I Think Sinners Deserves a Franchise (Just Not a Sequel)

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The movie “Sinners” has been skyrocketing in popularity lately due to its availability for home streaming on HBO Max. With the buzz about Ryan Coogler’s unique blend of culture, music, and supernatural horror growing once again, fans are eagerly awaiting news of a potential sequel. However, based on Coogler’s initial statements, “Sinners” was intended as a standalone film that served partly as a break from his commitments to Marvel Studios on the “Black Panther” movies. Still, the creative energy in “Sinners” is undeniable. Though I don’t see a direct sequel being the most logical choice for a follow-up, I believe that exploring a larger franchise universe could be a promising avenue, provided it’s executed skillfully.

Sinners Already Has Many More Stories to Tell

In “Sinners,” various characters’ lives and journeys intertwine dramatically on a pivotal, fateful night. Yet, director Ryan Coogler skillfully crafts each character with nuanced depth, leaving it up to the viewers to piece together the backstories or deduce entire histories hinted by dialogue and acting. As a result, “Sinners” offers multiple character transformations converging, thus inviting an opportunity to delve deeper into the past and comprehend how certain characters reached their destinies.

The initial (and apparently profitable) concept revolves around a prequel to “Sinners,” focusing on the Smoke Stack Twins, brilliantly brought to life by Michael B. Jordan. Ryan Coogler skillfully crafted distinct personalities for both twins while weaving in intriguing backstories. This solid starting point takes us seven years back to when Smoke and Stack departed from Mississippi, detailing their harrowing tribulations during WWI, their transformation into criminals, and the power struggle they instigated by playing off the Irish and Italian mobs. Reminiscent of the black-led crime dramas last seen on the silver screen in “American Gangster,” this project seems tailor-made for Coogler’s next challenge. Notably, the prequel’s initial act opens up opportunities for numerous cameos from “Sinners” characters, such as pivotal moments between Mary (Hailee Steinfeld) and Annie (Wunmi Mosaku), farewells to old friends like the Chows (Yao and Li Jun Li) and Cornbread (Omar Miller), and even introductions to characters mentioned only in the film, like Mary’s mother. To be honest, a Smoke Stack Twins prequel appears to be an obvious choice – and Jordan is prepared for it.

Without a doubt, Michael B. Jordan wasn’t the sole exceptional actor in the movie “Sinners.” Jack O’Connell deserves recognition for transforming a typical vampire villain role into an engaging and terrifying character like Remmick. Much like the Twins, Remmick subtly hinted at a rich and intricate history through his dialogues – potentially tracing back to the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland in the 12th century. The vampire-horror genre has seen some repetition; however, “Sinners” managed to reimagine vampirism as a fresh form of social commentary (cultural assimilation and theft). This theme could be equally impactful in a prequel story about Remmick’s transformation into a vampire, his relentless pursuit of “fellowship” once more, after losing his cultural identity. The diverse cultures, traditions, and music that Remmick encountered throughout his journey would make for a captivating cinematic saga – or even an extended narrative format, such as a streaming miniseries.

A potential spinoff idea for a streaming series could focus on the Choctaw Nation, who were hunting the vampire known as Remmick. Unlike the protagonists of Sinners, these hunters exhibit an intense and self-assured pursuit of the vampire, captivating audiences with their actions. Notably, they retreat to their (presumably safe) lands before sunset, adding intrigue to their approach. This Choctaw Nation’s history with vampires, leading up to their confrontation with Remmick and his subsequent flight, offers an opportunity for Sinners to highlight a distinct American culture that has faced systemic oppression.

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2025-07-10 19:14