Review: Sinners

Sinners is a thrilling blend of genres: it begins as an earnest, richly directed period piece and then erupts with cinematic force into B‑movie horror with Hollywood scale. Ryan Coogler’s direction balances mood and mythology before unleashing supernatural chaos in the Mississippi Delta.

Michael B. Jordan is magnetic in dual roles as twin brothers Smoke and Stack—two returning World War I veterans building a juke joint in 1932 Clarksdale. Smoke is controlled swagger; Stack is reckless charm. Their doubling echoes this year’s trend of twin performances—think of the (less successful) Mickey 17 or Alto Knights—and Jordan pulls it off with subtle physical and vocal distinctions that keep both versions alive.

This film is also a triumph for original cinema. It debuted with a stunning $45.6 million domestic opening weekend and earned $61 million globally, outperforming even A Minecraft Movie in its initial take. Impressively, it became one of the highest‑grossing original films of the year—an achievement made possible, in part, by Coogler’s rare studio deal granting him creative control.

The music, scored by Ludwig Göransson alongside originals by Brittany Howard, James Blake, Rod Wave, and others, is integral. The opening night sequence at the juke joint pulses with blues‑infused ritual; it’s where music becomes magic, merging past and present, community and horror. The soundtrack has brought a resurgence of interest in blues music, even prompting legends like Buddy Guy to praise the film for helping revive the genre.

Coogler starts with rich period detail—dusty streets, swaying wood-paneled interiors, civil rights undercurrents—but he doesn’t linger there for long. The second act pivots into full grindhouse horror, where vampire mythos and violence clash with ancestral folklore and structural racism. The final sequences have the oomph of a blockbuster climax while never shedding their spiritual weight.

Sinners is a rare original mega‑genre film: part Southern Gothic drama, part supernatural horror, part blues musical. It’s visceral and vivid, elegiac and edgy. Coogler proves once again he can deliver entertainment that’s culturally resonant and unpredictable. A joyfully dark ride with heart, depth, and unforgettable rhythm.