“Sinners”
Release date: April 18, 2025
Rated: R
Genre: Horror/Mystery & Thriller/Drama
Running time: 2h 17m
8/10
Renowned producer and director Ryan Coogler strikes again with the long-awaited film “Sinners,” starring Miles Caton and Michael B. Jordan, which hit theaters on April 18, 2025.
Set in 1932 during a period of deep racial segregation and inequality in the United States, “Sinners” revolves around a violent, spiritual journey entwined with soulful melodies that attract the most unexpected guest.
Caton’s performance stands out for its understated strength starring as a young man named Sammie, known in town as “Preacher Boy”. It’s clear early on that Sammie feels torn between honoring his father’s faith-driven expectations and chasing the freedom he finds in the blues. Jordan’s acting shines through in dual roles as Sammie’s cousins Smoke and Stack. Smoke plays as the strict, no-nonsense brother who takes his business very seriously and respect to him is everything.
Throughout the film we can see that when it comes to Stack, Smoke’s character as the ‘oldest’ brother takes center stage, and he is willing to do anything in order to protect Stack even from their own family members. Stack, on the other hand, is more easygoing and less ‘cutthroat’ than Smoke. Jordan’s acting skills are truly revealed as he accurately portrays both characters with distinct feelings, thoughts, and experiences. Acting as two separate people and not blurring the lines between both is a true strength Jordan shows throughout his performance.
Together the trio travels around the town as they bargain and reacquaint themselves with people from their past who they hope to enlist for the opening of the twins’ new juke joint. They enlist several old friends, including blues player Delta Slim played by Delroy Lindo, Cook and bartender Annie, a former lover of Smoke, played by Wunmi Mosaku. The married couple Bo Chow and Grace Chow, played by Thomas Pang and Li Jun Li, together, they work much like floor managers of the juke joint.
The film begins to take an interesting journey through Sammie as he takes the floor in his debut performance with a display of his own interpretation of the blues through a song he dedicated to his father, “I lied to you”. The performance itself transcends the screen, joining the future, past and present Black artistry with visuals in a way that feels both intimate and grand. It is the heartbeat of the film, and Coogler frames it as something “sacred and big.”
Aside from the underlying theme of finding one’s place, this part of the film truly pulled me in. In this moment, it becomes clear that Sammie has found his place and the environment he truly belongs in.
What shifts the story, initially about racial divide and a journey to find belonging, is an unexpected turn into supernatural territory. The arrival of three strangers, led by a very unique White man named Remmick, pushes the film into darker and more unsettling territory. Remmick introduces a twist that is bold and terrifying, providing the audience with plot twists and turns they never expected. It also leaves the story with an edge that lingers long after the credits.
Overall, this masterpiece is full of rich symbolic storytelling. It takes the audience on a journey of cultural exploration through music while also appealing to an original Southern Gothic horror. The cast was amazing, and the music was soul resonating. This movie is an 8/10.
