Ryan Coogler, the director of Creed, Fruitvale Station and the Black Panther films, makes his horror debut with Sinners starring Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, and Miles Caton. Set in the Deep South of the United States, the film follows twin brothers Smoke and Stack, alongside their cousin Sammy, as they establish a juke joint for the local community.
But what starts as a night of dancing and good vibes quickly turns into a nightmare when their music attracts something not quite human. Let’s just say the crowd isn’t the only thing that shows up hungry.
In this High Five review, we’re taking a trip down South to find out: What happens when the devil comes looking for a dance? Spoilers ahead.
The Horrors of the Past
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
A horror film is only as terrifying as the world it builds around you. A slow burn isn’t exactly unique in the horror genre, after all, you need to be patient and build-up suspense so the fright isn’t just a one-off scream but an experience that keeps you screaming for more.
Sinners take a similar but less-subtle approach. The setting the movie establishes doesn’t make you shiver from fright, it gives viewers a chill in the spine because they’re seeing something deeper than just a scare. This isn’t just a haunted house or cursed woods—it’s the ghost of the American South, a past too many try to forget.
With the movie taking place in 1932 at the Mississippi Delta, Coogler doesn’t hold back in visualizing the horrors of this era—passing mentions of the Ku Klux Klan, cotton fields being worked by black families, stories of extrajudicial lynchings—it’s a setting that leaves you deeply unsettled not just by the looming supernatural forces, but because this very real history is just as terrifying, maybe even more so.
A Devilish Performance
Michael B. Jordan plays as twin brothers, Smoke and Stack | Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Appearing in his fifth film for the acclaimed director, Michael B. Jordan takes center stage in a dual role portraying twins Smoke and Stack. Jordan does an amazing job of characterizing the twin brothers. As Smoke, Jordan is reserved, ruthless, and embodies more of that Denzel Washington-like archetype, while Stack is a charming and cavalier smooth-talking ladies’ man that Jordan plays effortlessly.
Jordan’s performance as the twins was also the perfect complement for a less heralded name to shine. Miles Caton delivered a standout performance as Sammie, the blues-singing cousin of Smoke and Stack, in a film already rich with remarkable acting. Sinners is steeped in symbolism, with Sammie acting as the living and breathing spirit of the blues itself. As perhaps the most important character in the film, Caton brings a raw and emotionally nuanced portrayal of a young man searching for his place in the world. His background as a black gospel and blues singer lends an added layer of authenticity to the role, which only enhances the film’s atmosphere. The contrast of his character’s naivety and the enigmatic swagger of the twins resulted in a compelling and memorable dynamic between the cousins, making their relationship one of the film’s emotional anchors.
Another standout performance in the film was Wunmi Mosaku’s portrayal of Annie, an occultist from Louisiana and Smoke’s wife, who served as the emotional anchor for Smoke’s personal arc, grounding his character with depth and vulnerability while also being pivotal in their fight against the film’s supernatural threat. Hailee Steinfeld also delivered a strong performance as Mary, Stack’s bi-racial ex-girlfriend, bringing depth to Stack’s character while also contributing to the film’s exploration of racial tensions. Delroy Lindo as Delta Slim deserves a shout as well with his performance as the weathered “oldhead” and the comedic relief of the movie. And lastly, Jack O’ Connell’s performance as the film’s antagonist really brought the tension to another level, with a chilling and charismatic portrayal allowing for moments of complexity that made his character menacing and intriguing.
The Real Main Character
For a movie that takes on a supernatural threat, the main character isn’t a person but a soulful staple of black American culture—the blues.
The blues was the gateway that led to the rise of other black art forms such as jazz, RnB, hip-hop and rock and roll. But despite their rise in popularity, the blues—and other forms of black music— have often been viewed critically, with some critics going so far as to associate these types of music with the devil. This kind of criticism overlooks a crucial truth: the legacy of slavery which led to the erasure and suppression of black America’s cultural identities. For many black Americans, the blues is their way to reclaim their heritage and a way to link the past with the future.
This is why the blues, and other forms of black music, have always had a spiritual and intrinsic element. For black Americans, music is their metaphorical shelter that gives so many marginalized people a platform where they can be free and feel that they actually belong. But as shown in the film, that same spirit of inclusion and expression can also attract those who seek to exploit or corrupt it.
