What happens when vampires meet the real monsters of history? “Sinners” reimagines the classic vampire flick with a captivating blend of horror, history and social commentary, pulling no punches as it tears through a dreadful, post-Civil War South. Set in 1932 Mississippi, the story follows twin brothers (played by Michael B. Jordan) as they open a juke joint, giving the music spotlight to their guitar-wielding cousin, Sammie (played by Miles Canton), which draws the attention of an ancient Irish vampire.
Francine here to start us off – I genuinely haven’t felt so awestruck by a movie in ages, but director Ryan Coogler got me with this one. One of the film’s integral elements is its complex historical setting. Coogler dives deep into the histories of Black and Irish communities, while confronting the terrifying presence of the Ku Klux Klan. This backdrop isn’t just a set for the movie – it enhances the narrative, making the conflict between vampires and humans more nuanced. The folklore introducing the vampires, especially their ties to real culture and music, is equally fascinating – tying together different cultural interpretations in a way that feels both educational and engaging.
The film’s genre-bending is another highlight. Combining horror, gothic vampires, Western tropes and historical drama, “Sinners” stands out in a genre that can sometimes feel overdone. For me, it felt reminiscent of Jordan Peele’s work, blending supernatural terror with profound social commentary, particularly about Black culture and identity.
Though what truly elevates “Sinners” is its pacing and emotional payoff. Coogler takes his time in the first half, introducing each character and their story, allowing us to genuinely connect with them. This makes the emotional impact of the horrors during the second half all the more powerful, as we feel the weight of their losses with them.
Hayley here – I couldn’t agree more with Francine. This is by far the best movie to come out this year. “Sinners” follows a circular story structure and pulls it off perfectly. It did not feel like a gimmick but instead a deliberate choice to unfold the entire film over the span of one day. The opening shot matches the closing shot, creating a sense of a complete, open-and-shut storyline.
Looking through a cinematic lens, the film does an impressive job with its editing, lighting and framing. As Francine mentioned, Jordan plays twin brothers, Smoke and Stack, and all of the shots they are in are done seamlessly– not only by the editing team but also through Jordan’s acting, alongside his co-stars Caton, Hailee Steinfeld and Wunmi Mosaku.
Another major appeal of this film is how it uses the themes of folklore, music and diversity to show – not tell – a story of sin versus faith. The vampire coven is meant to mirror the church procession, each coming across as cult-like, preaching fellowship, love and peace while maintaining strict internal ties that shame those who don’t choose their way. What’s interesting is that music is the catalyst in both to stir up trouble. For the church, it is seen as sinful to play jazz like Sammie does; for the vampires, it is appealing and attractive. Meanwhile, the overarching theme shows music as a connection through time, combining old with new, heritages, families and movements in a mystical, empowering way.
At the end of the film, I would like to argue that Sammie picks neither the vampire lifestyle nor his faith, but instead chooses the guitar. His passion for music trumps both sides’ ideals, and we here at Takes Two to Review think you should pick this movie over any others playing right now. Earning the first 5/5 of the year from us, “Sinners” is not a film you want to miss in theaters!
Oh, and word to the wise: stay after the credits – and we mean all of the credits.
