In a world of sure fire bets, where IP, sequels, and franchises rule, there are few within the Hollywood system who buck the trend, subverting genres, making truly original cinema. Director Ryan Coogler is one such filmmaker whose films Creed and Black Panther took established cinematic norms and he made them his very own. Here with Sinners Coogler appears to have had the greatest creative freedom so far in his career with breathtaking results. Exquisitely crafted in every way, Sinners is a cinematic triumph bursting with originality, gore, characters you want to root for and is a film with a heck of a lot to say. One of the year's best films.  

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Set in 1933 in the Mississippi Delta under the heavy weight of the Jim Crow laws, twin brothers Smoke and Stack have returned home after serving in World War I and working for Chicago gangsters. Using their ill gotten gains the brothers plan to open a juke joint, a place where their community can drink and dance their troubles away, far from the eyes of white folks. But Remmick, a mysterious singing stranger, arrives to interrupt their merriment with an ungodly lust for blood. 

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In the first few frames of the film we’re told of the power of music and that certain people with a rare gift can open a portal to the other side, drawing demons with their musical power. With this narrative framing hanging over proceedings, the first half of the film, which feels more like an in depth historical drama in the best kind of way, slowly builds the tension towards the supernatural element at the heart of the film. 

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And even when this is revealed, Coogler manages to capture something unique and fresh in a genre piece that is as old as cinematic storytelling itself. It’s subtly beautiful, weaving African folklore and Judea-Christian spirituality throughout. Thematically there is a lot happening here which will require multiple viewings to fully appreciate from that of the supernatural to the societal and racial conflict and tension that could also speak to our world today.

 

Sinners is a gorgeous film to look at from its painstakingly precise production design and costuming to Autumn Durald Arkapaw’s gorgeously crafted cinematography and Ludwig Gorannson’s thunderous soul filled score that envelopes the film making it one of the most precisely crafted and beautiful movies you’ll see this year. 

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The cast are all superb from Michael B. Jordan, pulling double duty in playing twins, sublimely subtle portrayal of the two brothers who simmer with rage to newcomer Miles Caton’s career launching performance. Jack O’Connell crafts out a villain that, much like Jordan’s Killmonger in Black Panther, is likable with a pretty persuasive argument underneath his thirsty bloodlust. While Hailee Steinfeld’s Mary doesn’t have a lot of screen time, she absolutely makes the most of what she does have, hitting her first ‘grown up’ role out of the park. 

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Exquisitely crafted in every way, Sinners is a cinematic triumph bursting with originality, gore, characters you want to root for and is a film with a heck of a lot to say. One of the year's best films.