“Sinners” is an R-rated horror and adventure film that hit theaters in spring 2025. Grossing approximately 341 million dollars worldwide, it has more than made up for its 90 million dollar budget. The movie has been incredibly well-received, with raving reviews from celebrities like Pedro Pascal and Tom Cruise and a rating of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. Once you watch the film, it’s easy to see why.
Sinners was immaculate. A film like this hasn’t been in the theaters for a long time. With it being an original idea, it especially stands out amidst a plethora of remakes, sequels and long-running franchise movies such as Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning, Lilo and Stitch, Final Destination: Bloodlines, Thunderbolts and Superman (the list goes on). For a new movie to be so well-received in the current Hollywood climate, it has to be doing something right.
While Director Ryan Coogler has been in the industry for about 12 years, having directed films like “Black Panther” and “Creed,” this is his very first original film, and he really put on a show. Coogler was already on the map, but “Sinners” brought him to the forefront and put focus on original screenplays and original ideas. It focuses on the stories of two twin brothers, Smoke and Stack, gangsters that return to their hometown to open a juke joint for the Black community they grew up in. To entertain visitors with his musical talent, they recruit their young cousin Sammie, an aspiring guitarist who longs to play the blues despite his pastor father’s disapproval. To make a long story short, vampires infiltrate and surround the juke joint, and it’s up to the people trapped inside to fight their way out.
Much credit for the movie’s acclaim must be given to the cast. As a newcomer, Miles Caton (“Sammie”) does a stellar job holding his own amongst big names like Michael B. Jordan and Hailee Steinfeld. From the get-go, Caton plays Sammie with the perfect balance of bravado and earnestness, instantly cementing his portrayal as one of the strongest performances in the entire film. Simply put, in a movie where every single cast member is at the top of their game, Caton’s acting stands out amongst that of industry veterans because he is simply that good.
That’s not to discount the performances of Jordan and Steinfeld. Jordan acts as not one but two central characters, portraying identical twin brothers “Smoke” and “Stack.” He does so with such thoughtfulness and distinction that it is always clear who he is portraying at what time. Steinfeld plays “Mary,” a woman with whom Stack has a complicated relationship. Mary is characterized as a white-passing mixed woman who grapples with her identity throughout the film, and Steinfeld portrays her with such integrity and understanding, allowing her character arc throughout the film to play out beautifully. The way that the actors show the shifting dynamics between their characters is priceless to the story that “Sinners” tells.
Another thing that “Sinners” did well was its tie-in of the supernatural. While some movies set in a historical time period introduce supernatural elements to the detriment of the story, this film struck the perfect balance. It works in subtle references from the very beginning, hinting at where the story will go with mention of superstitions and spiritual practices. “Sinners” gives spellbinding action while leaving space for essential character development and moments of connection, deftly avoiding the problem of “doing too much” with the thematic parallels drawn between the supernatural horror and historical trauma. The film does a captivating job weaving themes into the challenges the characters face, both interpersonal and vampiric, and the movie would be incomplete if either element was removed.
Besides the phenomenal choices made in the acting and direction of the film, the intentionality of the music in “Sinners” is exceptional. Sammie’s relationship with music is inextricably linked to his journey and growth throughout the film, and when the characters feel the music, you feel it with them. You feel you are breathing with them, existing only in the moments in which the notes are playing. Miles Caton’s performance is radiant, impossible to take your eyes off of, yet blinding with its brilliance. There is one unforgettable moment, a scene where Sammie plays his guitar and the audience is taken on a journey highlighting the musical expression of Black Americans throughout U.S. history. We are suspended in time as the characters are, living the past, the present and the future all at once. You see the threads that tie us to our ancestors, the way that music connects everyone to a shared history and culture. When I experienced this part in the theater, everyone held their breath. As it ended, we inhaled and exhaled as one.
Watching “Sinners” was a breath of fresh air, especially given the presence of constant remakes and sequels in the industry right now. Even though the promise of a returning audience seems like a safe bet and a reason to keep remaking movies and continuing franchises rather than branching out, “Sinners” shows what can happen when you take a chance on something new. Putting more emphasis on getting original ideas on the big screen is something that would really benefit the industry right now. It would drive producers, directors and screenwriters forward with collective imagination stretching into the unknown. “Sinners” demonstrates the importance of moving forward with unique concepts and how much it can pay off.
There is truly nothing like seeing an original film for the first time that completely knocks your socks off. It’s what makes the movie theater experience magical. With the Hollywood formula of action sequels and Disney remakes, you know what you’re going to get. You know what to expect. What’s the point of showing up for a movie you’ve seen a million times before? I forgot what it felt like to watch something I’ve never seen before and fall in love with it, and “Sinners” reminded me of that feeling. From its stunning cinematography to its sharp dialogue, this movie encapsulates the power and importance of good cinema, of telling a story that needs to be told.
Every single person who worked on this movie understood the message they were trying to give, and they spoke with one voice and one artistic vision that comes across very clearly. You’ve read all our reactions and thoughts about the movie, but it’s time to make your own. You won’t see it for what it truly is if you don’t experience it yourself. So get out there — see it on the big screen, and see what makes “Sinners” the cinematic spectacle of the year.
