Would you succumb to the temptation of becoming a vampire to escape reality? Released on April 18, 2025, Ryan Coogler’s latest acclaimed horror film, Sinners, is a heartfelt original movie focusing on the African-American experience and history. The horror vampire film delivers thought-provoking cultural and historical themes with countless layers.
Ryan Coogler is no stranger to critical acclaim and collaborating with actor Michael B. Jordan and composer Ludwig Gӧransson with his previous films, Black Panther and Creed. The multiple collaborations have led the three powerhouses to create a successful movie with a rating of 8.2 on IMDb and 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. The film provides Coogler’s vision in IMAX 70mm only at Cineplex Cinemas Vaughan.
In the Jim Crow era of racial segregation, identical twins, Smoke and Stack (Michael B. Jordan), return to their hometown in the Mississippi Delta to open a juke joint after seven years of travelling. The twins reunite with old relationships to have a grand opening upon their return. They meet their cousin, Sammie (Miles Caton), who has a musical gift and ask him to be one of their musicians for the night. Little does everyone know that horrors lurk at night, watching and waiting to strike.
The twins, Smoke and Stack, have signature colours in their costumes that embody their personalities. Smoke is blue. He is calm, grounded, and a protector. When given an option, he will always choose his brother. Smoke wears a grey suit cut in the style of a simple everyday worker with a blue button-up and newsboy cap. Stack is red. He is reckless, flamboyant, and playful. When faced with creepy vampires singing at the door of the juke joint, he happily nods along to the song. Stack wears grills and a similar grey suit cut in an elaborate style with his red button-up, fedora, and accessories.
Sinners’ score is captivating as it reflects the blend of people in the Mississippi Delta, the birthplace of blues. The heart and soul of the movie is the blues music. Sammie, the blues-loving preacher boy, is the star of the film. The score includes blues, gospel music, Irish and Scottish folk, and original songs. Gӧransson plays around with classic songs and combines or adds aspects of different cultures in songs. The song “Rocky Road to Dublin” is an Irish and Scottish folk song enhanced with the iconic 808s. The music makes the movie more than a simple vampire movie with its stunning score.
In the musical sequence of “I Lied to You,” sung by Sammie, Sammie invites the spirits of ancestors and future generations with the power of his music. The power of Sammie’s music creates an out-of-body experience. His rich voice transforms the music from classic blues to a fusion of genres, including traditional Chinese opera and hip hop. Sammie’s song unites cultures and generations as the guests and their spirits dance together, enjoying the party as one.
The pacing is a bit unbalanced for a horror film. The first half is slow and introduces core characters. There is only a short jumpscare with a lot of foreshadowing. The second half is rapid and focuses on horror with the villain, an Irish vampire named Remmick (Jack O’Connell). The film needs more horror. More blood. Higher stakes. The film focuses more on the music than on frightening its audience.
Sinners is a movie celebrating African-American ancestors and culture. It is a film reminding viewers that their cultural roots and their people are what make them who they are. It is a movie that everyone needs to see, regardless of their ethnicity.
