After watching Ryan Coogler’s Sinners not once, but twice, I can confidently say that the movie is worth the watch. Starring the talented Michael B. Jordan as the Smoke and Stack twins, and musical prodigy Miles Caton as Sammie Moore, Sinners follows these characters on their journey to start over and let loose. What begins as a chance at freedom turns dark when unexpected visitors come knocking on the juke joint door.
Set in 1932—a time when African Americans were still subjected to forms of slavery like sharecropping, and white supremacy groups forced segregation—Sinners tackles historical truths through bewitching cinematic representation.
I knew the film was great after the first viewing, but going back and finding new details to obsess over was the icing on the perfectly crafted cake.
One thing I love about the movie viewing experience is the room for interpretation. Sure, every film has an underlying meaning, but dissecting a movie and uncovering different layers is part of the fun. There are so many details in Sinners that deserve appreciation. Here are a few of my favorite elements.
The Role of Religion
Throughout the movie, Sammie and other characters frequently discuss freedom.
When the antagonist, Remmick, has preacher boy Sammie in his grasp. Sammie, a boy who’s father is a pastor, begins to pray. When Remmick begins reciting the same prayer as Sammie, a switch seems to flip. In that moment, he’s forced to confront an unsettling realization.
This movie challenges religion fundamentally; when Sammie sees that Remmicks’ church mirrors his own, he begins to question whether Christianity is another tool of oppression. Considering the roots of Christianity in America, and how it was historically forced onto enslaved people by their oppressors, the desire to escape doesn’t seem so radical after all.
In the end, Sammie is faced with the decision to let go of something the world around him deems sinful. But instead of condemning it, he embraces it and chooses a path of freedom.
The Power of Music
The origin of blues music can be traced back to the 1860s. Primarily used as a form of self expression for freed African Americans, the music spoke for the lives of those people. Not the life of enslavement, but the life of freedom.
As Lamont Pearley Sr. notes in his 2018 article for the African American Intellectual History Society, “Contrary to what some people believe, the blues is not ‘slave music.’ Although it was cultivated by the descendants of slaves, the blues was the expression of freed African Americans.”
Racist attitudes during the 20th century fueled this idea that this style of music was demonic. White people sought out to demonize Black culture, often by condemning the environments in which this music was performed like jukes and bars, viewing them as evil compared to churches.
Coogler powerfully illustrates the impact blues held during this era. The twins, both played by Micheal B. Jordan, open a juke joint that becomes a gathering place where African Americans gather through blues music. One of the film’s most moving scenes features people singing and dancing together, joined by the spirits of their ancestors.
Music takes on multiple roles throughout the movie. It’s a symbol of unity, a form of resistance against oppression and a bridge between the living and the supernatural. Without giving too much away, just know that the roots of the blues run deep in this film’s soul.
Power to the Women
I’m a sucker for romance. The deep connections portrayed in this movie really made me emotional at times. Coogler structured the movie in a way that gave the audience a clear understanding of each character’s background and relationships, which added depth to the movie’s overall impact.
What really stood out to me in the relationship aspect of this movie was its focus on the women.
Mary, played by Hailee Steinfeld, is a powerful character who speaks her mind. Annie, portrayed by Wunmi Mosaku, is no nonsense and takes charge, never allowing anyone to compromise her beliefs.
These are just two examples, but the film is filled with women who embody strength and resilience. I appreciated this portrayal because it’s rare to see movies set in this time period that authentically highlight female power.
Every detail in Sinners was intentional. Ryan Coogler crafted a movie where horror meets history and provides truth to the Black experience. This movie pays homage to resilience and the confrontation that comes with it.
Hands down, my favorite movie of the year.
