Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers return to their Mississippi hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.
(C) Warner Bros.
Director Ryan Coogler's ambition alone is worth the price of admission. Sinners takes us on a journey that feels almost biblical. In the first half, which plays like a gangster drama, we see how the characters come together. Somehow, Coogler manages to infuse meaning into every character the two brothers recruit. There’s even a subplot about a pastor's son aspiring to play the blues.
Then we reach the middle section, where the film shifts into the genre it had been building toward from the start. Powered by a memorable juke joint sequence, Sinners unleashes. I was not prepared for what Coogler was about to showcase. My jaw was on the floor and my hands are on my head during the entire sequence.
Speaking of visuals, the film constantly delivers striking imagery and beautiful scenery. Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw deserves credit for bringing the director’s vision to life. Composer Ludwig Göransson also ensures that every scene resonates emotionally.
While mentioning all of this might make the film sound convoluted — and at times, it is — Coogler still manages to weave it all together with a clear vision and message. He’s not always subtle, but there’s so much packed in that it really requires to be unsubtle at parts. It’s also the kind of film that stays with you, revealing deeper layers possibly on each rewatch.
From that point on, film's bite on me only grew deeper. Michael B. Jordan, in a career-highlight performance, delivers in two meaty roles as Smoke and Stack. Whether the film leans into gangster drama, romance, action, or horror, he nails it. What else can you say about an actor who can do all that in one movie? Hailee Steinfeld also shines, alongside a strong supporting cast including Miles Caton and others.
Sinners is that rare, genre-bending original that demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible. Count me in on House Coogler. 4.5/5 ⭐
