Sinners (2025) Movie Review

Sinners (2025) grips you from the first frame and doesn’t let go. Directed by Ryan Coogler, the film blends Southern Gothic horror with supernatural and historical themes, set in 1930s Mississippi. Twin brothers Smoke and Stack Moore (both played by Michael B. Jordan) return home to open a juke joint, accidentally awakening ancient vampiric forces.

Coogler crafts an immersive experience through shifting aspect ratios and layered sound design, particularly impactful in Dolby Cinema and IMAX. Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw’s earthy palette and shadow-rich lighting create the unsettling, realistic beauty of the American South. The lived-in set design and bustling background action further anchor the film in its time period. Jordan delivers a standout dual performance, convincingly portraying two distinct identities. Hailee Steinfeld, Wunmi Mosaku, and newcomer Miles Caton also shine. But beyond the performances, Sinners thrives on symbolism. Vampires represent systemic exploitation—draining communities of autonomy. Music, especially the blues, becomes a sacred link to ancestry and resistance, echoing how rap is judged today. Hoodoo and African spiritual traditions challenge the dominance of Western religious morality.

Characters like Annie, a Hoodoo priestess, embody resilience and healing through alternative cultural roots. The film doesn’t just depict horror—it reclaims it as a vehicle for truth. As of May 3rd, Sinners has earned over $200 million domestically. Coogler’s film is more than a genre piece—it’s a cultural statement, blending horror with history to confront, unsettle, and enlighten.