Sinners Movie Review: A Feature Film Black Culture didn't know it Needed
- Kelsei Brianna
- Apr 24, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 13, 2025
By Kelsei Brianna
What started as notes and opinions on the film to discuss with friends has turned into a thousand-word op-ed. Y’all can thank Ryan Coogler for both reawakening my OP-ED arc and a compelling film that has conquered social media timelines and the box office this past weekend, Sinners. I have an affinity for film and am drawn to any movie, TV show, doc or short with the slightest romantic plot even if it is accompanied by sinful flesh-eating vampires in the 1930s.
To keep myself guessing, I stuck to the basics and only watched the trailer and the occasional think piece on my ‘for you’ page. I had an idea of the twisted fantasy this film might be about, but vampires were an afterthought. After watching the trailer my theory was Gemini twins—Michael B. Jordan would play this set of twins that are one person but split into two when they deemed necessary at the hand of a sinister magic that eventually caught up with them. While watching the film some language used in the film supported this theory, “I am nothing without him,” or “He’s my better half,” said Smoke and Stack played by Jordan. I was glad I was wrong because I have a strong disdain for predictable plots.
I went from thinking it was based on an ability that Jordan had to seeing their power was just getting to the paper, commanding a room and simply sinning after sitting through the two-hour long film.
As Coogler recommended, I saw the film in IMAX, wishing I was in one of the ten cities that had the 70 MM versions. Regardless, the screening was everything and so was the structure of this film.
It is important for the beginning of a movie to make sense to that the ending will follow. The opening scene was understandable by the end of the film and was a classic yet effective way to set up the plot by recanting the events from the day before. A simple “what happened last night” plot—not sure if it is called that but I like that phrase. I appreciated the subtle nuggets of lore dropped into the script, background and body language of the characters. It was helpful to understand who was connected to who and how. Introducing Sammie/Preacher Boy, portrayed by Miles Caton, by walking him into his family’s church and what appeared to be youth Sunday after a night of sinning was logical. Viewing this part wholly at the end made it feel like he came for a final goodbye and cleansing before living a life filled with music as he dreamed of. Maybe it is just me but after being hunted by vampires, fighting them off and watching them burn in the daylight I would probably be sat for a few services.
Reflecting on the rising action—Smoke and Stack returning to Clarksdale, Miss. to start their business by poaching performers, chefs and buying the old mill to throw this party in was organized well. Given the decade, the twins knew doing business with Hogwood, portrayed by David Maldonado, was risky. Yet, their whole scheme was risky, so it tracks. The only person that was undeservingly mistreated was Lisa. She was waving bye to her parents for the last time, and I feel like she knew something was going to happen given Smoke and Stack’s reputation in the town.
Side bar—this movie raised a lot of curiosity in me. Why exactly were the Choctaw Indian Group hunting a vampire, Remmick played by Jack O’Connell (who was excellent in Skins btw)? Is there a connection between the tribes and vampire hunting, like IRL? What are Mississippi’s ties to vampires? Specifically, the Mississippi Delta.
The climax of this movie was my favorite part. Sammie’s voice luring the vampires to ‘Club Juke’ while also initiating the visual of the evolution of music within Black culture was telling. This scene supplemented the point of why Sammie’s voice was so powerful, along with his dad’s, portrayed by Saul Williams, warning that he did not heed. I did not expect this scene but will come to appreciate it as the movie continues to marinate with me. The ‘war’ between the vampires and mortals was powerful in more ways than one. It really played on elements of grief, love, relinquish, death, family and so much more in one scene. I find this part of the movie the most interesting as it makes all the characters' backstories come together as one.
Smoke saving Sammie from Remmick in the lake was just as intense. They turned the camera around to Smoke clenching Sammie firmly as they watched the vampires disintegrate, I was like, “Them boys acting now,” the Southern really jumped out.
The ending of the movie was full circle. The individual endings and deaths tracked with their character background and qualities that stood out through the course of the movie.
I value the entire structure of this movie, the integration of love, dark fantasy and gore is worthy of applause. I did have my favorite and least favorite characters, however. These are the ones I felt strongly about and why:
Smoke and Stack played by Michael B. Jordan
It is literally MBJ, how can I not love these characters. The scene where Smoke was gunning down members of the Klan was honorable. It made me want a villian-esque film starring MBJ. The trauma that the twins endured as children—their father beating them relentlessly and killing just to live—made them who they were in their adulthood. Stack living on as a vampire while Smoke moved on to the afterlife with his family was two differing endings for the duo, but I believe it was appropriate. Stack becoming a vampire gave the movie a twist.
Sammie/Preacher Boy portrayed by Miles Canton
For this to be somewhat of a breakthrough role for him, I can understand why the story was told through both him and the twins. Sammie was needed in this film but with just him alone as the narrative device the movie would have fallen short. I like the purpose of the character and this being a look into almost of coming-of-age arc for him in this film.
Mary portrayed by Hailee Steinfeld
Yeah, so if you liked this character, stop reading here. I wish I could hold her hand when I say this, girl stand up! The way she confronted Stack he basically called her a dummy, and she still stuck around trying to convince him to love her. Girl. Please. The two Klan members from the beginning might have caused this domino of events but she prolonged it by going outside trying to prove herself to Stack. Sister, he does not want you. Imagine attending your mother’s funeral one day, then you are a vampire the next day. All behind a man, couldn't be me.
Delta Slim portrayed by Delroy Lindo
Slim was obviously the bulk of comedic relief in this film. I enjoyed his slick jokes even in the height of the story. I was not a fan of him becoming a sacrificial martyr. I believe his character ending or death could have been flushed out more.
Annie portrayed by Wunmi Mosaku
I really enjoyed Annie as a character, and I appreciate the actor even more. It was refreshing to see a Black woman with a rich skin complexion and hair texture like mine playing a character with roots in Louisiana on the screen. I understand why her character was roped up into Smoke and Stack’s scheme but her dying should not have come as a result of it. Even though she was at peace with this.
Cornbread portrayed by Omar Benson Miller
Truthfully, I am mostly including him because the vampire version of him was completely petrifying. The scene where they are dancing and singing outside of Club Juke was incredibly bone-chilling and I have never said the word bone-chilling before.
It goes without saying that I enjoyed this movie. I can talk about it for weeks to come. I am relishing the theories, think pieces, and arguments on threads. The more questions people ask me about this movie I think the deeper my thoughts and opinions go. Initially, I gave the film a 9/10 but after letting it mull over for a few days my rating has shifted to a 10/10.
Now, time for me to get knee deep in comment sections and TikTok discourse on this movie. Find me in the threads!
smoke and stack are the only pair of jordans i want