Following the successes of Creed and Black Panther, Ryan Coogler returns with Sinners, a bold and hybrid film that fuses musical, horror, and historical drama. In his fifth feature film, the African-American director delves into the deep wounds of the American South through a dark, immersive tale shot in 65mm and 70mm film, made for the IMAX experience.
Set in Mississippi’s inland delta in 1932, during the Prohibition era and under the grip of the Jim Crow laws, the story unfolds in a racially segregated society. Twin brothers Smoke and Stack—both played by Michael B. Jordan, Coogler’s long-time collaborator—return to their hometown, where the Ku Klux Klan seeks to reestablish an oppressive order once enforced by former slave-owning elites. Through supernatural folklore and political commentary, Coogler crafts a haunting narrative infused with history, pain, and soul-stirring music.
Like filmmakers Dee Rees (Mudbound) and Jordan Peele (Get Out), Coogler represents a new generation reimagining classic Hollywood genres to amplify Black voices. Sinners is an ambitious and visually striking film—flawed at times, but undeniably powerful in its message and artistic vision. It’s a cinematic experience that leaves a lasting impression.
