- Release year: 2025
- Director: Ryan Coogler.
- Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, and Sev Ohanian.
- Screenplay by: Ryan Coogler.
- Cinematography by: Autumn Durald Arkapaw.
- Music by: Ludwig Göransson.
Synopsis: a 1930s American pub built by and for black people gets sieged by vampires.
Shotgun Commentary: seductive and overall mindful about clichés.
Review
Sinners is, so far, THE vampire movie of the year. It is truly sinful that a huge fan of vampire films and Jack O’Connell such as yours truly has taken so incredibly long to drag herself to the cinema to watch this. Thankfully, it’s so good that it was still on. If you happen to love vampires, Southern gothic aesthetics, or alluring narratives in general, do run to the cinema before it’s gone. You won’t regret it.
Context
The story follows blues musician Sammie Moore (Miles Caton). He is a preacher’s son who loves to play and sing blues despite his father’s opposition to it. His twin cousins, Smoke and Stack (both played by Michael B. Jordan), completely disagree with his father’s position. Before leaving to become gangsters in Chicago, they give him a guitar. An instrument that he plays all the time until he becomes a great artist. Because of this, when the twins return to set up a club for black people to party after work, they pick him up to play on opening night.
The whole set up is pretty bucolic if you ignore the dead infant, the Klan references, and the alcoholism. That is, until Remmick (Jack O’Connell) comes around, a vampire who seems to be attracted by music and… white supremacists? Whatever the reason, he starts turning people into vampires. After the couple of supremacists, he is attracted by the sound of Sammie’s music, which brings a whole world of trouble to the twins and everyone else in the joint.
An evil scheme…?
Without getting into much detail, we need to acknowledge one thing: Remmick’s plan… isn’t exactly evil. Nonsensical and unsustainable? Sure, but not really evil per se. You see, Remmick doesn’t so much kill humans as he turns them into vampires. Forget about all the random blood play that separates turning from eating in films like the Twilight saga or Priest (2011).
In this film, if they bite, they bite to kill, and if after you die, you come back as a vampire. But wait, there’s more. Remmick’s plan is creating a community based on the values of…peace and love? Essentially, a utopia in which everyone is happy, nobody dies, and there is only love, no hate.
Obviously, if you’ve watched Daybreakers (2009), you know that is not a sustainable plan at all. Still, if we ignore the fact that he is probably lying, it is quite a wholesome plan for a man-eating creature. Add one of the best uses of “Rocky Road to Dublin” on a film since Sherlock Holmes (2009), and a few too many ridiculous decisions on the good side, and overall it is hard not to root for the bad guys.
Additionally, this feature is bringing a personal favourite back: garlic. Or maybe it’s vinegar? The end result is unclear, as most of the characters who eat garlic end up getting devoured regardless but a jar of picked garlics does seem to do the trick against these creatures of the night.
Intimacy in 2025
The biggest highlight, followed closely by the aesthetics, is the use of sex as an atmosphere. The whole film is incredibly sexually charged, as one expects from any vampire film, but this movie separates itself from the usual narrative in the best way possible. It doesn’t merely get away from the usual vampire narrative of men controlling virtuous women with his powers like Dracula or women devouring men like Jennifer’s Body (2009), it also gets away from the traditional male gaze through which these practices are reflected in this art form.
Joining depressingly few cases, this superb feature portrays sexual practices as something enjoyable for both participants. Nobody needs to be objectified, men talk about sex without any shame, including one particular subject that has been considered taboo for centuries: men giving oral sex to women.
The light at the end of the tunnel
In a world where there is a manosphere dedicated to make men feel “less manly” for wanting their partners to also feel good during sex, films like this one are like rain on a desert, scarce but crucial. It is such a small detail that brings you so much hope as a spectator, and even more so knowing that this film is written and directed by a man. Somebody slow clap Ryan Coogler please. He hit the spot with the Dora Milaje (Black Panther, 2018), and he’s done it again in this one.
All in all, Sinners is a fantastic film no matter how you look at it. Want to take it seriously? It works. Want to watch it in the most chill way and have a couple of laughs? It also works. Just looking for something pretty to watch? This is it! In fact, the wardrobe and general production design of this film are so gorgeous and flawless that they would need their own article to do them justice. Suffice to say, this film is one of the most enthralling trips you can take to the cinema this year.
Advice to take from this movie:
- There is nothing wrong with talking about sex.
- If garlic doesn’t work against your vampire, try vinegar.
- If you are unsure about your ending, just get the protagonist to take out the trash. It always works, especially if it’s through a bloodbath.
What’s your take? Have you watched Sinners? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message in my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