Coogler leans heavily into the racial tensions of the era and the blues’ spiritual nature to shape the film’s core themes, while also adding another layer by creating a culturally resonant horror film—one that speaks directly to those who understand the importance of black music and hammers down why it’s crucial to never let go of the guitar.
The Perfect Villain
Jack O’Connell as Irish vampire, Remmick | Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
The supernatural threat in the movie takes the form of an Irish vampire named Remmick, the last surviving vampire from a group that was hunted down by indigenous Choctaw vampire hunters. On the surface, he’s a charming fellow with a knack for saying all the things you want to hear, but behind his smile is the nefarious intent to drink your blood and spread his wicked curse to the unlucky souls that cross his path.
At first glance, it might be easy to interpret the film’s central conflict as a straightforward “black people vs. racist vampires” narrative—but there’s much more happening beneath the surface.
For one, Remmick isn’t just white; he’s an Irish immigrant. Like black Americans, the Irish have their own history of oppression and resistance. That background adds complexity to his character. Whether or not he’s sincere when speaking about the supposed freedom of being a vampire is open to interpretation, but what makes him such a compelling antagonist is precisely this shared experience of marginalization. This particular devil understands what it means to suffer under systemic power, which is why he is able to tempt Sammy and the others with unsettling precision.
Music also plays a significant role in characterizing Remmick. The first song he performs, alongside his openly racist minions, is “Pick Poor Robin Clean,” a blues tune originally recorded in 1927 by Luke Jordan, a black musician from Virginia. What makes the scene particularly unsettling is the image of three white individuals—two of whom were former members of the Ku Klux Klan—singing a song rooted in black cultural expression. This moment not only highlights their appropriation of black art but also underscores the sinister way Remmick uses music as a tool to manipulate the characters.
Later, when the vampires’ true intentions are exposed, Remmick goes mask off and performs an Irish song “Rocky Road to Dublin.” He forces his predominantly black minions to dance along—not just to mock Sammy, but to serve as a symbolic dance-off: a confrontation between two cultures, each rooted in histories of struggle, identity, and resistance.
That’s why Remmick is the perfect villain for this movie. He isn’t a monster behind a disguise, he’s a twisted reflection of the characters, using their shared experiences of oppression to manipulate and undermine them.
A Good Ole’ American Showdown
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Studios
One of the film’s central themes is resistance—resistance against white oppression through the creation of a space for black identity; resistance against the rigid pursuit of profit in favor of freedom and joy; and most importantly, resistance against the notion that the music you’re playing is not for the people, but for the devil. And there’s no better way to show this resistance than a good ole’ fashion shootout.
The climactic gunfight against the vampires, followed by the ambush on members of the Klan, feels reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino’s signature style: chaotic, stylish, and tension-filled. Characters fall one by one until only one remains. While it may not reach Tarantino-level bloodshed, the intensity is still there.
That said, the action sequences are arguably the weakest part of an otherwise amazing film. The fight choreography is clunky, with some character decisions feeling forced or illogical. And despite the expected triumph over evil, the climax of the action is underwhelming. Visually, the scenes are still striking, but if you’re watching this for the action, this film might not satisfy that craving.
While the action scenes may not have been the film’s strongest element, Coogler absolutely delivers in the final moments. Smoke’s ending is one of the most poignant scenes in the film—a man who finds justice through revenge is finally able to pass on in peace, reunited with the people he loves. But for me, the most powerful moment comes in the epilogue of Sammy’s story, set sixty years after the events of the film. Showing that the struggle never truly ends, but neither does the culture, the music, or the resistance. In the end, the devil and the blues live on—a haunting yet hopeful reminder that while darkness persists, so too does the enduring power of black identity and the spirit of creativity.
Sinners is a historical horror film that uses myth and music to explore the deep entanglement between race, art, and power during this period. By confronting both literal and symbolic demons, it reclaims the blues as a symbol of survival and defiance.
SEA Wave gives Sinners 8.5 waves out of 10.
What was your impression of Ryan Coogler’s foray into horror? Let us know in the comments below.