Phil Roberts 
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners is an absolute triumph of cinema. The film transcends time, space, race, creed, and genre to deliver a truly exceptional piece of cinema.
Ryan Coogler has established himself as one of the most visionary directors of our time. From his work on “Creed“ to his masterpiece “Black Panther,” Coogler has a unique style that has delivered some of the most culturally significant films of the last decade. His latest project takes him into the vampire genre, where he reunites with his long-time collaborator, Michael B. Jordan. This new film, titled “Sinners,” is a gangster vampire story set in the 1930s. With Coogler’s signature cultural influences infusing the film with a rich Southern Soul, “Sinners” promises to be a landmark event in cinema. But can Michael B. Jordan, who is pulling double duty, help Coogler deliver the culturally fang-tastic phenomenon we expect? Or is Coogler’s latest genre effort too rich for Hollywood’s blood?
REVIEW
Don’t worry, film fans, because Coogler has delivered yet again. “Sinners” is a fantastic representation of southern soul. The film stands out thanks to its rich cultural influences and outstanding performances from its talented ensemble cast. While it occasionally falls into cliché vampire territory and relies on familiar tropes, the sharp screenplay, incredible soundtrack, and visceral horror elements elevate the film and make it a triumph. While the work is impressive, there are a few drawbacks that prevent the movie from being a game-changer. However, Coogler has delivered a remarkable reinvention of the vampire genre, providing us with plenty to sink our fangs into.
A CULTURAL JOURNEY
In line with the rest of his impressive filmography, Coogler has infused the film with a rich sense of Southern soul. Set in the 1930s, a time when cotton picking and racial persecution were still rampant, the director creates a backdrop to tell a story of cultural significance. The film provides insight into the struggles faced by Black communities during this turbulent period of prejudice, placing us at the center of their experiences. Using the talents of Ludwig Göransson to create a musical landscape as rich as it is authentic, the film feels wonderfully true to the era. The brilliance of the composer’s score is enhanced by a thoughtfully curated selection of soul music, which brings Coogler’s vision to life. This choice adds an extra layer of charm to the film, inviting the audience to immerse themselves in the warmth of Southern hospitality.
Ryan Coogler’s attention to detail lends a sense of authenticity to the film. The costumes are beautiful, the cinematography is breathtaking, and his eye for accuracy is exceptional. Even the renowned Southern cooking receives Coogler’s meticulous care, and it is this dedication to authenticity that truly elevates the film.
SMOKE AND STACK
A film as culturally rich as this requires a strong story to succeed, and thankfully, director Ryan Coogler has largely delivered. The film follows two brothers, Smoke and Stack, who return home after achieving success on the streets of Chicago. Known for their notorious reputation, the brothers command respect in their community. Casting Michael B. Jordan in both roles was a bold choice by the director. Although their previous collaborations have been highly successful, this decision was a gamble. Earlier this year, we saw Robert De Niro attempt a similar dual role in “The Alto Knights,” but with little success.
Thankfully, Jordan slips into both roles relatively easily and delivers two masterful performances worthy of recognition. As Smoke, he displays his character’s more intense and volatile traits, while as Stack, he portrays a gentler personality who enjoys life to the fullest. However, it’s wise not to provoke these characters, as their retribution is quick and fierce. The duo are gangsters in every sense and return home with cash to burn and a juke joint to build.
ENSEMBLE MAGIC
To facilitate the opening of the pop-up juke joint, the brothers reach out to their old friends to help turn their dreams into reality. Not everyone is willing to team up with the duo, but money talks, and Smoke and Stack are well-funded. This is where Coogler introduces us to the characters who will infuse soul into the southern setting. Hailee Steinfeld shines as Mary, Stack’s jilted lover with a score to settle. In this role, Steinfeld is given a character with depth that makes the most of her captivating energy. Her interactions with Jordan are electric, and their chemistry radiates from the screen, adding substance to their relationship.
On Smoke’s side, we have Wunmi Mosaku as Annie. The actor enjoyed her spell in Marvel’s Loki, but she gets to bring a meaningful character to life here. Annie is a southern healer who dabbles in the spirit realm, and her relationship with Smoke is equally as complicated as Mary and Stack’s. The film intricately weaves in spiritual elements of southern culture, culminating in a sequence that transcends time, thanks to director Ryan Coogler’s exceptional vision. This remarkable musical segment feels timeless for various reasons, and once it strikes the right note, the film moves forward without looking back.
