‘Sinners’ Review: A Heavenly Horror Film From Ryan Coogler

Measuring the suspense level of a movie can be challenging, but here’s one approach. Ryan Coogler‘s latest film, “Sinners,” creates and maintains such an intense level of suspense that I involuntarily made a noise at a particularly tense moment. Upon reflection, I discovered I had unconsciously clenched my seat so tightly that I cracked the back cover of my notebook. (Yes, I jot down observations during films, as do other sophisticated moviegoers.)

So yeah, Sinners is pretty intense.

If “Sinners” merely offered a compelling thriller experience, it would still be worth watching. However, this film transcends the genre by not only scaring you but also stimulating your intellect. In the wake of the somewhat chaotic “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” it solidly reaffirms Coogler’s status as one of our most talented contemporary Hollywood directors.

The previews for this movie subtly avoid showing all its complex layers and messages. Consequently, the film Sinners not only gives you a shock, it catches you off guard as well. It frequently changes pace, veering into one surprising, delightful scene after another, while still delivering the necessary chills for any supernatural horror tale. A few of its unexpected style and tone shifts are so confusing they had me laughing with delight. I’ll try to maintain those elements when explaining the storyline.

In Ryan Coogler’s film, Michael B. Jordan plays the twin roles of Smoke and Stack. These characters’ names are one of many symbolic references to hellfire, a recurring motif in the movie that explores themes of freedom and temptation within a perilous environment. Upon their return from the Chicago underworld in 1932, the brothers aspire to start a juke joint aimed at serving Mississippi’s struggling black farmers with their accumulated funds. The grand opening attracts a sizable crowd, including Smoke and Stack’s acquaintances and ex-lovers who are eager to assist them in launching their enterprise.

As a cinephile, let me tell you about the diverse cast in this movie: I’m particularly excited to see Wunmi Mosaku portray Annie, a character with a tragic past intertwined with Smoke’s storyline. Additionally, Hailee Steinfeld brings Annie to life, a woman who shared a clandestine romance with Stack and whose late mother played a crucial role in raising the twins since their childhood.

There’s also a charming local business-owning duo, Yao and Li Jun Li, who add authenticity to the bar’s cuisine. Lastly, Delroy Lindo delivers an electrifying performance as a tipsy old bluesman, drawn to the establishment by the allure of genuine Irish beer that has been freshly transported from Prohibition-era Chicago.

As a cinema enthusiast, I’m excited to share that the evening’s entertainment is being graced by none other than Sammie, the talented blues guitarist and younger cousin of the twins. He dreams of escaping Mississippi, and his reverend father’s church, to pursue a career in music. With a voice as rich and soulful as the Mississippi delta itself, Sammie is a prodigy, but as the film warns in its opening narration, legends abound about talents so extraordinary they draw the attention of malevolent forces. True to form, Sammie’s grand performance coincides with the arrival of an enigmatic Irish drifter whose friendly smile has a hint of something downright sinister about it.

As you delve into the storyline of O’Connell’s character, it won’t be a spoiler to note that the narrative of Sinners gradually shapes into a chilling survival horror tale. However, Sinners doesn’t hasten towards its brutal climax; instead, it takes its time. The story carefully constructs its characters, providing enough space to thoroughly introduce and delve into the minds of our protagonists (and sometimes even antagonists).

The narrative follows Smoke and Stack as they embark on their venture of opening a bar. Their encounters with associates, family, and acquaintances serve to uncover their aspirations, dreams, as well as the grim realities of the racially charged South during the Jim Crow era where they reside.

As the violence eventually unfolds, Coogler (the film’s writer) has developed these characters so deeply and the actors have infused their roles with such authentic humanity that it becomes even more distressing to witness their fight for survival. Some of the scenes are so tense, they feel almost unbearable – I even broke my notebook from crying.

As I immerse myself in the cinematic universe Coogler has crafted, it’s clear that there’s a profound narrative unfolding beyond the surface – a tale about America, music, cultural appropriation, and the stories we weave about the genesis of artistic greatness. Remarkably, he manages to seamlessly interweave all these themes into a single, concise film that is not only thought-provoking but also chilling, sensual, and at times, hilariously funny.

