the Hunt – October 10, 2025
Directed by Luca Guadagnino, this psychological drama starring Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield explores personal and professional conflicts. Available in theaters in New York and Los Angeles with expansion later.
23. The Woman in Cabin 10 – October 10, 2025
Based on Ruth Ware’s novel, this thriller starring Keira Knightley centers on a journalist investigating a disappearance on a luxury cruise. Streaming on Netflix.
24. Kiss of the Spider Woman – October 10, 2025
Jennifer Lopez and Diego Luna star in this adaptation of the acclaimed novel and Broadway musical. Theatrical release.
25. Tron: Ares – October 10, 2025
The third entry in the Tron series featuring Jared Leto and Jeff Bridges will debut in theaters.
26. Black Phone 2 – October 17, 2025
Ethan Hawke returns as The Grabber in this horror sequel focused on supernatural vengeance. In theaters.
27. Good Fortune – October 17, 2025
Keanu Reeves stars as an angel interfering in human lives alongside Aziz Ansari and Seth Rogen in this theatrical release.
28. Mortal Kombat II – October 24, 2025
The latest Mortal Kombat film battles against Shao Kahn’s dark rule, starring Karl Urban and others, coming to theaters.
29. Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere – October 24, 2025
Jeremy Allen White portrays Bruce Springsteen in this biopic about the making of the Nebraska album. Theatrical release.
30. Regretting You – October 24, 2025
Allison Williams and Mckenna Grace star in this film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, available in theaters.
Reflecting on the Importance of Mental Health Awareness
Ryan Reynolds’ revelations about John Candy’s hidden struggles serve as a somber reminder of how mental health issues can remain concealed even in the lives of beloved figures. The challenges Candy faced in balancing his role as a people pleaser with his internal anxieties illustrate the ongoing stigma surrounding mental health care. This issue continues to resonate today, as many still grapple with expressing their vulnerabilities in public or professional settings.
The documentary John Candy: I Like Me opens a window into these complex emotions, offering a tribute not only to Candy’s comedic genius but to his humanity. It also signals a call for greater empathy and understanding for those living with mental health burdens, especially in high-pressure environments like the entertainment industry.
Reynolds’ involvement ensures that Candy’s story reaches a wide audience, fostering a conversation around mental health that was nearly impossible during Candy’s time, but remains urgently necessary now.
