I’ll be completely honest: Ryan Coogler’s Sinners was NOT on my radar. I think it’s because I hadn’t seen it talked about much on horror sites. Maybe because Coogler isn’t known for horror? As the director of films like Black Panther, Fruitvale Station, and Creed, he’s typically helmed more commercial, big-budget films.
But when I started seeing reviews pop up for it (and who doesn’t love Michael B. Jordan?) I was eager to get to the theater to see what it was about. I knew only one thing about this movie going in – that there were vampires. I knew nothing else. Boy, was I in for a surprise and a tremendous treat!
Sinners is fresh, deep, complex, magical, and emotional.
Sinners isn’t a typical horror film or slasher movie at all. I don’t even know how to categorize it exactly!
Set against the solemn backdrop of 1930’s Mississippi, the vibe of Sinners is already weighty before things even get going.
Taking on the roles of savvy businessman brothers “Smoke” and “Stack,” Michael B. Jordan brings it all to the table and then some. The distinct personalities he created for each character make both roles sizzle and come to life with more depth and feeling than any characters I’ve seen in a long time.
The plot instantly grabs you as Smoke and Stack work to set up a new business venture for themselves, a ‘juke joint’ with entertainment provided by their precociously talented young cousin, Sammie, whose pastor father wishes his son would stay far away from the rambling, devilish life of a musician.
“You keep dancing with the devil… one day he’s gonna follow you home.”
Smoke and Stack haven’t led a very moral life, and they’re endeavoring to create a legitimate business for themselves and a brighter future, with the aid of people from their past to deliver a relaxing environment for the community that spends its days laboring under the hot sun. Their juke joint will be a place of respite, fun, laughter, and camaraderie for the townspeople, and hopefully turn a legal profit for the money-minded twins.
There are scenes in Sinners that brought me to tears from the sheer beauty; clever, snappy dialogue that commands attention; and characters that you get so invested in that each one becomes precious and relevant – so much so that you worry who may live and who may die, in earnest.
The horror element, which is, of course, vampires, almost seems secondary to the real story here, which is that of family, love, loyalty, and friendship. The vampires that threaten these values and the joy of the of Smoke and Stack’s dance hall patrons are more than a bloodthirsty plot device – they’re representative of the multitude of threats that befell the happiness of the Black community during this turbulent historical era, including but not limited to poverty, religious hypocrisy, and racism.
Part of the Sinners’ charm is that for the first half of the film, you’re watching an engaging period drama, but by the end, it’s a blood-soaked scare fest that ratchets up in intensity until its fever-pitch ending. The combination of the creative, heartfelt storytelling, outstanding visuals, and catchy music makes for a moviegoing experience that is top-tier.
Movies like Sinners are why I fell in love with cinema.
To feel transported to another time and place entirely, to be so caught up in characters that you sob when they die, to be so moved that you weep… Well, you can’t discount that, and it’s rare to be sure. I love leaving a horror movie in tears. That’s the mark of a great film!
Though (of course) there’s been talk of a sequel due to the Sinners’ stellar success, Ryan Coogler has said that he will not be involved in any sequels to this film, as it’s a self-contained story and ended exactly how it should. I agree! I think too many successful movies garner unnecessary sequels.
A film as perfect and amazing as Sinners should be left as a standalone story, and I’m certain that upon repeated viewings, there’s more to glean from this movie. I know there are lots of things I missed the first time I saw it in the theater.
Sinners is being hailed as a “genre crossing” film, and I can see why.
To be fair, despite its success with all audiences, I’d still bill Sinners as horror. Whether you’re speaking on the supernatural element or the horror of how human beings can treat others, it’s HORROR all the same, just through a different lens.
Sinners has broken records to become the single highest-grossing original theatrical horror film of all time in the United States and abroad. What are you waiting for? Sinners is finally out of theaters and available to watch via streaming! You can check it out using any of HorrorFam.com’s JustWatch affiliate buttons below:
Images for this review were purchased via CineMaterial and MovieStillsDB.
Nice review. I’m curious to watch.