I will start off by saying: this is why I love cinema, for movies like this. Sinners, by Ryan Coogler, is a spectacle and such a refreshing watch. It is a movie with a clear vision and many layers, while also celebrating blues music and its role in the 1930s’ for black communities.  

At first glance, this movie seems like a lot, with many things going on at the same time. But on the contrary, Sinners is such an easy movie to dive into, owing that credit to its simplistic plot. We follow the brothers Stack and Smoke (both portrayed by Michael B. Jordan), who return to their hometown in the Mississippi Delta in 1932, planning on opening a juke joint with their new found riches. After thorough preparation, everything goes smoothly during opening night, until some unwelcome guests arrive. 

The first half of this movie introduces us to the complex and compelling main characters, and gives the audience a sense of their community. Though it is not the main theme, we see the reality of being a person of color in these years, which makes their connectedness even stronger, mainly through religion and music.

Then there are the blues, which play such an important role in this story. Being considered a sin, blues music is looked down upon in this time period, but it gives the characters freedom in such a compelling way that we can feel it through the screen. The songs not only fit perfectly in the story, but also give the action scenes a perfect dose of spectacle. The music is what draws in the real evil of this movie: vampires, which drive the second half of the movie. Sinners does draw on the typical vampire clichés such as burning in sunlight, wooden stakes and garlic, which for me were a bit comical at times. However, Sinners’ vampires are unlike anything I have seen before. The vampires in this movie face similar struggles as our main characters, which ironically makes them more human. 

Overall, this is a movie with a lot to say, which it does through music and compelling characters. I would classify this movie as more of a thriller/action than true horror, but so much fun nonetheless. I definitely recommend watching this movie in theaters to truly experience the music, as it is such an integral part of the viewing experience.

Written by Julia Kamphuis