Title – Sinners (2025)

Director – Ryan Coogler (Creed)

Cast – Michael B. Jordan, Miles Caton, Hailee Steinfeld, Delroy Lindo, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku

Plot – Returning to their small community in Mississippi in the early 1930’s to open up a juke joint, twin brothers Smoke and Stack (Jordan) discover there’s an evil in their hometown they could never have foreseen, setting in motion a life and death game of cat and mouse for them and their close acquittances.  

“You keep dancing with the devil… one day he’s gonna follow you home”

Review by Eddie on 7/05/2025

Arriving at a time and place in the history of cinema where the wishes for original content to succeed are at an all-time high, Ryan Coogler’s passion project Sinners is a brilliantly energetic reminder of the power of unique visions and big swings that has magically managed to become a critical, audience and box office hit that feels like the lighting of a match for the big screen experience the industry desperately needed.

A multi-layered piece of genuine cinematic spectacle and entertainment that just so happens to pertain many metaphorical, philosophical and politically tinged undertones and conversation starters, Sinners is a lot of things all at once and it’s hard to agree that every minor or major element comes off as perfectly balanced or nuanced as the other but there’s absolutely no denying that Sinners is a breath of fresh air in a marketplace that has grown stale over recent years and the film is arguably Coogler’s most important work yet as a director with a piece that should be regarded as his flawed but wonderfully entertaining masterwork.

Taking it’s time to get going as it lays its groundwork in a non-rushed manner and hard to talk about without going deep into spoiler territory, Sinners is a film that’s best left to be explored by viewers with as little foresight into proceedings as possible, knowing only that Coogler’s grand vision is a big-screen must, an audacious piece of cinema that takes inspiration from Metallica, From Dusk till Dawn, ancient folklore, musical history and Coogler’s own very personal life, creating a melting-pot of ideas and aspects that can be enjoyed and appreciated in their own individual ways.

Some overarching sentiments and takeaways from Sinners is that Coogler and his creative team, that includes awards worthy collaborations with composer Ludwig Göransson and cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw deliver knockout blows and it’s hard to think of film in 2025 getting much better than witnessing a rousing rendition of Irish staple Rocky Road to Dublin or a stunning feat of filmmaking wizardry that takes us across a span of musical elements all in disguise of a one take continuous shot, these elements helping work wonders with a fired up cast all performing at the top of their game.

Built around a fantastic double bill performance from Coogler’s long-term feature film partner Michael B. Jordan as gangster twins Smoke and Stack, Sinners loaded ensemble are on fire here with the debut turn from renowned musician Miles Caton as the young and impressionable Sammi Moore, Jack O’Connell as the mysterious Rennick and Wunmi Mosaku as the wise Annie all standing out, while industry veteran Delroy Lindo is as good as his ever been and an early frontrunner for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar recipient as long-time Jazz musician Delta Slim.

Put simply, Sinners is a joyously inventive and creative piece of art that has managed to become that rare all-round piece that manages to infiltrate the mainstream zeitgeist while also maintaining its creative integrity and beating heart.

It has some narrative shortcomings and story beats that don’t hold up to a deep dive of scrutiny but they’re minor inconveniences and misses when weighed up around a film that has become one of the modern eras greatest success stories and a stern and timely reminder that original cinema is far from dead if audiences are treated with the respect they deserve.

Final Say –

A triumphant feat of originality and vision from Ryan Coogler that is gifted life by a collection of noteworthy performances and behind the scenes talent, Sinners is a film with some deep and thought-provoking elements while also having a whole lot of fun with its over the top ingredients, giving audiences as much of a reason to get to the big screen as there’s going to be in 2025.

4 cloves of garlic out of 5