Genre films can be a difficult thing to get right. They can follow the rules of previous movies and come across as unoriginal. Others try to move away from the rules, and they end up falling flat on their face. Thank goodness, then, for Ryan Coogler. The director, whose back catalogue is looking more impressive by the day, has managed to produce a heart-stopping drama like Fruitville Station, turn out one of the best Marvel movies in Black Panther, and reinvent Rocky with Creed. Now he turns his attention to the horror genre, particularly the vampire movie, and has managed to mix genres, adding an outstanding blues soundtrack, and has given us one of the best films of the year so far.

During the Prohibition era, twin brothers Smoke and Stack return to their hometown after having a troubled time in Chicago. Determined to change their ways, they decide to buy a barn and set up a nightclub for the local community to enjoy blues. While they fear attack from the local Ku Klux Klan, what they don’t expect is to become the target of an evil that could kill them.

Coogler is a visual filmmaker who manages to take you on a visceral journey with the piece’s look. Capturing the period of life in the deep South, the director uses light, darkness and a confident use of camerawork to tell this slow-burning, character-driven tale, which helps build the tension of the story and allows us to follow the key players as they head towards a finale that is both shocking, horrific and full of surprises.

The mood and tone of the film are helped by the superb use of music. Blues can often be used as just a sidebar to a movie, but here it’s as important a player as the characters involved. It becomes the focal point of the film, from the characters using the music to move them, making their characters more in-depth, and even heightening the horror that occurs in the third act.

By not rushing the horror, we are allowed time to understand the characters. The brothers Smoke and Stack, while identical, have very different personalities and approaches to life. Having been part of the darker side of life, coming back to fulfil their dream of running their own club, you can see these brothers are flawed, but are willing to be better. Other characters, including the young Sammie, a blues playing guitarist whose father is a local preacher, has the soul of the blues in his heart, while he has to deal with seasoned player Delta Slim, a man who has seen and done it all.

Coogler really loves these characters and wants us to love them too, so when the final act arrives, we can feel for these people who are being attacked. That final sequence in the barn is breathtaking in both its visuals and the tension being built. It’s a masterclass of filmmaking.

Coogler has put together a strong cast, led by frequent collaborator Michael B. Jordan, taking on the dual roles of Smoke and Stack, both completely different, proving once again what a talent Jordan is. Newcomer Miles Caton is also very impressive as Sammie, while Jack O’Connell also impresses as Remmick, a Southern man who holds a deep, dark secret.

Sinners is an outstanding movie that keeps you hooked from its opening sequence to the final post-credit scene, featuring the legendary blues player Buddy Guy. It’s a film that will stay in your mind long after you’ve left the cinema, and one that you’ll want to rewatch to take in the beauty, wonder, and true horror of the tale, as well as the fantastic music.

5 out of 5

Director: Ryan Coogler

Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Miles Caton, Hailee Steinfeld, Delroy Lindo, Omar Miller, Wunmi Mosaku, Jack O’Connell, Li Jun Li, Yao

Written by: Ryan Coogler

Running Time: 137 mins

Cert: 15

Release date: 18th April 2025