Movie Review: Michael B Jordan delivers compelling dual performance in horror thriller ‘Sinners’

In his latest genre-bending film, Sinners, Ryan Coogler puts a fresh spin on vampire horror by taking audiences deep into the Jim Crow South to confront a different kind of evil—one that goes beyond fangs and bloodshed.

Set in Clarksdale, Mississippi, Coogler introduces the infamous Smoke Stack twins (Michael B Jordan) who return from Chicago with a reputation working for the notorious crime boss Al Capone.

The two brothers recruit their cousin Sammie (Miles Caton), along with a few hometown friends, to use their newfound wealth to open a Black-owned juke joint. Promising a good time and an endless flow of cold Irish beer, people arrive on opening night to dance the night away to the blues. 

Their plan takes a dark turn when a sinister group of vampires led by Remmick (Jack O’Connell) arrive at their doorstep, forcing them to fight undead monsters and survive till sunrise.

Among Coogler’s acclaimed works like Black Panther and Creed, Sinners stands out as a standalone film for its powerful visual storytelling, blend of different genres and portrayal of the Black American experience. 

Featuring a predominantly Black cast, the movie emphasizes the importance of on-screen representation to tell Black American stories. While Sinners captures a fictional evil roaming the night with a thirst for blood, it also presents a real one deeply rooted in American history, draped in white robes — the Ku Klux Klan.

Throughout the film, there is a balance between the blood and gore while also addressing shared experiences of racial violence and the evolution of Black music. 

Making his acting debut as Sammie, 22-year-old Caton gave a soulful blues performance, mesmerizing audiences with his deep, sultry voice and delicate banjo strums. His gift served as a central theme of the film, highlighting the profound roots of music in Black culture by weaving in cameos of other Black artists across history, from ancient African drum players to modern-day DJs spinning records. 

Jordan’s performance as both Smoke and Stack was truly unforgettable. Though portrayed by the same actor, their distinct personalities and unbreakable bond as brothers came through clearly on-screen. It was remarkable to witness his range in playing both the hero and the villain in his own story. 

As for O’Connell and his horde of vampires, the well-executed jump scares and impressive CGI made them feel all the more realistic and terrifying. Their fixation on turning the remaining survivors into vampires subtly echoed themes of colonialism, symbolizing the forced assimilation into a culture that isn’t their own.

Since its release on April 18, Sinners has achieved one of the highest combined critic and audience scores ever recorded on Rotten Tomatoes, earning nearly 98% from 271 critics and 97% from more than 5,000 verified viewers on their site. 

According to IMDb, Sinners dominated the U.S. box office with an impressive debut of over $48 million, exceeding expectations and outshining other major releases such as Minecraft. Its global box office earnings have surpassed $63.5 million.

Ultimately, Sinners is a cinematic triumph that highlights Coogler’s masterful storytelling by using actual horrors in our history to not only make this vampire horror more thrilling but also to teach viewers about a shared cultural experience. Through a combination of gripping performances, well-timed jump scares, and powerful symbolism, Sinners is a must-see in theaters, especially for horror fans craving something bold and original.