16 Apr REVIEW – ‘Sinners’ is nothing short of cinematic magic
Writer/director Ryan Coogler has never been a director to play it safe, but Sinners is undoubtedly his most audacious and ambitious swing yet—and one that connects with a mighty roar. Melding historical specificity with genre insanity, Southern folklore with blood-drenched pulp, and the visceral rhythm of Black music culture with supernatural horror, Sinners is the rare kind of film that doesn’t just entertain—it howls. It barrels into view with the swagger of a juke joint jam session and the dread of a sermon warning of hellfire, never once letting go of its sense of purpose or its sense of fun. This is Coogler in full command of his powers, revelling in contradiction and conjuring a world as alive as it is undead.
With Sinners, Ryan Coogler pulls off an absolute masterpiece, fusing the grit of 1930s Mississippi with an unexpected supernatural twist that delivers thrills, emotional depth, and breathtaking style. It’s a movie that feels like it was made to be devoured, one that takes you on a wild ride through the tension-filled South, only to break into full-blown horror as vampires crash a juke joint celebration in the most thrilling way possible. This is a film that keeps you on the edge of your seat, with its perfect blend of period drama, supernatural horror, and unforgettable performances. The result is nothing short of cinematic magic.
The year is 1932. In the rural Deep South, a time when segregation and tensions ran high, two infamous twin brothers return to their hometown in Mississippi with grand plans. Smoke and Stack (both played by the ever-impressive Michael B. Jordan) have just returned from a seven-year stint in Chicago, and they’re looking to build something of significance: a juke joint. But their return is not one of simple nostalgia—it’s driven by a desire to carve out a space for their people where they can escape the harsh realities of life and indulge in music, dancing, and drink.
The twins quickly get to work assembling a ragtag crew of local talent to help them open the joint. This includes their cousin Sammie (newcomer Miles Caton), a wildly talented young musician and the potential headliner for the evening’s festivities. The night of the grand opening is meant to be a celebration of the community’s resilience, a chance to let loose, and to finally enjoy some peace. But things take a dramatic turn when Sammie’s playing unwittingly summons a group of bloodthirsty vampires led by the sinister and charismatic Remmick (a deliciously devilish Jack O’Connell).
Coogler has done the unthinkable here: he’s taken a genre often reserved for the supernatural and injected it with a level of cultural and emotional resonance that makes it feel entirely fresh. The way he blends historical context, horror, and character-driven storytelling is absolutely intoxicating. The setting of the Deep South in the midst of the Great Depression, where people are struggling against the weight of systemic oppression, lends an undeniable layer of depth to the narrative. The film grapples with themes of survival, community, and legacy, and these elements are brought to life with a reverence that makes every moment feel meaningful.
What deepens Sinners beyond its genre pleasures and impeccable craft is the way Coogler quietly but unmistakably engages with the legacy of slavery. Set during the Jim Crow era, every frame feels steeped in the weight of history — cotton fields stretch endlessly into the background, characters carry generational trauma like second skins, and the land itself seems to whisper with the ghosts of those who once toiled and suffered there. The vampires aren’t just monsters; they’re metaphors. Their hunger, their parasitic nature, their need for invitation — all of it plays like a wicked inversion of white supremacy’s historic appetite for Black labour, Black bodies, Black culture. Coogler doesn’t overstate the allegory, but it’s there, pulsing beneath the surface, giving the film a spiritual gravitas that lingers long after the final scene. This is Southern Gothic with fangs, yes, but also with conscience.
The film is grounded in its setting, and the juke joint becomes a symbol of resistance, a place where the marginalised and oppressed can come together, share stories, and find joy in the face of adversity. It’s a place where people of all walks of life can find solace and freedom from the cruelties of the outside world, and it is in this space that the true horror of the film unfolds. The vampires, with their outward charm and manipulative nature, represent a different kind of predator—one that is more insidious, more deeply ingrained in the fabric of society. The film’s exploration of the duality between survival and submission is both thought-provoking and terrifying.
Cooger moves seamlessly from drama to horror, and it’s in this genre-blending that Sinners truly shines. Coogler excels in creating an atmosphere of unease, expertly ratcheting up the tension through both the everyday struggles of the characters and the growing threat of the supernatural. What’s most striking is how the film doesn’t rely on shock value but instead on building a compelling world and characters that you care about. The horror elements are not just about blood and violence, but about the undercurrent of fear and distrust that runs through the town. When the vampires arrive, they are not merely monsters—they are a metaphor for the deep-seated evils that have plagued the South for centuries. Coogler’s ability to mix these themes with the genre conventions of horror is what sets Sinners apart from other films in the genre.
The horror elements are integrated into the film with finesse, moving from a slow, creeping dread to a full-blown battle for survival. The vampires themselves are an interesting take on the mythos. They are not just monstrous beings; they are suave, seductive, and dangerous in a way that feels deeply entwined with the history of the South. Played superbly by O’Connell, Remmick is a standout villain, a man who effortlessly slides between charm and menace. His ability to blend in with the locals while harbouring dark intentions is what makes him so terrifying. The tension between the human characters and the vampires reaches a boiling point by the end of the film, leading to a violent and cathartic showdown.
Coogler doesn’t rely solely on jump scares or gore to get his thrills, though there are certainly moments that will make you jump out of your seat. Instead, he creates a sense of growing dread that pervades every frame. The way he builds suspense through Ludwig Göransson‘s sublime score, the atmospheric lighting, and the slow, creeping dread that slowly builds as the night goes on is absolutely chilling. The film’s pacing is spot on, with every scene feeling carefully constructed to amplify the emotional and physical stakes as the conflict between the vampires and the humans intensifies.
