“You keep dancing with the devil…. One day, he’s gonna follow you home.”
It’s groundbreaking, it’s touching, it’s unlike anything I’ve seen before, and it’s about… vampires? Directed by Ryan Coogler, Sinners is a must-watch, with a screenplay so creative that all viewers will be spellbound. Not only has the film returned to theaters due to high demand, but Sinners has received a total of 16 Oscar nominations, more than any other movie in history. When watching this film, viewers know they are witnessing something special. Whether it is the characters, plot or music, every moment catches attention.
The plot follows two identical twins, “Smoke” and “Stack”, played by Michael B. Jordan. The notorious duo leaves its life of crime in Chicago to move back home and open a juke joint. Connecting with old (and wary) family and friends, such as their cousin Sammie Moore, played by Miles Caton and Mary, played by Hailee Seinfeld, Smoke and Stack navigate and weave together their dark history and present ambition. However, when evil demons creep into the town to consume its culture, this family is forced to confront a twisted and supernatural fate.
The music is at the heart of this film. Blues were vital to the plot, weaving together a pained history with an expressive resistance. Certain songs like “I Lied to You” incorporate blues, folk, rock, hip-hop, rap and tribal influences, all exploring the value of music in African American culture throughout time. Notable artists on this soundtrack include blues legend Buddy Guy, Don Toliver, Ludwig Goransson (the composer of the Oppenheimer soundtrack), and Miles Caton. Caton’s musical talent took my breath away with his raw performance, a binding piece of this electric soundtrack.
The music, coupled with the memorable visuals, will entrance viewers. The cinematography by Autumn Durald Arkapaw is nothing short of phenomenal, possibly making Durald the first woman to win an Oscar for Best Cinematography. Shooting in both 65mm Ultra Panavision and 65mm IMAX, her bold technique places the audience into the perspective of each character. The wide and dramatic shots of the land, the fluidity of dance scenes in the juke joint and the attention to tone and color attract viewers. Through her composition and use of light, each scene surrounds viewers and creates a moody ambience, proving Sinners to be a visually epic film.
Above all else, however, this movie is important. Yes, Sinners is about vampires, but it shouldn’t be brushed aside as fantasy. Instead, it should be recognized as a social commentary on love overpowering hate, love for music and the places we call home. Set in Mississippi during the Jim Crow Era, the film captures the strength of culture and community. The vampires, a symbol of white supremacy, act as the fighting force, and when the two communities clash, the audience witnesses an honorable refusal to surrender. Through passion, rage and violence, Sinners depicts the classic battle between good and evil with a thrilling twist, and reminds viewers of the outstanding fight for justice within Black history.
Sinners is the kind of movie that sticks with you, the kind that will have you listening to the soundtrack in the weeks to follow and gives you chills as the end credits roll. This movie was crafted with precision and intention, with a dedication to honoring this history. Coogler’s vision, while complex, came together so cohesively, incorporating themes of grief, faith, identity and the defense of one’s community. Sinners reminds us that in the wake of hatred, when darkness threatens to overshadow humanity, and all hope seems lost, all we can do is stand firm and put up the good fight.
