SINNERS (2025)
Sinners. What a title. Before I begin my breakdown of the moving, I just want to come out and apologize. When I first saw the teaser trailer, I was like, “Oh, Michael B. Jordan does horror now.” It looked interesting, but I wasn’t convinced. Dare I say now that I have seen the film, I understand the beauty of both the film and the symbolism.
General Movie Rating and Thoughts:
“Sinners” was a beautifully shot film that offered both a perspective on racial hardships and community while also telling a story focused on the soul of one’s body. The film took me on a quest of finding out who was out for each out, who was there to protect their community, and who was selfish to take the lives of others. The intersection of action, horror, and drama that the film had made it interesting and progressing without making it feel too slow in each plot development area. The ending was beautiful and poetic in the nature of how the fates of everyone else had landed. I thought this movie was great, and I liked the soul of it.
Acting:
Michael B. Jordan was tasked with both his introduction to horror films as well as playing two characters that commonly interact with one another. Jordan’s flexibility in his acting showcases through his portrayal of similar, yet opposing attitudes of Smoke and Stack. I will say there were times where I could tell that they shot the scene in multiple takes with Jordan switching characters as certain parts seemed a little delayed or forced in his interactions. However, that is putting him down in anyway. I loved being able to read the emotions on Jordan’s face through each scene as either brother. I hope that Jordan’s introduction to horror film will continue him in a path of exploration to different genres of films as I’d love to continue to see how he portrays such vigor while also being graceful in each role.
Miles Caton’s performance is outstanding, especially knowing it is his introduction to the big screen. I don’t have much more to say than that. Caton has a beautiful voice and captured the soul of Sammy. His glances of innocence, curiosity, and nativity build into the simpleness of life that Sammy yearns for through his music. Caton’s ability to express a soulful young man while also acting in scenes with the experienced supporting cast show a promising future for his future films.
Directing/Cinematography
The variety of camera angles and shots was key in this film. Not only did it add more suspense and character to each shot, but it allowed different emotions to be drawn out depending on the shot. Some shoutouts for certain key shots was the camera follow of Lisa into the store and the follow back of Grace; the wide lens long shot of the vampires outside at night into the short shot, spin camera for when they were dancing; and the follow shot on Smoke at the end of the film. I think the direction that Ryan Coogler took with this story, and the specific shots that he asked for helped emphasize the fear and soul of each scene. Autumn Durald did wonderful in her ability to capture the direction Coogler wanted to take in her cinematography.
Overall story:
Music is one of the windows to the soul. It’s representative of a person’s being, mind, spirit, and what they feel. Music is used in worship, daily lives, and times of expression. However, music can also be a bridge to temptation. People of strong beliefs once thought, and sometimes still think, that music introduces the sinfulness of dance, sex, drinking, and illegal activities. “Sinners” does a fantastic job of showcases this battle in its storyline and its own battle within the story.
The fight between not only good and evil for people and vampires, but the fight of goodness versus giving into temptation is another ongoing character internal conflict of Smoke. Sammy represents the overall goodness, the innocent, the preacher’s boy, wanting to step into the world of Smoke and Stack, but not being welcomed because he doesn’t possess the character flaws that the others have.
Shot variety 8/10
Lighting 6.5/10
Acting 8/10
Cinematography 8/10
Directing 7/10
Sound 7/10
Overall effect and production: 7.5/10
Rating 7/10