Joey Magidson
Okay, listen up folks. For anyone who ever complains that Hollywood never does anything original, Sinners is for you. This is the type of film that spits in the face of those who say cinema has nothing new to offer. By taking one of the oldest movie monsters there is, spinning them on their ear, and filtering it through a setting/time period that’s never utilized them before, and you have something completely singular. There has never been anything quite like Sinners. Not only is this 2025’s first truly great blockbuster, it’s also the best film of the year so far.
Sinners absolutely rocks. Bloody, horny, musical, and full of genre-bending on the part of filmmaker Ryan Coogler, it’s all the right kinds of audacious. What begins as a light period drama, with plenty of reverence for the power of music, it slowly but surely transforms into horror, with the third act becoming an actual bloodbath. Through it all, there’s impeccable technical aspects, first rate acting, and a true feeling that you’re watching the full possibilities of film. Coogler makes movies for the big screen, with Sinners being just the latest example of an event picture, meant to be seen with the best sound and on the biggest screen possible.
After a brief introduction to young musician Sammie Moore (Miles Caton) covered in blood, we flash back a day to the arrival back in Clarksdale, a small Mississippi Delta down, of identical twin brothers Smoke and Stack (Michael B. Jordan in both roles). The year is 1932 and the brothers have come back to the Jim Crow South after serving in World War I and then spending several years in Chicago, purportedly working for Al Capone. Flush with cash, big ideas, and loads of alcohol, they plan to open a juke joint. They recruit their young cousin Sammie to play at their grand opening that night, alongside Delta Slim (Delroy Lindo), while also getting help from grocer Bo Chow (Yao) and his wife Grace (Li Jun Li), as well as sharecropper Cornbread (Omar Miller) to serve as bouncer. While the preparations are going on, Sammie has his eye caught by the unhappily married Pearline (Jayme Lawson). At the same time, Stack is approached by his former flame Mary (Hailee Steinfeld), who recently lost the mother who helped raise the brothers. They have a fiery chemistry, while Smoke reunites with Annie (Wunmi Mosaku) to mourn the infant son they lost.
That night, the juke joint opens and is a hit. Sammie’s music literally begins to transport them through time and space, though as the opening scene’s voiceover suggests, music this powerful also can attract evil. Out of the darkness comes Remmick (Jack O’Connell), quickly revealed to be a vampire. Turning a local couple in Bert (Peter Dreimanis) and Joan (Lola Kirke), they approach the juke joint, asking to be let in. Smoke and Stack turn them away, though Remmick says they’ll be back. In short order, the trio has grown, soon becoming a small army surrounding our heroes. Much bloodshed ensues, and that’s all I’ll say about that.
Michael B. Jordan gives one of his best performances, while newcomer Miles Caton makes a major impression. They’re joined by a very fun Delroy Lindo, providing some of the comic relief, as well as a heartbreaking Wunmi Mosaku in being the highlights. Caton is a musical talent, to be sure, but has some real acting chops as well. Watch out for him. Lindo is a scene stealer, while Mosaku not only provides some of the most emotional elements, but also helps to explain the vampiric situation in a way that’s not just an expositional dump. As for Jordan, he gives the brothers wildly different personalities, allowing you never to confuse them. He’s relishing the opportunity, to be sure, and it shows. Jack O’Connell is also very tickled with his villainous turn, especially when he also gets to be musical. Then, there’s Hailee Steinfeld, who’s also very good, if slightly under-utilized. Still, she has a back and forth with Jordan that’s as fiery as any in the film. Supporting players here include, aside from the aforementioned Peter Dreimanis, Lola Kirke, Jayme Lawson, Li Jun Li, Omar Miller, and Yao, the likes of Nathaniel Arcand, David Maldonado, Saul Williams, and more.
Ryan Coogler manages to make this as much of an epic blockbuster as his Black Panther or Creed work, while also telling it with an arthouse eye, on the level of Fruitvale Station. It’s his best and most complete work to date. Visually, it looks great, whether it’s the beauty of the Delta or the horror of blood spilling. Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw gives everything scope, while Coogler allows the world to breathe. Combined with the Ruth E. Carter costumes, the setting comes alive. Composer Ludwig Göransson also contributes a wonderfully intense score. Coogler’s direction and pacing take all of that and mix it together with his incredibly lively script. It’s a surprisingly horny and sexual one, especially prior to the attack in the back section, which adds a ton of personality, while still meshing well with what’s ultimately, at least in part, a vampire tale. However, his crowning achievement is in showcasing the power of music. There’s a sequence where that’s laid bare for you to take in, and boy is it sumptuous. This is something special from Coogler.
In a just world, Sinners would be an Oscar contender above and below the line. Now, being an early year release, as well as being an expensive film that may struggle to make back its money, will prove challenging. Still, the movie should be up for Best Picture, Best Director/Best Original Screenplay for Coogler, Best Actor for Jordan, Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Makeup & Hairstyling, Best Sound, Best Original Score, Best Visual Effects, and the newest category of Best Casting. Yes, the flick is just that good.
Sinners is the crowning achievement of 2025, to date. It’s audacious and unique, while also telling a story you can easily sink your teeth into. It’s damn near perfection for 137 minutes. Stay until the end credits wrap, too, as there’s a pair of sequences that just make things even better. I was blown away by this picture and I suspect you will be too!
SCORE: ★★★★
[…] Film Review: ‘Sinners’ is a Bloody, Horny, and Musically Sumptuous Horror Epic That Mana… […]