“Sinners” is the newest project from the dynamic duo of director Ryan Coogler and actor Michael B. Jordan. The pair previously worked together on Fruitvale Station, Creed and Black Panther, all of which were critically and commercially successful. “Sinners,” however, sets itself apart— not only in genre, as it’s Coogler’s first horror film, but in quality. With no exaggeration, “Sinners” is the best film of 2025 so far.
The movie opens in 1932, Jim Crow-era Mississippi. The sun is beating down on a small chapel, and we hear the proceedings from outside. Sammie — played by Miles Caton — stumbles into his father’s church beaten and torn, holding nothing but the remnant of a guitar. A scar on his face, ripped clothes and a thousand-yard stare show us all we need to know — trouble is out there, and it found him. We flashback 24 hours, and see a different Sammie. He’s happy, talking with the people of his town and he’s healthy.
The rest of the story proceeds from here, the day leading up to the church scene. We know what becomes of Sammie; this film isn’t about the ending, it’s about the journey. We continue on to meet Michael B. Jordan’s character — well, characters, that is. He plays a set of twins: Smoke and Stack. They are Sammie’s cousins who just returned from Chicago, where they made out with a lot of cash and a dream. They wanted to start a juke joint, an establishment for their community with live music, drinks, cards and anything else that could make money.
This movie unravels as a telling of the night: the events, the people and the music. Let’s start with the events, where it moves from funny, to serious, to unsettling all while maintaining a high level of realism. You learn more about each of the individual characters as you go, picking up tidbits about their history, relationships and the world in general. Unnatural elements get sprinkled in more and more throughout the runtime, slowly transitioning this film from a period piece about the Black experience to a thrilling horror masterclass.
The people make the movie. All the characters feel lively, having their own stories and background. There is not a single performance in “Sinners” that feels phoned-in, or unbelievable. Michael B. Jordan plays not one, but two roles to perfection. Hailee Steinfeld also has a standout performance here with one of the best roles of her career. Miles Caton’s debut as Sammie is a homerun. Not only is this his acting debut, but his film debut. He has never worked on any film, TV show, or other project outside of his career as a singer. All of a sudden he’s starring in one of the largest films of the year, and he crushed it.
Finally, the film simply looks beautiful. The scenery is perfect. Camera angles are flawless, with no less than three individual shots that I still remember days after watching. Characters stand out on screen, the horror looks gorey and stunning, and the use of light is the ribbon on top. It’s appealing to watch, a treat to listen to and a compelling story to follow. This movie earns four-and-a-half stars out of five, and more than likely an Oscar or two to follow.
