Sinners is a sensational, stylish and soulful fusion of genres. This is exactly the kind of ambition and originality we need more of from major studios. Ryan Coogler hasn’t just delivered one of the best films of the year, but arguably the best of his impressive career.
There are a lot of different elements here, working in harmony to achieve something wholly unique and memorable. It’s a viciously entertaining vampire flick, but there’s so much more to it, which is what makes it truly special. This is a thematically rich story that celebrates black culture as well as an examination of oppressive hardships and cultural assimilation. It’s also a beautiful tribute to the roots of blues music, in which the music itself becomes just as alive as any of the film’s characters. There’s a scene where music transcends time that’ll be talked about for years. You can’t ignore the ambition, and although on paper it may sound like a messy mashup of genres and ideas, the end result is undeniably successful.
I think the success also boils down to how much love went into developing these characters and bringing the 1930’s Mississippi Delta to life. We spend well over an hour just being immersed in this world before the vampires even really come into play. That time spent experiencing the lives of these characters gives audiences a real stake (no pun intended) in their stories. Of course, once the carnage unfolds and blood starts spilling, the tone darkens but the film doesn’t lose its infectiously entertaining personality. This cast is fantastic, led by Michael B Jordan’s outstanding dual performance. He brings a completely different aura to Smoke and Stack, really allowing them to feel like different people. Miles Canton dazzles in his debut film role, packing his performance with a ton of emotion. He’s also got one hell of a singing voice, providing silky smooth vocals on multiple occasions throughout.
Shot on film and designed to be watched in IMAX, the movie is a stunning theatrical experience. With stunning cinematography and gorgeous camera work, this is a visual feast. Whether it’s the intimate, grainy textures of a juke joint or a dirt road cutting through the middle of a seemingly endless cotton field, it draws you in, forcing you to feel every beat, every breath, every drop of sweat and blood. Coogler creatively utilizes different aspect ratios to emphasize key moments and even heighten emotional impact-fulness. Sometimes it’s a hard cut between full and wide screen, others it’s a slow expansion. Every one of these aspect shifts is extremely effective. The film’s heartbeat is its music, and that heartbeat is thunderous. Ludwig Goransson’s score is phenomenal - a moody, soulful blend of blues, gospel, and a few surprising modern elements.The soundtrack is a silky blend of classics and original tracks that not only sound incredible, but deepen the story. In Sinners, the music doesn’t just accompany the plot - it breathes life into it.
Ryan Coogler has crafted a sweeping, ambitious, culturally charged, and all around fun vampire movie that brilliantly utilizes music to levitate above a crowded genre. The real sin would be not catching Sinners on the big screen, so go show this original movie some love at a theatre near you.
4.5/5
Review by: Benjamin Garrett