Movie Review: Sinners is Another Ryan Coogler Masterpiece
There’s a moment in Sinners that had me literally wanting to get up and dance. A warmly lit juke joint with people singing, two-stepping, and literally burning down the house while the ancestors danced right alongside them. That scene right there? That’s the essence of Sinners. Music as love, history, passion, and culture all rolled into one. And Ryan Coogler understands that deeply in this almost perfect movie.
Set in 1932 Mississippi Delta, Sinners stars Michael B. Jordan in a dual role as twin brothers Elias and Elijah who return to their hometown after years away, looking to rebuild and run a juke joint. But instead of peace and riches, they find a town plagued by a supernatural evil that’s been waiting for them. What begins as a slow-burn Southern drama quickly turns into a spiritual battle that blurs the lines between faith, folklore, generational trauma, and survival.
One thing is clear, Michael B. Jordan acts in this movie. He brings so much nuance to each brother, with Elijah’s quiet intensity and Elias’ more impulsive charm. Even when they’re in the same scene, it’s like watching two entirely different men. The way he carries their emotional weight, the guilt, the shared memories, it’s truly a layered performance that deserves serious awards attention.
His chemistry with Wunmi Mosaku (a spiritual Hoodoo anchor in the community) is tender, full of grief and quiet power. And Hailee Steinfeld’s outsider character, who comes to demand Elias’ attention, brings a different kind of tension. And Miles Caton? The man’s voice is so rich, so deeply felt, it practically pulls your soul out. Wait through the credits for that final scene. It’s worth it.
Sinners is packed with meaning. One of the most layered parts is how it uses music as memory—as resistance, as prayer, as warning. There’s an irony in how the Irish outsiders are drawn to the music and magic of this community but want none of the struggle or pain that created it. That Irish vampire trying claim the people and steal their memories and autonomy? That’s not just a character—it’s a metaphor.
This film also plays with the idea that not everyone should be invited to the cookout. Some stories, songs, and spirits are sacred. And some doors, once opened to people who aren’t allies, cannot be closed.
But the heart of Sinners is Black love and devotion. Ryan Coogler shows this powerful love between siblings, between lovers, between generations. It’s a film about legacy, how much we carry, how much we owe, and how we fight to protect what’s ours, even when the world (and sometimes the afterlife) is trying to take it away.
The cinematography in Sinners is jaw-dropping. The wide Delta skies feel endless, almost surreal, above the cotton fields—where freedom and labor blur. The juke joint glows like a church. The way Delroy Lindo, Miles Caton and Jayme Lawson light up the screen in those musical scenes? It’s almost spiritual. And yes, we can actually see the characters at night. Ryan Coogler’s team uses light to reveal, not hide, and every shot feels deliberate.
Sinners is a story about returning home, reckoning with your past, and standing up to darkness—both personal and supernatural. It’s layered, emotional, and haunting in the best way. Ryan Coogler doesn’t just direct scenes, he builds an entire world—and this one will stick with you long after the credits roll.
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