Sinners – REVIEW

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Michael B Jordan and director Ryan Coogler team up once more, this time exploring the supernatural realm with their horror film titled “Sinners.” However, it initially presents as a mystery drama, introducing us to Sammie (Miles Caton), a young musician who stumbles into his father’s church, holding a shattered guitar and a severely marked face. Unlike a typical London street incident where a busker might be attacked by an angry office worker due to one too many performances of ‘Streets of London,’ Sammie’s story takes a different turn.

The narrative actually jumps back a day or two, as we witness the return of Smoke and Stack, twin brothers portrayed by Michael B Jordan, who have come from Chicago in 1932. They had been earning money for Al Capone and were planning to open their own music venue, gathering friends and family, including Sammie, as one of the musical talents to attract a crowd.

After purchasing a local establishment from a biased individual who claims the Klan no longer exists, the venue thrives but encounters initial hiccups on its opening night. One of the twin’s former lovers, Mary (Hailee Steinfield), unexpectedly shows up and manages to gain entry despite controversy over her ethnicity allowing her to mingle with the predominantly black audience. However, the evening takes a turn for the worse when Remmick (Jack O’Connell), a country singer known for his Irish tunes and limited repertoire of songs like Wild Rover and Gypsy Rover, appears to extend his playlist by blending these into a single number, ‘Wild Gypsy Up Your Rover’. As the night unfolds, what was initially a dramatic scene transforms into a horror movie as the twins and others find themselves in a life-threatening situation.

Yes, “Sinners” can be seen as a more art-focused adaptation of “From Dusk til Dawn,” minus Tarantino’s distinctive dialogue, and carries a much heavier, somber tone. The film explores themes such as racism, spirituality, suppression, immortality, sexuality, West African ancestry, among others. Characters in the movie are noticeably ready for action when it comes to matters of the flesh. Despite its apparent similarities to “Dusk til Dawn,” “Sinners” stands on its own with Coogler’s confident direction and management of scenes like the opening night, a mesmerizing blend of music, dance, and modern influences that sets the stage for the impending chaos. Michael B. Jordan delivers an outstanding performance as the twins, and the supporting cast is strong, with Jack O’Connell portraying a chilling presence and Delroy Lindo impressing as a troubled musician. Some horror enthusiasts might find it frustrating that the violence doesn’t start until an hour into the film, but when it does, it’s intense and often graphic.

In other words, when violence erupts, the social commentary becomes secondary; however, this film represents a bold step away from the actor and director’s past work, offering a grand allegory that is visually stunning on IMAX screens.

Here’s the Sinners trailer…….

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2025-04-16 15:23