After two largely successful comic book adaptations and carrying on the “Rocky” franchise, director Ryan Coogler worked with actor Michael B. Jordan to direct his first original film, the vampire thriller “Sinners.” The film was released on Friday, Apr. 18 and was met with phenomenal critical success. It was hailed as one of the best films in the past decade, with numerous positive reviews and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 98%. The film prides itself on being technically advanced as it utilizes IMAX 70mm film, presenting the story in an expanded aspect ratio that shows more than standard movie screens.
“Sinners” revolves around two twin brothers, Smoke and Stack, both played by Jordan. After taking part in war, the brothers return to their hometown of Clarksdale, Mississippi, in order to fulfill their dream of starting their own juke joint of blues music. The twins reconnect with old lovers and relatives alike, a prominent one being their younger cousin and the son of a local preacher, Sammie. When all seems well in a night filled with music and relationships rekindled, as the night falls, the trio soon realizes that their hometown is plagued with vampires along with others who are out to hunt them, and they have to survive the opening night of their own joint.
The film is a rich, vibrant portrait of life in the South during the 30s, a peak time of Jim Crow laws. The portrait isn’t pretty, but it’s deeply impactful. Coogler immerses the audience into this time period with authentic set pieces, down to the minute details such as costumes, accents and overall architecture, as well the cast’s performances. Jordan is one of the main selling points of this film, as through digital magic, he is able to seamlessly interact with himself in scenes where he is hugging himself, passing himself a cigarette, or even fighting himself. However, where the brilliance comes out is in the subtle differences that the audience picks up between twins Smoke and Stack. While they both don the same physical features, Smoke presents himself as more mature and takes charge, while Stack likes to live life on the edge, always sporting a sly grin with a sense of immaturity. Debut actor Miles Caton, who plays their younger cousin Sammie, also offers a standout performance in the film, as he is both musically and theatrically talented in the film, meshing well with veteran actor Jordan.
It’s hard to pinpoint what exactly “Sinners” is: it’s a vampire thriller, it’s a musical, it’s a romance film, but that’s really what makes it so special because there is something in the film for everyone to appreciate. Coogler has always had a deep appreciation for blues music, stating in an interview that it is “our country’s greatest contribution to global culture.” In “Sinners,” the blues isn’t just background music — it’s the film’s heartbeat. The movie dives deep into the cultural and emotional power of blues music as both a form of resistance as well as a way to bring the characters together, as they bond over the music they play and use it to overpower evil. All the musical scenes in the juke joint feel alive and immediate, where blues becomes a language for characters to communicate joy and resilience. Using cinematic strings and layered choral elements, Ludwig Goransson crafts a score that honors the authenticity of blues music while amplifying its emotional resonance on screen. In numerous tracks, notably in the track “I Lied to You” by Miles Caton, he is able to combine elements of traditional blues music with more modern elements like synth waves and beats to portray the power of music and how timeless it is.
On top of having an incredible score, the film is a visual spectacle. Taking full advantage of its expanded aspect ratio with IMAX 70mm, the film offers breathtaking visuals ranging from basic shots of nature and sunset to high-octane fight sequences. Even when a majority of the film takes place in the night or in the dimly-lit juke joint, the audience is able to see so much going on at once with the help of unique camera angles and one-take sequences. One of the most memorable moments in the film follows Caton’s character, Sammie, singing in the juke joint. As he performs, dancers from all different backgrounds, cultures, and styles of music appear in the form of spirits, showcasing the diversity and power of music.
There’s a lot to unpack with this film’s message as well. “Sinners” explores the cultural significance of Black experiences in the Jim Crow era through a horror lens, using the metaphor of vampires and supernatural horror to comment on historical injustice. It is able to authentically showcase the vibrant Black community at the time, through aspects such as church life, blues music, and communal spaces like juke joints, hubs of Black culture and resistance at the time. Furthermore, it uses vampires to represent entities that try to invade and leech off of the talents and energy of black people, highlighting how white society would often profit from Black creativity and culture. Through telling the stories of racial oppression as well as the immigrant’s journey through the story of the twins, Coogler delivers a multifaceted, rich tale.
This powerful messaging is reinforced by the deliberate character development and pacing of the film. The film takes its time to get started, with the first hour being solely about the twins meeting the ensemble characters and setting up the juke joint. While it does take a little bit for the film to really get the wheels rolling, every scene is crucial in helping the audience to get to know the characters’ backstories and really feel for them when the vampires are introduced, making the second act much more emotionally profound.
Sinners is a masterwork of genre fusion and cultural storytelling, boldly original yet deeply rooted in history. Ryan Coogler delivers a film that is not only visually stunning and musically rich, but also emotionally resonant and thematically daring. By combining blues music, supernatural horror, and heartfelt drama, he crafts an experience that celebrates Black resilience, creativity, and community. With unforgettable performances and a narrative that lingers long after the credits roll, Sinners proves itself as not just one of the standout films of the year, but a defining work of the decade.
RATING: 5/5
This story was originally published on El Estoque on April 25, 2025.