Set in the Mississippi Delta in 1932, in the heart of the Jim Crow South, Sinners plunges audiences into a world steeped in historical hardship, soulful music, and a chilling supernatural terror. The film, a bold and original work from writer-director Ryan Coogler, is an atmospheric blend of period drama and visceral horror, anchored by a powerful dual performance from Michael B. Jordan.
Jordan stars as twin brothers Smoke and Stack Moore, World War I veterans who have returned to their hometown of Clarksdale after years spent working in the criminal underworld of Chicago. They’ve come back with a suitcase full of stolen money and a plan: to open a juke joint where their community can find a safe haven from the pervasive racial violence and oppression of the era. The twins are as different as they are alike, with Smoke being the more grounded and cautious of the two, while Stack is charismatic and prone to risk. Jordan’s ability to create two distinct and emotionally resonant characters is a standout element of the film, making their complex fraternal bond the heart of the story.
The brothers enlist the help of their cousin, Sammie (Miles Caton, in a remarkable debut performance), a gifted young guitarist and singer whose music seems to transcend time and space. Despite the warnings of his preacher father, Jedidiah (Saul Williams), about the "sinful" nature of blues music and the juke joint life, Sammie is drawn to the promise of a place where his talent can flourish. They also bring on a cast of memorable characters to help run the club, including the wise and soulful pianist Delta Slim (Delroy Lindo), Smoke's estranged wife Annie (Wunmi Mosaku), and Stack's old flame Mary (Hailee Steinfeld).
The opening night of the juke joint is a celebration of music, community, and defiance in the face of a hostile world. The vibrant, pulsating energy of the blues fills the screen, creating a sense of joy and hope. However, this powerful and transcendent music also draws the attention of an ancient evil. The festivities are interrupted by the arrival of Remmick (Jack O’Connell), an enigmatic Irish immigrant, and his followers, who are not what they seem. A tension builds as the twins, suspicious of the newcomers, deny them entry. What begins as a period drama about community and ambition quickly morphs into a harrowing tale of survival as the characters find themselves under siege by a sinister, supernatural force.
Sinners skillfully uses the vampire mythos as a potent metaphor for cultural appropriation, historical trauma, and the insidious nature of oppression. The horror is not just from the fanged creatures outside the doors of the juke joint, but also from the very real human evils lurking within and around the town. The film explores the idea of identity and what it means to be truly free, with the vampires offering a dangerous and deceptive form of immortality and community in exchange for a loss of self.
Coogler masterfully balances the film's genre elements with its deeper themes, creating a movie that is both a thrilling and bloody spectacle and a profoundly moving commentary on the Black experience in America. The cinematography is stunning, utilizing deep shadows and rich contrasts to create a moody and atmospheric world. The sound design and musical score, composed by Ludwig Göransson, are crucial to the film's immersive and emotional impact. Sinners is a film that demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible, with a captivating story, powerhouse performances, and a vision that is both unique and ambitious.
Sinners is a 2025 horror movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 27 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7 and a MetaScore of 84.
