Black Panther director Ryan Coogler’s latest film, Sinners, was released in theaters on April 17. The film stars Michael B. Jordan as the “Smokestack Twins,” twin gangsters returning home to rural Mississippi at the height of prohibition. The twins are joined by their cousin, aspiring blues singer Sammie “Preacher Boy” Moore, for the opening night of their less-than-legal drinking establishment, Club Juke. Things take a turn, however, when a trio of oddly friendly, oddly pale out-of-towners show up, who just want to be let in…
Sinners is unlike many of its blockbuster contemporaries in that it is a fully fleshed-out, self-contained story. Not to mention that, unlike its contemporaries, it’s actually good. The film manages to balance both supernatural horror and engrossing character drama in a way that few other movies can. The first act is nearly completely devoid of any supernatural happenings, giving room for the world and characters to fully develop before the blood starts flowing. But once it does, Sinners does not disappoint, ratcheting up the tension to deliver incredible horror. In many respects, the movie feels as if it came out of a time capsule from another era of cinema, calling to mind the best aspects of classic horror films. By the end, Sinners pulls off one of the rarest tricks a movie can: leaving the audience satisfied and hungry for more.
All of the main characters are entertaining, believable, and interesting, aided immensely by strong performances from everyone involved. Of particular note is Jordan, playing two nearly identical characters cannot have been easy, yet he manages to make both feel completely distinct and memorable in their own right. Jack O’Connell also delivers an electrifying performance as the film’s villain and is probably one of the only people who can make Irish step-dancing look intimidating.
And of course, there’s the music. The original score provided by Ludwig Göransson is incredible and among the composer’s best works. But even beyond the soundtrack, the movie oozes music out of its very core. Music is absolutely central to Sinners, playing a large role in defining the film’s identity, both narratively and thematically. Stripped to its basics, Sinners is a story about music, how it shapes and is shaped by culture, and how it can be appropriated, stolen, and erased by those seeking to use it for their own twisted ends. Plus, it has Michael B. Jordan killing vampires and Klansmen, so that’s pretty cool.
Sinners delivers a powerful story that doesn’t compromise on narrative, characters, or scares. The film is a tour de force in nearly every respect and is certainly one of Coogler’s best. Fortunately, Sinners is getting the recognition it deserves. At the time of writing, the movie has cleared over $280 million at the box office, and the reviews have been nothing short of glowing. Audiences are certainly hungry for more movies like Sinners, which put in the work to tell an engaging story.
