A visually stunning and captivating feature film, “Sinners” has played in theaters for less than two weeks and has already become a record-breaking hit. In just 48 hours, “Sinners” earned over $45 million at the box office and became the first horror movie to receive such high critical acclaim and praise. The project marks director Ryan Coogler’s fifth film collaboration with Michael B. Jordan. Some of their prominent movie collaborations include “Creed” and “Black Panther,” but “Sinners” has been their most original and ambitious endeavor. The film’s success is largely credited to the vision and hard work of various talented artists: the cast with Michael B. Jordan (Stack and Smoke), Hailee Steinfield (Mary), Wunmi Mosaku (Annie), and Miles Canton (Sammie), who made his acting debut, score and music by Ludwig Göransson, editing by Michael Shawver, and many more accomplished collaborators.
Upon watching this film, it is clear that its quality and strength don’t come from a singular characteristic but results from seamless integration of multiple brilliant performances. For example, the film’s vivid portrayal of racial history reflects Coogler’s in-depth research and personal background. Michael B. Jordan’s rigorous preparation and artistic commitment allowed him to embody two strikingly different characters so convincingly that his co-star Omar Benson Miller (Cornbread) stated that he “forg[ot] [Jordan] was playing both characters.”
The film expertly blends music with horror, sometimes contrasting upbeat Irish music with the haunting realization of loneliness and loss, or sustaining suspense with a beautiful song that we know ends with bloodshed and heartbreak. It layers deep, familial relationships with racial solidarity and affection, exposing the racial polarity, especially with immigrants and African Americans in the divisive time of Jim Crow and segregation. Music perfectly complements themes of terror and desire, and allows for discussion on the African American culture that blossomed during slavery in the late nineteenth century, when the film is set. With this culture comes tales of Vodou practices and folklore among which are the infamous vampires, the acting villains of the otherwise hopeful tale.
“Sinners” follows twin brothers, Smoke and Stack, who return to their hometown in Mississippi and open a “juke joint,” a club rich in food, music, and dancing. We also meet their cousin Sammie, a talented musician with a gentle spirit and big dreams. Sammie is the preacher’s son, and his character exhibits the inextricable ties of religion to Black culture. As the title suggests, the concept of vampires as demonic creatures whose fate lies in hell, and the erotic sensual physicality of both the music, sex, and dances, religion is a flashing umbrella that is kept deep within our mind. Sammie’s father, Jedidiah (Saul Williams), warns Sammie about the sinful nature of the “juke joint.” If Sammie adhered to his father’s suggestion, the dreadful events of that night would have been prevented. But, as horrific and devastating as the opening night of Smoke and Stack’s juke joint is, it is also described as “the best day” of their lives. The American Dream is shown to be disastrous and tragic when pursued by people of color. The “juke joint” is portrayed as doomed from the moment it’s created. Its destruction and downfall are depicted with haunting precision and emotional weight. Regardless of all the pain, it is the freedom, the pursuit of their dream, that, for a few hours, allows them to fly free. It was this liberation and independence that made that night one of passion, love, and magic.
