Sinners: The Sensational Story of the Supernatural

In the movie Sinners, released April of 2025, director Ryan Coogler pays homage to African American culture and liberation through a chilling, supernatural tale of vampires. Ryan Coogler is most notable for his filmmaking of black stories, such as Black Panther, Creed, and many more impressive films. The recent film takes place in the 1930s and follows the story of two gangster twin brothers, Smoke & Stack, both played by renowned actor Michael B. Jordan, and their return to their hometown in Mississippi after a series of heists up north in Chicago. The twins aim to use the wealth they have gained to open up their own ‘juke joint’ or night club, and purchase the property from a Klu Klux Klan-affiliated business man. On the opening night of their club, the vibrant and uplifting scene is interrupted when a vampire is drawn in by the blues music being played by the twins’ cousin, Sammie. Sammie’s talent for music unites all the people in the club in a magical and soulful montage of the evolution of African American culture as well as representation for Chinese-Americans grouped in with them. Seeing this scene in theatres was nothing short of fascinating and emotional and has deeply touched the viewers, especially those who felt represented by it. However, in the heart of the moment, danger strikes as the vampires begin to infect those in the club. After being turned into vampires, they are brainwashed by their ringleader, Remmick, who is an Irish immigrant and can relate to the African American community given the time period, as both people of color and Irish people were targeted by the KKK and discriminated against by European colonizers. Remmick pushes the idea to them that immortality is freedom from oppression and that becoming a vampire has allowed them to be free from fear of the risks racism has brought them. The director counters this highlighting how succumbing to this and becoming a vampire binds them to the control of Remmick, who would likely specifically abuse Sammie’s talent for himself with impure intentions. The film follows the main group’s attempt at surviving throughout the night and resisting falling into the vampire’s temptations. In conclusion, this film does an amazing job at representing the struggles people of color faced in this time period, as well as throughout history, (with references to forced religion, slavery, etc). Sinners is a well-written modern masterpiece which holds both an educational, entertaining, and truly cinematic value. It keeps viewers at the edge of their seats and will be regarded as an iconic piece of filmmaking in the future.