Ryan Coogler returns with Sinners, a genre-bending, soul-stirring Southern fantasia that merges horror, music, and historical trauma into a hauntingly poetic experience. With Michael B. Jordan taking on dual roles as identical twins, and newcomer Miles Caton grounding the film with emotional sincerity, Sinners is a thunderous celebration of Black creativity, resilience, and the messy beauty of American history.
More Than Just a Horror Film
At its core, Sinners is less about scares and more about spirits spiritual heritage, ancestral trauma, and the powerful legacy of Black music. Set in 1932 Mississippi, the film tells the story of Sammie, the soft-spoken son of a preacher, who finds his calling and his curse through music. The juke joint where he performs becomes both a haven and a battlefield, echoing with the ghosts of history and the rhythms of revolution.
Coogler’s storytelling here is fluid and fearless. The film jumps between past and present, myth and memory, fact and fantasy — and somehow, it all works. There’s horror in the shadows of the fields and the quiet rage of the Klansman’s home, but there’s also immense joy in the music, the dance, and the simple act of survival.
Duality at Its Finest: Michael B. Jordan as Smoke and Stack
Michael B. Jordan delivers a magnetic performance, playing both Smoke and Stack twin brothers who are polar opposites in energy but deeply bound in loyalty. Smoke is solemn and introspective, while Stack is fiery and reckless. Their chemistry with each other, with Sammie, and with the women they love gives Sinners a heartbeat that pulses beneath every scene.
Their transformation of a decaying building into a juke joint is more than a plot point. It’s a metaphor for reclaiming power, space, and identity in a world designed to suppress them.
Soundtrack of the Past and Future
Music plays a starring role in Sinners. A breathtaking mid-film performance of “I Lied to You,” written by Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Göransson, becomes a hero moment for Sammie. Choreography by Aakomon Jones and cinematography using IMAX cameras create an immersive, concert-like energy — but with ancestral spirits rising from the floorboards.
This musical segment isn’t just for spectacle. It’s a spiritual awakening, a manifestation of generational memory and cultural resilience. Coogler seamlessly weaves blues, soul, and futuristic rhythms to conjure something timeless.
Symbolism in Every Frame
The film is rich with symbolism from dualities in characters and mirrored movements to themes of heritage and rebirth. A particularly poetic sequence features Helena Hu’s character mirroring her mother’s walk between two grocery stores, capturing a cycle of generational rhythm and resistance that Coogler threads throughout.
But not all symbolic elements land perfectly. Hailee Steinfeld’s character Mary, a love interest for Stack, is weighed down by excessive metaphor and not enough depth. In contrast, Wunmi Mosaku as Annie feels grounded and real her scenes with Jordan’s Smoke are quietly devastating.
When the Devil Comes Calling
Enter Remmick Jack O’Connell’s charismatic, smooth-talking villain who ignites the film’s explosive third act. Violence and tension escalate rapidly, transforming the juke joint from a sanctuary into a battleground. Coogler’s action sequences are sharp, visceral, and relentless but never at the expense of narrative cohesion.
Even as the bullets fly and blood spills, the emotional core never vanishes. Behind every scream is a story. Behind every ghost is a truth.
A Beautiful, Chaotic Tapestry of Black History and Artistry
Sinners might feel overwhelming at times it’s packed with ideas, timelines, visual styles, and musical layers but therein lies its beauty. It’s a messy, passionate, unapologetically ambitious film that insists on honoring every note of Black culture: from its pain to its power, its rhythm to its rage.
Coogler doesn’t just direct he conjures. And what he brings forth is something uniquely American, wholly cinematic, and spiritually unforgettable.
Final Thoughts
Sinners is not a film you just watch it’s one you feel. Through its characters, music, and memories, it invites us into a story that stretches across time and reminds us that the past isn’t gone. it’s singing, stomping, and fighting right beneath our feet.
This isn’t just Coogler’s boldest film it might be his best.
By Voice Editorial Team