“Sinners” is one of the first must-watch films of the year. It is not only a good and fun blockbuster that the theaters direly needed, but it is also an auteur-driven film filled with very interesting ideas. Ryan Coogler is most well-known for his work on the “Black Panther” films for Disney. It is very refreshing to see Coogler break free from established intellectual property (IP) work, like the previously mentioned “Black Panther” movies and the first “Creed,” and do something wholly original.
Michael B. Jordan plays the role of both Stack and Smoke, twins who are former World War I veterans who move back to Mississippi after going to Chicago. One of the first things that struck me in the film was just how brilliantly the film utilizes both sides of Jordan’s movie star persona for both of these roles. Smoke utilizes the side of Jordan that’s more hardened, whereas Stack is the charismatic fast-talker side of him. These twins each showcase a different side of Jordan and they are both exceptionally acted.
However, Jordan is not the only one who is phenomenal in the film. Everyone in the ensemble is great, especially first-time actor Miles Caton, who plays Sammie. Sammie is an aspiring musician and goes with Stack and Smoke to perform at their juke joint. Caton’s performance is the heart of the film, so a lot of the film relies on him, and he absolutely nails it. Another great part of the cast is Delroy Lindo. He is so fun to watch and adds a bit of levity to a very serious movie. Hailee Steinfeld is also great, even if I feel like she is the weakest part of the cast. Lastly, Wunmi Mosaku is a knockout, like the rest of the cast. It’s kind of hard to talk about each individual performance, as each one in this ensemble cast is as fantastic as the next member in the cast list.
The twist that has been spoiled in the marketing doesn’t come until about an hour into the film. You get so immersed in this era and these characters introduced through Smoke and Stack, that when the vampire played by Jack O’Connell arrives, it injects another life into the film and completely changes it in the best way.
Attracted by the sounds of Sammie’s music, the vampires approach the place where the juke is being held. I would not dream of spoiling the sequence that occurs here, but it is the film’s biggest swing. It will either work for you or leave you baffled by the choice. For me, it absolutely worked and I had my jaw dropped for the remaining hour. The level of artistry on display from Coogler’s direction, to Caton’s singing and the incredible Ludwig Görannson score left me speechless.
The ensemble cast is perfect, with a career-best turn from Michael B Jordan and a star-making performance from Miles Caton. The thematic usage of vampires is also one of the most interesting things about this film. Vampires not only suck blood, but they steal the soul of what remains and turn characters into a husk, much like what can happen to black artists’ work and their culture. The way the film touches on the assimilation that has occurred in these areas is touching and moving, which is expected from Coogler.
This is the last step for Coogler, who has now become a must-watch artist for me, among the likes of Christopher Nolan, Jordan Peele and Greta Gerwig. “Sinners” is a perfect start to the summer blockbuster season.
10/10
