The hype is real: Ryan Coogler’s Sinners is the best film of the year so far and his most personal and engrossing film yet. The combination of thoughtfully crafted and complex thematic layers with elite production craft (shot with IMAX film cameras), yields an entertaining, fascinating and compelling cinematic experience; chock-full of storytelling, world-building, characters, humor, and bloody spectacle that are all completely immersive.
Coogler deftly takes his time in establishing this world, where the setup of environments and character arcs are almost more engaging than the supernatural horror. Mississippi in the 1930s is a brutal time and place for black Americans; the apex of the Jim Crow South. Coogler doesn’t shy away from the unjust reality, but cathartically explores the lived experience of the characters through the power of blues music. Coogler mentioned in an interview that the film was somewhat of a tribute to his grandparents and an exploration of blues music and culture. He said this film was “therapy” to him.
Music really is the star of the show. Throughout the film, a symphony of blues washes over the audience; interestingly positioned within a multitude of contexts: friends gathering together OR trying to escape the carnage of vampires out for blood. The music is a mesmerizing character in and of itself (accompanying score composed by Oscar winner Ludwig Göransson).
I’ve always liked and appreciated Michael B. Jordan. He’s been on the rise as an actor and producer over the past decade, but to date I haven’t seen him necessarily atop the mountain among the elite actors of his generation. That all changed with Sinners. Jordan is electric. Playing twin gangsters with fierce intensity and charisma that is simply magnetic. It’s easily his most commanding and impressive performance yet.
Speaking of performances, Coogler assembles a supporting cast whose chemistry is palable. You feel like they’ve all truly known each other and have deep past connections. Hailee Steinfeld, Wunmi Mosaku, Delroy Lindo, and Jack O’Connell stand out as the strongest contributors. O’Connell really delivered as the blood-thirsty antagonist, who offers a unique combination of menace and charm.
Sinners isn’t perfect: the pacing could have been a little tighter and the second of the two end credits scenes didn’t add much value. But all in all, this film is simply incredibly well made, thought-provoking, wonderfully original, and worthy of being seen on the big screen. Prepare yourself for sex and blood.
