Ryan Coogler’s Sinners is tearing up the box office, raking in over $160 million since its April 18th debut. With that kind of buzz, I had to see if it lived up to the hype. Here’s my mostly spoiler-free review.
The Story
Michael B. Jordan delivers a powerhouse performance, or should I say performances, as twin brothers Smoke and Stack. The film plunges us into the Jim Crow era South, where the brothers return to their hometown, dreaming of opening a lively Juke Joint. However, their homecoming is far from welcoming, as an ancient evil lurks, waiting to greet them. Amidst the hustle of preparing for opening night, the twins navigate a tangled web of romantic interests, family drama, and the ever-present threat of the Klan. But when a bloodthirsty vampire bares its fangs and begins turning the townsfolk into creatures of the night, the brothers and their friends are thrown into a brutal, no-holds-barred fight for survival.
A Soundtrack That’s Pure Magic
First off, let’s talk about the soundtrack. From the moment the opening credits rolled, the music was a character in itself. It burrowed under my skin, leaving me with goosebumps and an involuntary toe-tap on that sticky, popcorn-strewn theater floor. This soundtrack is an absolute masterpiece for any blues fan, and I count myself firmly in that camp. Miles Canton, who plays the twins’ cousin Sammi, possesses a voice that is simply transfixing. Every note he sang resonated with a raw emotion that elevated the entire film.
Sinners is rich with the cultural nuances of the time and doesn’t shy away from the heartbreaking legacy of history. There’s one particular scene – and I won’t spoil the specifics for you – but if you’ve experienced Sinners, you know the one. When Canton belts out a soulful tune, the Juke Joint’s dance floor transforms into something truly magical. It was a moment that completely blew me away, leaving me with chills.
A Duo That’s To Die For
This isn’t the first time the dynamic duo of director Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan have joined forces. Their previous collaborations on Creed and Black Panther have cemented them as a formidable team in Hollywood. They possess a synergy that consistently yields exceptional projects. Every great actor and director eventually has that one project that defines their career, for better or worse. My gut tells me Sinners is that defining moment for Jordan and Coogler. If I’m right, their futures in filmmaking are blindingly bright.
High Expectations
I walked into the theater with sky-high expectations, and for once, I can honestly say I wasn’t even slightly disappointed. The entire cast delivered phenomenal performances, the music was an absolute revelation, and the story itself is a gripping narrative that will pull you in from the first frame and leave you perched precariously on the edge of your seat until the end. We’re only halfway to Halloween, but I’m calling it now: I won’t be surprised in the slightest to see Sinners sitting comfortably at the top of our “Best of 2025” list this December.
Go see this movie—you won’t regret it. But a word of warning: Make sure you get your tickets in advance! Let me tell you, securing a ticket to watch it this weekend was a feat in itself—the show was completely sold out by the time I made it to the theater. Luckily, I got my tickets online ahead of time.
For fans of Michael B. Jordan, we have some great news. He seems very comfortable in the horror genre and has signed up for his next horror movie, The House of Last Resort. We’ll keep you posted.