Jordan is, of course, the very soul of Sinners. He brings his remarkable range to the roles of Smoke and Stack, playing two distinct personalities with ease. Smoke is the more reserved and business-minded of the two, a man who uses his charm and pragmatism to steer the course of their dreams. Stack, on the other hand, is freewheeling, impulsive, and always just one step away from chaos. The contrast between them is electric, and Jordan deftly brings both characters to life with complexity and nuance, capturing their bond as brothers with an authenticity that feels deeply lived-in. Watching him switch between these two characters, each with their own distinct energy, is nothing short of a masterclass in acting.
As Smoke’s estranged wife Annie, Wunmi Mosaku brings a haunting vulnerability to the role. Her character’s connection to the supernatural, combined with her grief and emotional trauma, makes her one of the film’s most compelling characters. Playing Stack’s jilted lover, Mary, Hailee Steinfeld brings a sense of tension and unresolved anger to the table. As a woman still scarred by her past, Steinfeld brings a quiet undercurrent to the film’s more dramatic moments, adding a sense of emotional complexity to the brothers’ journey. Delroy Lindo offers a grounding presence and a sense of history to the film as Delta Slim, a local blues legend with lashings of trauma of his own that he instils in both his music and words.
In his feature film debut, Caton delivers a standout performance as the young musician at the centre of the storm. His journey from an innocent, gifted boy to a key player in the battle against the vampires is both heartbreaking and captivating. As Sammie’s guitar playing becomes a conduit for evil, Caton’s performance is a perfect balance of raw talent and vulnerability. His scenes with the other characters, particularly his strained relationship with his pastor father and his growing bond with the twins, are some of the film’s most emotional moments.
And then, of course, there’s the arrival of the vampires. O’Connell’s performance is both mesmerising and chilling. O’Connell’s portrayal of the vampire leader is magnetic, drawing you in with his charm and unpredictability, while slowly revealing the horrifying depths of his true nature. He plays the role with such delicious menace, his every word laced with a sense of foreboding that heightens the stakes of the narrative. His presence injects a unique energy into the film, and the way Coogler balances the tension between the living and the undead is masterful.
Visually, Sinners is a feast for the eyes. One of the film’s more striking elements is its stunning cinematography with sweeping shots of the rural Mississippi landscape contrasting with the dark, shadowy interiors of the juke joint.. The South is often portrayed in a way that feels trapped in time—dusty roads, darkened woods, and dilapidated buildings—but in Sinners, the setting feels alive. The small-town Mississippi backdrop is not just a place for the characters to inhabit, but a character in its own right. Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw’s work here is exceptional, capturing both the beauty and the danger of the landscape.
The production design from Hannah Beachler is meticulously detailed, from the dusty streets of the town to the rustic charm of the juke joint, every element feels authentic and immersive. The use of light and shadow throughout the film adds to the atmosphere, making the rural town feel as if it holds secrets waiting to be unearthed. The looming presence of the woods, the sprawling cotton fields, and the dimly lit barn where the juke joint is held all contribute to the film’s slow-burning tension. And, expectedly, the final showdown is a visually stunning display of bloody horror, carnage, and chaos.
Crafted by Oscar winner Ludwig Göransson, the film’s score is also a standout, with music that blends the blues, jazz, and gospel of the South into a haunting and beautiful soundtrack. In many ways, this is a pseudo musical, with several killer numbers performed in the juke joint that bubble with energy and exuberance, particularly one stunningly crafted sequence where the past, present, and future combine in ways that only someone as bold as Coogler could achieve. The music mirrors the themes of the film—its rhythms pulse with life, but there is an underlying darkness that hints at the danger lurking just beneath the surface. The combination of music and atmosphere creates a sense of dread that will follow you home.
While Sinners excels in almost every area, there are occasional moments where the narrative slows down just a touch too much. The film occasionally dips into a lull during its more expository moments, particularly when dealing with the backstory of the characters and their motivations. However, these moments are few and far between, and the film’s overall momentum is never seriously derailed. In fact, the slow burn of the first act only serves to make the eventual horror all the more effective. When the action hits, it hits hard, and Coogler knows exactly when to ratchet up the mayhem.
In the end, Sinners is a film that succeeds because of its complexity. It’s not just a horror film—it’s a meditation on community, survival, and the monsters that lurk in the shadows. Coogler and his stellar ensemble cast and talented crew have created something truly special. It’s a film that is as much about the people as it is about the horrors that invade their world. It’s a bold, imaginative, and thrilling ride. Coogler has crafted a film that is as emotionally resonant as it is terrifying, and he pulls off the perfect balancing act between character development, social commentary, and genre thrills.
The horror is palpable, the themes are rich and meaningful, and the film’s pacing ensures that you are never bored. Sinners is a cinematic triumph and a testament to Coogler’s growing mastery of storytelling. Coogler once again proves his ability to craft a narrative that is both compelling and genre-defying. The performances, the direction, and the atmosphere all come together to create a memorable experience that is both emotionally resonant and thrilling. Sinners takes tremendous risks, and in doing so, it delivers a fresh and unique take on the horror genre and the first truly great film of 2025.
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, Li Jun Li, Delroy Lindo
Director: Ryan Coogler
Producers: Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Ryan Coogler
Screenplay: Ryan Coogler
Cinematography: Autumn Durald Arkapaw
Production Design: Hannah Beachler
Costume Design: Ruth E. Carter
Editor: Michael P. Shawver
Music: Ludwig Göransson
Running Time: 137 minutes
Release Date: 17th April 2025 (Australia)