The movie takes a significant turn, coming incredibly close to hitting a home run. My sole criticism: After building up the climactic showdown between the survivors and monsters at the juke joint for such an extended period, the eventual confrontation in Sinners feels somewhat sudden and underwhelming. Director Coogler is so skillful at stretching out that tense standoff that I wished it could go on longer; I would have gladly endured more nail-biting suspense for another hour.

On the contrary, it’s not the most heinous crime for a movie to leave viewers yearning for more time. In fact, the way Coogler skillfully wraps up the core themes of Sinners within a conventional horror narrative is nothing short of brilliant. He expertly manipulates his audience, much like a virtuoso playing a fiddle… or a blues guitar.

Additional Thoughts:

After-movie scenes are usually considered a time-wasting experience, neither enjoyable for those on-screen nor for viewers. However, the post-credits scenes in Sinners are exceptions; they’re worth sticking around for. The initial scene is crucial to grasping Coogler’s intentions completely. It’s recommended that you stay until you’ve at least watched that one.

As a cinephile, I find it intriguing that within just two months, Warner Bros. has churned out three movies featuring top-tier stars playing twins or doppelgangers: Mickey 17 with Robert Pattinson, The Alto Knights with Robert De Niro, and now Sinners starring Michael B. Jordan. One wonders if the folks at Warner Bros.’ market research division are on to something, suggesting that audiences crave more films featuring A-listers in dual roles. However, among these three releases, I must admit that Sinners stands out as the cream of the crop, making it the best movie I’ve seen in 2025 thus far.

RATING: 9/10

10 Horror Movies So Extreme They Made People Physically Sick

1. The Last House on the Left (1972)

In my perspective, I’m often associated with the thrilling, audience-engaging horror of “Scream” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street” – series that Craven created, which despite their chills, carry an underlying sense of amusement. However, his first directorial venture veered quite far from this lightheartedness, and it didn’t birth any long-lasting sequels (apart from a poorly received remake). The film, “The Last House on the Left,” was a rape-revenge movie so intense that upon its debut, tales circulated of viewers fainting, vomiting, and urging cinemas to destroy their copies instead of showing it again. Released four years after the demise of the Hays Code, which restricted graphic violence onscreen, Craven seized this opportunity to compel viewers to witness the brutal acts of the movie’s villains and protagonists in their entirety without holding back. The promotional content emphasized the extreme violence, advising viewers to repeat “It’s only a movie…” to prevent fainting.

2. The Exorcist (1973)

If you’ve watched “The Exorcist,” you might recall the nauseating scenes that caused some viewers to faint, vomit, or even leave the theater prematurely. Reports also suggest that a few audience members had heart attacks while watching it. Although today we are accustomed to horror movies pushing boundaries, at that time, nothing like “The Exorcist” had ever been seen before, and its shivers continue to resonate. There was once an urban legend about a woman who claimed to have fainted due to the film’s intensity, hit her jaw on the seat in front of her, and sued Warner Bros. for using subliminal messages that allegedly traumatized her. While this story may not be factual, given the buzz surrounding the movie, it is plausible that such an incident could have taken place.

3. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

In a pre-viral marketing era, “The Blair Witch Project” stood out with its realistic approach that blurred the line between fiction and reality, sending chills down viewers’ spines. However, it wasn’t just the suspenseful buildup or puzzling finale that left audiences faint in their seats. Instead, it was the filmmaking itself that caused this reaction, as the entire production was shot using handheld cameras to create a signature found-footage home-movie style. The shaky camera movements were so intense that some cinemas even posted signs warning moviegoers about potential motion sickness before purchasing tickets.

