REVIEW: SINNERS
As you gathered from our previous reviews we love Gothic Horror! To continue this theme I went to see Sinners recently. It took me a minute to see the film partly because I wasn’t sure if the avant-garde way Ryan Coogler weaved in Vampires I would enjoy. I decided to watch the film after I learned Ryan Coogler would retain the rights after 25 years which I admire and respect; it’s embarrassing to say but it is actually my first Ryan Coogler film. This film didn’t disappoint and I LOVED it! While uniquely woven yet elements of the traditional Dracula lore. Ryan Coogler created cinematic magic. Read on to find out why!
2025 started off with a bang. With about 4 months into the year, there has been a multitude of current events in both the global stage and society that have been very brow raising to say the least. One item that remains the same year after year is Hollywood’s lackluster movies.
Time and time again we see how Hollywood has lost their creativity and have gone way to remakes of classic movies. Whether if it’s a reimagining or just a direct copy of a classic movie or story, it shows that we have lost the way for new ways to captivate and tell original stories. That could not be far enough from the truth for Ryan Coogler’s Sinners. Even though this is my first Ryan Coogler movie I am astute enough to know that his past films are critical and commercial successes. Michael B. Jordan has been his muse for the majority of these films. I went in to see Sinners blind other than a few friends saying it was the most amazing movie ever.
Now I’m not going to lie I was a little thrown with the opening scene of a cotton field with Blacks picking the cotton. I think it is crucial to remember history but that scene so real and authentic looking actually irked me because in the film I feel like it should be an escape. There was a nice amount of use of the “N word” and showcasing the KKK with the infamous hood. I truly was not enjoying the first 45 minutes of the moving not sure how this story was going to be spun. I did LOVE the historical aspect of the beginning of the film. The story’s premise without giving spoilers is about twins Smoke and Stacks coming back home to Mississippi to create their own sense of freedom. Unfortunately for the twins this freedom is short lived with an uninvited guest genuinely brings Hell to their door.
There were some jumpy scenes but this was pure cinema magic! Michael B. Jordan acted amazing playing twins that you actually thought maybe Michael did have a long lost sibling. There are so many symbols and playing into the Blues music folklore about it’s the portal to the devil. I also loved how Ryan Coogler showcased the plight of Black people, that still unfortunately hold true today, including lighter skin Black people as was depicted in Hailee Steinfeld’s character Mary. Hailee acted wonderfully and depicting what most mixed people go through when you favor one race more than the other yet you want to embrace both cultures.
The best and most genius part of the movie was getting famed Blues musician Buddy Guy to play Sammie all grown up. It truly ties in the Blues folklore and how everything, even when things seem hopeless, there is always a silver lining and something to hold onto.
Overall I think this was a wonderful movie and worth seeing!
