Film Review: The Gamble of “Sinners” Pays Off
The word “Awesome” is thrown around a lot when it comes to films, but Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” resoundingly earns the honor. Part blockbuster with the blues, and part pulpy vampire flick, this genre remix emphatically stomps to its own beat.
It’s set during the Jim Crow South in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and the story takes place over the course of one day, one dusk, one evening and a dawn. Michael B. Jordan plays a pair of twin brothers named Smoke & Stack, and the two roll into town like a hurricane of sharp suits, gold teeth and shady business deals. With their entrepreneurial aspirations on full display, they buy a sawmill and flip it into a juke joint meant for showcasing the talent of local musicians. The club’s grand opening turns out to be a party for the ages.
And by “a party for the ages,” I really mean a party for the ages. One of the film’s most awe-inspiring sequences is a musical montage on the dance floor that conjures up the spiritual evolution of black music and culture, bridging the past, present and future in such a surreal and creative way. It’s a moment where I knew I was witnessing something truly extraordinary. Oh, and did I mention that there are vampires lurking about?
The blood-sucking narrative turn can feel jarring, but that’s the point. The film’s mashup of genres is most reminiscent of HBO’s “Lovecraft Country,” where American history bleeds into horror and the supernatural. What unfolds is a tale of paranoia and survival—an old-fashioned ‘Avoid getting bit at all costs’ saga.
“Sinners” is elevated by its all-around technical craft. The camera work is graceful, the script is full of quotable lines, and the score and music-driven scenes are lively and soulful. The film is just as much of an ode to music as it is to cinema itself. Even the editing choices catch a rhythm. Michael B. Jordan is such a great screen presence here, and Jack O’Connell delivers a fully game performance as the story’s bloodthirsty antagonist.
Ryan Coogler’s films always don a sense of palpable passion on their sleeves, and “Sinners” continues on with that tradition. He takes a huge risk here, and the gamble pays off big time.
“Sinners” is available to rent or buy on all major streaming platforms, and available to stream with your HBO MAX subscription.
Zach Murphy is an avid enthusiast of cinema, theater and storytelling. He lives with his wonderful wife Kelly in St. Paul. You can read more reviews at his blog, Fade to Zach.
