Hailee Steinfeld Was the Best Part of Sinners

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Besides being a singer and songwriter, Hailee Steinfeld is a talented actress. She began her acting career at a young age and earned an Academy Award nomination at just 14 years old. She first gained recognition for her role in the 2011 film *True Grit*, alongside Matt Damon and Jeff Bridges, proving she was a force to be reckoned with even then. The film was based on the novel of the same name published in 1968.

Since then, Hailee Steinfeld has worked in both live-action and animated projects, receiving praise for her roles in *Into the Spider-Verse* and *Arcane*. She also boosted her visibility by appearing with Michael B. Jordan in Ryan Coogler’s first original movie. Her horror film, *Sinners*, which came out in April, was a hit with audiences, especially around Halloween, and fans still love to quote her memorable lines. While the entire cast of *Sinners* delivered strong performances, Steinfeld, known for *The Edge of Seventeen*, particularly stood out with her emotional and captivating portrayal.

Sinners Is More Than Just a Vampire Film

I was so excited when Ryan Coogler finally got to create his own story, something completely original! And he really delivered. Working with Michael B. Jordan again, they made something truly special. What really blew me away was Michael B. Jordan playing *two* characters – it was a huge part of what drew me to see the film, and he absolutely nailed it.

Michael B. Jordan, known for his role in *Creed*, played identical twins named Smoke and Stack in a story set in Mississippi during Prohibition. The brothers, impressed by Al Capone’s success, moved back home from Chicago to start their own business. They gathered friends and family to build a new nightclub, and began to believe their struggles were finally coming to an end.

The joyful atmosphere quickly turned to horror as night fell. A group of strangers arrived, revealing themselves to be vampires. Their leader, Remmick, had been drawn by the music and intended to turn the twins and their friends into vampires, hoping to connect with his long-lost ancestors through them.

The storyline of *Sinners* set it apart from most other vampire movies. While it had some things in common with others, *Sinners* transformed the typical horror elements into a captivating story rich with mythology and spiritual themes. A key idea in the film revolved around the power of music, embodied by the twins’ cousin, Sammie.

Sammie, raised by a preacher, dreamed of a life as a musician, despite his father’s disapproval. He held onto his guitar, creating music with a deep, timeless quality – connecting the past, present, and future. This was precisely what initially drew Remmick to Sammie’s work, as he yearned to experience that same connection to his own community.

The film’s story included Smoke’s wife, Annie, who practiced Hoodoo, a tradition deeply rooted in the local culture. *Sinners* offered a fresh take on vampire movies by showing events through the eyes of often-overlooked characters. It was as much a celebration of music as it was a horror story about outsiders trying to force their way into a close-knit community. Hailee Steinfeld’s portrayal of Mary was crucial to the film’s success, as her character became its emotional center.

Hailee Steinfeld Stole the Show as Mary

Michael B. Jordan is a fantastic choice for Ryan Coogler’s films, and rightfully so. He’s received high praise for roles in movies like *Fruitvale Station* and *Creed*. While he skillfully played both of the Smokestack twins, the story truly came alive because of the character of Mary – her impulsiveness and strong will were essential.

Mary was a woman who always felt like an outsider. Growing up in the segregated South, she had to be cautious due to her family history. While society saw her as white, her grandfather was partially Black, which created a precarious situation. Even a small amount of evidence of her Black ancestry could lead to the racism prevalent at the time, thanks to laws like the ‘drop in the bucket’ rule.

The situation became even more complicated when she fell in love with Stack, a Black man who was close to her family. Mary had grown up navigating different social circles, benefiting from her family’s respected position. Her mother was well-loved within the community, and that respect extended to Mary as well.

Despite his love for her, Stack encouraged Mary to marry a white man, believing it would offer her a more secure future. Mary, however, was devoted to Stack and made it clear he was the only one she wanted. In the 1930s, a woman who was determined to follow her own path often faced criticism, but Mary’s precarious social position didn’t deter her.

Mary was a woman who knew her own mind, and she didn’t hesitate to make that known when she came back to town after her mother’s funeral. She actively sought out Stack, despite his reluctance, and even went to the local juke joint on the night everything changed. Though she was the only white person in the club, the community readily accepted her. This gave her the freedom to speak her mind, and she made it clear that she and Stack had shared a meaningful sexual relationship.

Steinfeld’s performance in the film was particularly memorable, not only for its commentary on race, but also because it showcased a side of the actress audiences hadn’t seen before. Right from the start, in one of her initial scenes, she firmly establishes her intentions to Stack, despite his attempts to get her to leave. This bold introduction immediately captivated viewers. Steinfeld later shared that many fans repeatedly quoted her line back to her, which made those encounters somewhat awkward. When she was filming *Sinners*, she hadn’t anticipated this kind of reaction at all.

In a recent podcast interview, Steinfeld expressed surprise at how popular certain lines from her performance became. She said you can never predict what will resonate with audiences, and it’s fascinating to see which moments people focus on and share.

Mary was captivating in those scenes, making her eventual fate even more tragic. Throughout the night at the club, she won over Stack, who confessed his love – explaining why he’d been trying to distance himself. Mary responded by telling him she only wanted him, and they reached a peaceful understanding just before everything went wrong.

Sinners Was Always a Love Story

From start to finish, *Sinners* excelled in every aspect of filmmaking – from its compelling characters and rich backstory to its overall execution. Though few characters made it through the film’s events, this heightened the story’s impact. At its heart, *Sinners* was a tale of a vampire plague, but it was ultimately driven by love – both romantic love and the strong bond between brothers.

Despite a lot of death throughout the movie, the end credits show a few small wins. The trouble began when Remmick arrived and appeared determined to turn everyone at the club into vampires. Sadly, Mary was the first victim; she courageously went out, but was turned and immediately spread the vampirism to her beloved, Stack.

It initially appeared that the Mary Stack once knew was completely lost, but a part of her remained. She loved Stack deeply, and that’s why she wanted him to be the first one she turned into a vampire – so they could stay together forever. However, this happiness was threatened by Smoke, who vowed to destroy all demons.

He tried to kill his brother, but couldn’t bring himself to do it. Instead, after he and Sammie killed Remmick, he trapped Mary and Stack inside. This protected them from the sun and allowed them to continue their immortal lives. While Smoke, Annie, and Delta Slim perished, Mary and Stack finally had the opportunity they’d been waiting for.

Mary and Stack lived in a world where their love wasn’t accepted due to the racism of the Jim Crow era. Becoming immortal vampires offered them a way to outlive those difficult times and witness a future with more tolerance. While society wasn’t perfect, their vampirism allowed them to travel freely without fear. In the story, being a vampire is generally seen as a hardship, but Mary and Stack are the only characters who ultimately find happiness.

Honestly, watching Mary and Stack’s story felt like a real turning point. Yes, they embraced becoming these fierce, monstrous versions of themselves, but it ultimately *earned* them a satisfying conclusion. I always saw Mary as a woman ahead of her time, and it was beautiful to see the world finally catch up to *her*. Steinfeld’s had a fantastic career, but her dedication to Mary truly elevated ‘Sinners’ and made it something special. It wasn’t just a role she played; she *became* Mary, and that’s what made all the difference.

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2025-10-18 01:21