SINNERS (2025)
a review by Evan Landon
A lot of horror movies get a lot of praise these days. Some a little more than others, but at least we are seeing a lot more recognition for the kind of films that are usually overlooked. In fact, many of my arthouse, academy-loving friends like this movie a lot more than I do... & no, that does not make me stupid, or ignorant. Does it?
In Ryan Coogler's original screenplay, that started off as an untitled project, with the leading man he had solidified with his other franchised films, we are introduced to two vastly different characters, who just happen to be twins. That becomes the apparent plot-point extremely quickly. That happens when both twins (played by Michael B. Jordan & Michael B. Jordan), named “Smoke” & “Stack” which are unimaginative enough for it to feel like somebody would name their kids that, except this is the 1930's. So, it fits. They, as a pair, have fought against all odds to become more than mere sharecroppers with the disjointed societal and economic decline as its backdrop. From the cars to the people that inhabit it, the setting of 1932 Clarksdale, Mississippi is so believable that the viewer is never once unaware of that fact.
After the brothers return to their hometown, they decide to take their ill-gotten earnings, made in Chicago, and establish a speakeasy for their community to frequent. With a host of positions for each of their old acquaintances to fill as employment, their opening night is one thing that they were not counting on. An Irish vampire turns a married Klansmen couple, then stumble (or float) upon the twin’s soiree. After turning them away, the vampires elect to set up shop right outside their establishment and end up turning Stack's ex-girlfriend. Once she is invited back inside, well... let's just say things get quite fucked up pretty quickly.
Now, if that sounds like a damn interesting movie, ya damn right it is! If you have read any of my reviews before, you know I love my horror schlock, but for some reason this one just did not gel with me. There were some bewildering choices in this film that threw me off.
To be perfectly honest, this movie has more in common with From Dusk Til Dawn than it is different. Two criminal brothers take their ill-gotten gains to start a new life, then when everything seems like everything is going to work out for them, a bunch of damn vampires show up and slaughter a shitload of people in a bar. Sounds familiar, right?
One thing I definitely enjoyed was the music. Miles Caton really put himself on the map playing the nephew, Sammie, who really is the heart of this film. He definitely did play all of the songs he portrays in the film, and that is so refreshing because all we get in movies these days is dumbed-down remixes of songs we have already heard. Taking this approach certainly adds a lot of depth, as well as bringing to light certain talents that other actors fail to represent. At 20 years-old, the sky is the limit for this talented man.
As far as the gore goes, it's mediocre. Then again, I do give a lot of high praise to grindhouse flicks, so my senses might be a bit augmented. Again, it is no From Dusk Til Dawn. There is a scene that really took me out of the carefully procured setting and that is where the establishment starts going through genres across different times and countries. That shit was jarring and I can see what Coogler is going for, but it just impedes everything built to that point. The ending was a bit lackluster too, but I won't get too much into that for anyone who has not seen it yet.
I am looking forward to Coogler and Jordan's next feature about the Atlanta public school cheating scandal, so that should prove to be interesting enough to watch. It does seem like these two's fates are tied together after Sinners, Black Panther, Fruitvale Station, and the entire Creed series. No problem working with who you like though; it is a hallmark of many prolific filmmakers.
Sinners gets a lot of high praise for what it is and I agree. It is a cool film with a lot of topical and historical things to say... plus vampires! What else do you need?
3.5 Out Of 5