4. Irréversible (2002)

At the Cannes Film Festival, where chaos is often anticipated, it’s common to witness boos and exits. However, nothing could have prepared the audience for the premiere of Gaspar Noé’s film Irréversible, which included a graphic scene of violence involving Monica Bellucci. The movie was so intense that 250 people left before it ended, some even requiring medical attention from local firefighters who provided oxygen to those who had fainted. Many who walked out labeled the film as “sick” and “unnecessary,” but it still received a five-minute standing ovation from those who stayed until the end.

5. Saw III (2006)

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I must admit that it’s no shock to find “Saw III” on this list, given its infamous reputation for gruesome and bone-crunching traps. In fact, during its premiere in the UK, numerous spectators were reported to have fainted in the cinemas, with one individual even requiring an ambulance ride to the hospital on a bustling Friday night. A representative from the East of England Ambulance Service cautioned, “If you’re easily queasy, it might be best to steer clear.” So, among Jigsaw’s many heinous acts, adding a few hundred Brits to the list of those who’ve passed out in theaters seems like another notch on his sinister belt.

6. Antichrist (2009)

The film “Antichrist” created quite a stir prior to its release, and not always in a pleasant manner. For those who have seen it, it’s likely they can recall the scenes of graphic self-harm that caused viewers at TIFF to vomit, and at the subsequent New York Film Festival, a spectator’s reaction was initially mistaken for a seizure. The film was temporarily halted, police were summoned, and the man seemed unscathed. Moments later, the movie resumed, with Charlotte Gainsbourg carrying on her harrowing performance. Even when watched at home, “Antichrist” is a movie that’s sure to make one queasy. At a glitzy film festival premiere where tension runs high and everyone’s flushed and breathless? We’d probably pass out too.

7. 127 Hours (2010)

It might be shocking to learn that the film on this list with the most verified instances of audience physical reactions isn’t actually a horror movie. Despite the gruesome events depicted in “127 Hours,” it’s James Franco’s portrayal of Aron Ralston, a mountaineer who was forced to amputate his own arm after being trapped by a boulder, that has caused such reactions. If you’re curious about the film showing the entire procedure, the answer is affirmative. The numerous reports of audience members experiencing physical reactions during its festival tour led Movieline to publish a timeline of fainting incidents, which eventually included 16 instances of fainting, three seizures, one panic attack, and some unconfirmed cases of discreet vomiting. Remarkably, all these incidents occurred before the movie was officially released.

8. Prometheus (2012)

Without having watched “Prometheus” yourself, you might be familiar with the intense scene towards the end where Noomi Rapace is compelled to perform an emergency C-section using a spaceship’s medical device due to an alien embryo threatening her life. This sequence is known for causing some viewers to faint during its portrayal. A user from a fan forum shared their personal experience, describing how they lost consciousness and exhibited signs of shock such as hanging tongue and open eyes for nearly five minutes, waking up with tingling limbs and blurred vision. Fortunately, they didn’t have to run away from the newly-hatched alien after regaining consciousness.

9. Titane (2021)

During its debut at the Sydney Film Festival, the French body horror drama “Titane” left many Australian viewers feeling uneasy. The film’s disturbing scenes, which included a character disguising their face by smashing it against a bathroom sink and a graphic depiction of carnal relations, were too much for nearly 20 people. They either fainted in their seats or chose to leave before the end. One viewer who fainted recounted that a theater security guard had been particularly occupied that night. Other viewers reported feelings of nausea, hangover-like sensations, and the need to warn festivals about the need for trigger warnings before screenings of films with such extreme content as “Titane”.

10. Terrifier 3 (2024)

Similar to how the film Saw earned its place on this list, it’s no wonder a movie from the Terrifier series made the cut. This slasher franchise revolves around gruesome scenes of violence inflicted by a malevolent clown with poor dentistry, and following the initial film’s success, it became a test of resilience for viewers to endure its brutal suspense. The latest installment, Terrifier 3, once again targeted Australian audiences, causing two spectators to leave in distress, one even fainting while trying to flee the theater stairs, as reported by an onlooker. Additionally, there was a viewer in the UK who allegedly vomited during the movie, undoubtedly adding to the joy of Art the Clown’s grotesque antics.

2025-04-10 19:25