MAGNIFICENT MILES
Outside of love interests, Omar Benson Miller shines as the overworked, dedicated cotton picker, Cornbread. Jayme Lawson brings some southern sass as Pearline, and Li Jun Li serves up a sharp performance as Grace Chow. However, the true standouts of the film are Miles Caton and Delroy Lindo, who star as Sammie Moore and Delta Slim. This dynamic duo is electric, and both command our attention whenever they are on screen, just for very different reasons.
In truth, Miles Canton is the backbone of the film, with large portions of the film dedicated to his story. As Sammie, Canton brings a young, energetic, soul musician to life who isn’t scared of defying the limitations of his standing. He dreams of being a soul man and has big aspirations, despite the opposition from his preacher father.
On the other hand, Delta Slim is wonderfully written, and Lindo brings the very best out of the material. Ryan Coogler’s sharp and witty screenplay has rewarded Lindo with some of the best lines of the film, and they are always on hand to cut through the tension when the tone gets dark. Even when the bloodletting gets underway, Slim is on hand with a well-placed one-liner that lightens the tone. This is the calling card of a brilliant writer and an extraordinary acting talent, and you can feel the quality from both as the film unfolds.
FANG-TASTIC FUN!
Now here’s where Sinners pivots into a pseudo-From Dusk Til Dawn vampire adventure. The spiritual music captivates the attention of Remmick, a master vampire on a quest to build an army of bloodsuckers. However, instead of treating his arrival as a well-placed plot point, Coogler disappointingly resorts to archetypal vampire clichés, incorporating all the tropes and iconography from Hollywood’s past. While this isn’t a significant flaw—after all, From Dusk Till Dawn executed a similar approach successfully—the film ultimately suffers from a lack of depth and characterization for Remmick and his followers.
Remmick seems to wander into the story and decides to raise an army to invade the juke joint. For the most part, Jack O’Connell performs well as Remmick, but aside from a few traditional vampire tropes, he has very little to do. Even when Coogler includes an impromptu Irish jig performed by the vampire legion, it never feels like enough to establish their significance.
That said, once the vampires arrive, the film’s action dials up to eleven, and its quality goes from good to great. Characters fall, characters fight for survival, and the fallout is electric. When all is said and done, the film delivers some of the most exciting vampire action in recent memory. Leave it to Coogler to reinvent the wheel with his execution of the vampire cliches. Although they are far from original, here the tropes of iconography of the genre feel fresh and compelling. Unlike the vampires, their actions are lethal, inventive, and jaw-droppingly good.
SOUL MUSIC
Get ready to experience your soundtrack of the summer! Earlier in this review, I mentioned that Ludwig Göransson has delivered yet another triumph. The composer deserves much credit for taking Sinners to heights that the material alone could not achieve. Göransson’s music is impeccable, infused with a rich Southern influence throughout the score. Coogler and Göransson have also handpicked a fantastic selection of music that makes the film shine. This exceptional blend of original compositions and soulful songs ranks among Hollywood’s best, and I challenge anyone to resist downloading the soundtrack once the credits roll.
John Williams famously stated that the soundtrack is the film’s soul, and this sentiment has never been truer. Coogler and Göransson have created something remarkable in Sinners, and the soundtrack deserves to be celebrated as a genuine triumph. It elevates the film to greatness and will leave a lasting impression for years to come.
VERDICT
Overall, Ryan Coogler’s Sinners is an absolute triumph of cinema. The film transcends time, space, race, creed, and genre to deliver a truly exceptional piece of cinema. Michael B. Jordan is phenomenal as Smoke and Stack, and despite her limited screen time, Hailee Steinfeld dazzles as the vivacious Mary. Wunmi Mosaku delights as Annie, Delroy Lindo steals the spotlight as Delta Slim, and Miles Caton provides the film’s backbone as Sammie Moore. But make no mistake, the champion of this film is the rich journey into southern culture. From the rich soundtrack to its wonderful people, the audience will be rewarded handsomely for their time in the cotton fields. It’s a journey that will leave its mark, and everyone should accept the invitation.
In the end, Sinners may be hindered by generic and underdeveloped vampires, but that pales in comparison to the brilliance on display here. Coogler has served up another masterclass of movie-making, so book a ticket, sit back, and let the music take you.
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners is now playing in UK cinemas and theatres worldwide.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
