I’ve noticed that my habits around movie-watching have changed throughout the time I’ve written film reviews. As a teen and 20-something, I would carefully research films I planned to see before going to the cinema so I would know exactly what I was getting into. Nowadays, I like going into a movie almost blind and enjoying the surprises. Sinners was a suggestion from my partner: I enthusiastically agreed based on Ryan Coogler directing, Michae/l B. Jordan playing twins – oh, and there are vampires. Lots of vampires. Okay, some things don't change with me because you know I like me some bloodsuckers when they're done right on screen.
The Smoke-Stack twins (Michael B. Jordan) return to their hometown
after many years. They intend to make a fresh start, setting up a bar with
their cousin “Preacher Boy” Sammie, but a darker force is at work to welcome
them back.
The Mississippi heat is palpable, drawn out by Coogler’s love of
unedited, drawn-out shots and natural light. For this review, I read an article
about the costumes to confirm that, yes, Ruth E. Carter designed them (and the
costumes for Black Panther). They feel lived in; the men wear
oversized suits, and my favourite costume is the faded pink dress Mary (Hailee
Steinfeld, True Grit) wears to coincide with Stack’s preference for
snappy red. Meanwhile, his brother wears blue-collar colours.
Sinners is a tribute to the blues and the culture it came
from. Composer Ludwig Göransson makes magic, helped by the rich, soulful voice
of young Miles Canton. Watch out for him; he’s a rising star.
The film also pays homage to the power of faith and community…and how
much mess can be made when entitled white folk get involved. Sigh. Jack
O’Connell (SAS: Rogue Heroes) is playing an Irish vampire, a
poetically inclined rogue. There’s some catharsis around attacking some KKK
members, but they only join the strange hive mind. With that said, I thoroughly
enjoyed them dancing and singing to the Irish song “Rocky Road to Dublin.”
Similarly, the entire sequence when Preacher Boy performs in the Duke joint
left me slack-jawed in wonder. Cinema is at its most spellbinding here.
Sinners offers a new, more grounded slant to the vampire
genre in the sweaty American South in all its racist facets. Given their track
record, it’s no surprise that Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Göransson, and Michael B.
Jordan make something special. Make sure to stay till the end of the credits.
My Rating: 5 STARS OUT OF 5
My Sources:
Sinners poster - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinners_%282025_film%29
Ryan Coogler’s films - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3363032/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_in_0_q_rya
Sinners cast - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31193180/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_4_nm_4_in_0_q_sinn
Is Ludwig Göransson the composer? - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3234869/
Sinners costume designer - https://www.essence.com/fashion/ruth-e-carter-sinners-costume-design/
What’s the song Remmick and his gang performs? - https://www.what-song.com/song/697246/rocky-road-to-dublin
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