“Sinners” (2025)

Horror

Running Time: 100 minutes

Written & directed by: Ryan Coogler

Featuring: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller and Delroy Lindo

Jedidiah: “You keep dancing with the devil… one day he’s gonna follow you home.”

Ryan Coogler’s Sinners is a film that defies easy categorization. It’s a heady mix of historical drama, supernatural horror, musical, and action thriller, all set against the backdrop of the American South in 1932. Coogler reunites with his frequent collaborator, Michael B. Jordan, who delivers a powerful dual performance as twin brothers Smoke and Stack. This ambitious project is both a testament to Coogler’s visionary storytelling and a complex, sometimes messy, exploration of American history, race, and the enduring power of music.

The film immerses the viewer in the sweltering, segregated world of Mississippi during the Jim Crow era. Coogler meticulously crafts the atmosphere, from the dusty cotton fields to the vibrant, yet precarious, juke joints that serve as sanctuaries for the Black community. The production design is stunning, and the cinematography captures both the beauty and the brutality of the landscape.

Smoke and Stack return to their hometown after years away, bearing both the scars of their past and the ambition to build a better future. They pool their resources to open a juke joint, a place where their community can gather, celebrate, and find respite from the oppressive realities of their lives. Jordan’s portrayal of the twins is a highlight of the film. He imbues Smoke with a quiet intensity and a haunted past, while Stack is more charismatic and prone to impulsive action. The supporting cast is equally strong, with standout performances from:

Miles Caton as Sammie, their musically gifted cousin, whose talent becomes a focal point of the unfolding supernatural events.

Music is not merely a backdrop in Sinners; it’s a central character and a powerful force. Coogler explores the deep connection between Black American music, particularly the blues, and spirituality. The film posits that this music can transcend the boundaries between the living and the dead, attracting both beauty and danger.

Sammie’s extraordinary musical talent draws the attention of a sinister presence, embodied by the enigmatic Remmick (Jack O’Connell). Remmick’s arrival marks a shift in the film, as the historical drama elements give way to a more overt horror narrative. The film blends vampire mythology with elements of Southern Gothic and African folklore, creating a unique and unsettling supernatural world.

Sinners is not just a horror film; it’s deeply engaged with themes of race, cultural appropriation, and the legacy of slavery. The vampires in the film can be interpreted as a metaphor for the predatory forces that have historically exploited and oppressed Black communities. The film explores how cultural expressions, including music, can be both a source of strength and a target for appropriation.

The narrative also delves into the characters’ personal struggles for redemption and their search for a place to belong. Smoke and Stack are haunted by their pasts, and their desire to build a juke joint is tied to their yearning for a sense of home and community.

Sinners is a film of immense ambition and undeniable power. Coogler’s direction is masterful, and the film is visually stunning, with a rich and evocative atmosphere. The performances are uniformly excellent, and the film’s exploration of music and its spiritual significance is both captivating and thought-provoking.

However, the film’s ambition can also be its downfall. At times, the sheer number of ideas and genres it juggles can feel overwhelming, leading to moments of tonal inconsistency and narrative messiness. The shift from historical drama to supernatural horror, while intriguing, is not always seamless. Some subplots could have been more fully developed, and the film’s pacing occasionally falters.

Despite its flaws, Sinners is a bold and unforgettable cinematic experience. It’s a film that lingers in the mind, prompting reflection on its complex themes and its powerful imagery. Coogler has crafted a unique and challenging work that blends genres and defies expectations. It is a film that is sure to be discussed and debated for years to come.