Sinners (2025)

Well, it took me a couple of weeks to see what everyone was raving about but I finally managed to make enough time to get to the theater and watch Ryan Coogler’s latest masterpiece, Sinners. Masterpiece is a word I rarely use these days but I feel that way about most of his work and he hasn’t let me down yet, especially not with this film. This one served as a reminder why I love movies so much and when it comes to a particular fixator like myself, that’s saying something. One of my favorite things about Coogler is his collaboration with Michael B. Jordan in all of the films he’s directed. These two are quite the team and Jordan is always a force to be reckoned with whenever he’s on the screen. Another thing is the way Coogler goes about getting a message across. I know he hasn’t directed a lot of films but each one that he has, are so unique, different, and always gets the audience thinking about it after the credits start. I feel like his films always leave a lasting impact on the viewer and that’s how it felt for me after the film ended. There’s so much more to be said about this memorable motion picture experience, so let’s get into that.

     The film takes place in 1930’s Mississippi, when twin Brothers Smoke and Stack Moore (both played by Michael B. Jordan) return home and try to leave their troubled lives behind. But their time back soon takes a turn for the worst when a great evil approaches. As I mentioned before, Coogler’s films are always different and what makes this one stand out from his other ones is how he tackles the horror genre. I read online that he had a lot of inspirations for making this, one of them being the film, From Dusk Till Dawn. I can see that as being an inspiration since part of it did make me think of that movie, except this one actually felt scary and I felt more attached (something very rare for me) to the characters in this one. It especially helps when you have a stellar cast that also includes newcomer Miles Caton, Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Delroy Lindo, Li Jun Li, Yao, Jayme Lawson, and so many others. The movie has a killer soundtrack and score to go along with it. I thought composer Ludwig Göransson was at the top of his game here and I love how the music choices blended blues, gospel, folk, and metal to reflect the film’s themes. The story was top notch and it kept my anxiety levels going through the roof, wondering how the next scene would play out. I know we’re not that far into the year and there will be more films to come out along the way but I can safely say, as other people have, that this is the best movie of the year so far. And if anything, this just makes me more excited to see what else comes out this year..

     This movie still lives rent-free in my mind and it probably will for a while. I guess if my hyper-focused brain is going to be fixated on something, it might as well be on this unforgettable cinematic screen viewing. I don’t think I actually have one negative thing to say about this movie and as someone who pays close attention to everything, that’s saying a lot. With that being said, I give this movie a perfect 10 out of 10. If you’re a fan of Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan, horror, or if you want to experience how me and a lot of other people felt, then go check this film out if you haven’t already. A beautifully brutal standout that deserves to be seen on the big screen.